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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWOODLAND STATION PUD - PRELIMINARY - 18-94B - CORRESPONDENCE - STAFF'S PROJECT COMMENTSexisting Intergovernmental Agreement, re -adopted in 1991. Enclosed please find a copy of page 12 of the I.G.A. which contains two paragraphs regarding the relationship between developing urban areas and existing rural properties. These two paragraphs indicate that a closer look needs to taken to the design treatment along the eastern edge of the P.U.D. Presently, it appears that the P.U.D. does not meet the intent of transitioning as stated in the I.G.A. It is recommended that the area of Lots 14 through 26 be re-examined for providing buffering and transition elements. If such treatment renders the P.U.D. to fall below 3.00 dwelling units per acre, then additional units could be made up by providing a multi -family element elsewhere on the property. Or, the applicant may request a variance from the minimum density requirement based on buffering requirements. It is suggested that the areas of Lots 37, 64 through 68 be investigated for possible increases in density. 18. Has any consideration been given to buffering along rear of Lots 27 through 37? Will this area feature a common perimeter fence or landscape treatment? Trees that are removed for streets and utilities could be transplanted to this area to establish a "soft" edge for the existing County residents. It will be recalled from the neighborhood meeting that there are compatibility issues between the City's urban density requirements and the existing County residential properties. 19. The P.U.D. should include an expanded note on the timing of extending Nite Court south to serve the project. This concludes Staff comments at this time. Please note the following deadlines for the October 24, 1994 Planning and Zoning Board hearing: Plan revisions are due Wednesday, October 5, 1994. P.M.T:'s, renderings, 10 prints are due October 17, 1994. As always, please feel free to call our office to discuss these comments or to set up a meeting to discuss the issues in depth. Sincerely: Ted Shepard Senior Planner xc: Bob Blanchard, Chief Planner Kerrie Ashbeck, Civil Engineer Encl. 11. Prior to the utility coordination meeting, the City Forester should be contacted to set up a time for a site inspection. The extensive trees should be evaluated. Tree protection specifications should be added to the P.U.D. to protect against overlot grading and construction. 12. Comments from Water and Wastewater Utility will be forthcoming under separate cover. In brief, there may be a problem with providing sewer services in that a lift station may required. Lift stations, in general, are not typically found in residential projects. The planning and engineering consultants should coordinate with Water and Wastewater regarding this sewer issue. 13. Detailed comments from Stormwater Utility will also be forthcoming under separate cover. In brief, there may be significant issues with stormwater runoff being routed to the natural outfall point. Offsite drainage easements may need to be obtained from intervening property owners. Runoff onto or through intervening property owners must be of the same rate, manner, quality, and quantity as historic runoff. Also, there is a low point in the vicinity of the intersection of Melbourne Place and Canberra Circle that may need significant re -grading in order to have positive drainage. Also, the use of rear lot drainage channels may be an issue. Again, the planning and engineering consultants should coordinate with the City's Stormwater Utility to resolve these issues. 14. Lots 18 and 19 appear to require massive amounts of fill material in order to develop. It also appears that filling this area to gain buildable lots may impact the Thomas property. Please refer to All Development Criteria A-2.3 of the L.D.G.S. regarding minimum disturbance to topography. It may be necessary to delete these lots to satisfy the criterion. 15. The P.U.D. indicates that the existing trees, to the best practical extent, are to be preserved within easements located in the rear yards of the affected lots, and along County Road #9. It is recommended that these easements be upgraded to "Open Space Tracts" and dedicated to the common area under jurisdiction of the homeowner's association. Being part of a common area rather than part of individually platted lots will offer better long term protection for the trees. 16. The portion of the Hothan Street cul-de-sac that encroaches onto the Shields M.R.D. will require an offsite access easement .to be granted by the property owner. Such an easement will be required at the time of Final P.U.D. 17. Staff is concerned about the transition between urban densities and existing rural residential properties. It is recognized that there may a conflict between recently adopted growth management policies by the City Council and the easements and right-of-way dedication must be extended across the out parcel (existing home) south of Lot One. Several trees may need to be removed to facilitate installation of underground electric in the standard location between sidewalk and curb along County Road #9. It is suggested that a utility coordination meeting be held with the utility providers and the City Forester to determine location and impact of placing underground utilities. 3. The locations of streetlights along County Road #9 have been determined as indicated on the enclosed plan. Please place street trees in accordance with Light and Power specifications. 4. Public Service Company has the same problem as Light and Power. Traditional placement may be hindered by the existing trees. PSCo needs to extend a four inch diameter gas line along the western edge of this P.U.D. in an area that is as close to the back of sidewalk along County Road #9 as possible. This issue should be discussed at the utility coordination meeting. 5. U.S. West will require a 15" x 30' easement for three large telephone equipment cabinets in the general vicinity of the southwest corner of Lot 68. 6. Utility Plans should include existing telephone cables along the east side of South County #9. Any relocation of existing telephone facilities required by these plans will be paid for by the developer. 7. Columbine Cable Vision would like to work with the developer on installing cable main lines in a joint trench with U.S. West phone lines. 8. What will be the ownership status of the 30 foot wide easement that is the Thomas driveway? The plat indicates a 30 foot wide gap between the southern property line of Woodland Station and the north property line of the Preston -Kelley Subdivision. Is this driveway to be owned in fee simple ownership .by Thomas? Or, will the driveway remain an easement? If retained as an easement, who is the underlying owner? 9. Detailed comments from Engineering will be forthcoming under separate cover. In brief, County Road #9 needs to be designed with cross -sections and centerline and flowline profiles at final. Also, off -site information is needed to how proposed improvements tie into existing Nite Court. 10. The City of Fort Collins Police Department is concerned about the use of "Hothan" as a street name. This name is too similar sounding to "Hawthorn," an existing street in Fort Collins. It is suggested that another name be selected. Commu y Planning and Environmental _rvices Planning Department City of Fort Collins September 14, 1994 Mr. Eldon Ward Cityscape Urban Design 3555 Stanford Road, Suite 105 Fort Collins, CO 80525 Dear Eldon: Staff has reviewed the request for Preliminary P.U.D. for Woodland Station. The primary comment pertains to open space credit on Point Chart H. Other comments follow. 1. A key issue in processing a residential Preliminary P.U.D. on this parcel is the performance on the Residential Uses Point Chart (H) of the L.D.G.S. As you are aware, the City Council recently passed Ordinance 114-1994 on August 2, 1994, known as the "Interim Phasing Criteria" for residential development. This new ordinance requires residential developments to earn a minimum of 60 points on Point Chart H. As submitted, the P.U.D. attempts to gain these points by donation of a parcel of land to the City consisting of approximately 12 acres, located east of the Poudre Ridge. The Department of Natural Resources has inspected the property and has evaluated the merits of this donation. The proposed donation is a parcel that is not identified as a sensitive natural area. Based on a site inspection and evaluation by the Department of Natural Resources of the 12 acre parcel, the property does not meet City's criteria of meeting minimum requirements. Staff, therefore, cannot accept the granting of 30 points on criterion"n" of Point Chart H. This lowers the point score from 60 to 30, which is below the minimum threshold. It is recommended that unless suitable open space can be found that meets the criteria of the Department of Natural Resources or Parks and Recreation Department, the P.U.D. be continued indefinitely and not processed for the October 24, 1994 Planning and Zoning Board meeting. Both Planning and Natural Resources staff are willing to meet to discuss further options. 2. Light and Power remains concerned about serving the site from easements and right-of-way along County Road #9. At minimum, 281 North Colle-e Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (303) 221-6750