Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWATERGLEN PUD - FINAL - 71 93B - CORRESPONDENCE - PROJECT NARRATIVEurban design, inc. October 24, 1994 The Waterglen Final PUD was approved by the Planning and Zoning Board with the above provisions regarding the Cooper Slough Natural Area. The City Staff report presented to the P&Z Board specifically stated that the conditions of Preliminary approval regarding the Cooper Slough Natural Area had been met. The Waterglen PUD plans were continually reviewed in extreme detail by the Department of Natural Resources throughout the planning process. Every version of the plan submitted to the City noted our understanding that the area was to be acquired by the City and/or CDOW, as we had been informed by Tom Shoemaker in December of 1993, and confirmed by the City Manager in February of. 1994. At no time throughout the planning review process did we receive any indication from Natural Resources that they did not intend to acquire the natural area. y coM@@o urban design, inc. April 23, 1994 Dr. Delwin E. Benson provided a report supporting the plan for the Cooper Slough Natural Area, and providing suggestions for methods to further enhance the wildlife habitat. This report was acceptable to Natural Resources, and they supported the P&Z Board's approval of the Preliminary PUD on April 25th. April 25, 1994 The approved Preliminary PUD indicated a "360' to 500' corridor for the Cooper slough, and included the note: The Cooper Slough natural area (25.5 ac. ±) is proposed to be purchased by the Department of Natural Resources and/or the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Improvements to the nature area, improved wetlands habitat, and other enhancements to this natural area maybe accomplished through joint efforts of Natural Resources, CDOW, community service groups, and Waterglen. Storm Drainage detention, irrigation storage, and water quality functions maybe integrated into this area. June 10, 1994 As requested by Natural Resources, details of the proposed size and design treatment of the Cooper Slough Natural Area were provided to Jim Ringleman of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. June 16, 1994 We received written confirmation from Karen Manci of -Natural - Resources, that both the City Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Wildlife had accepted our preliminary plans for the Natural Area. July 18, 1994 Final PUD plans including a 26.3 ± acre Cooper Slough Natural Area were submitted to the .City. August 3, 1994 City Staff comments regarding the Final PUD included detailed comments from Natural Resources regarding specific plant materials to be used in order for the natural area to be acceptable to them. October 5, 1994 Revised Final PUD plans were submitted to the City including numerous notes - requested by Natural Resources - regarding installation, maintenance, and management of the Cooper Slough Natural Area; and the specific note: The Cooper Slough natural area (26.3 ac. ±) is anticipated to be purchased by the Department of Natural Resources and/or the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Storm Drainage detention, irrigation storage, and water quality functions maybe integrated into this area. and: .. It is anticipated that the Waterglen portion of the Cooper Slough natural area is to be classified as a combination of "sensitive " (the existing 7 acre wetland), and "urban" (the 18.3 acre buffer.area added to the existing slough), upon acquisition by the City of Fort Collins. r, COn@@o urban design, inc. Dec. 16, 1993 The ODP and Preliminary PUD were significantly revised to expand the Cooper Slough Natural Area to 26.7 acres, and resubmitted to the City with a letter including the following: After meeting on site with Tom Shoemaker and reviewing the comments from the Division of Wildlife, we have revised our plans to create an expanded open space corridor (typically 400' to 500' wide) through the site along the Cooper Slough. It is our understanding that this 26.7 acre parcel is to be purchased by the City of Fort Collins and/or the Colorado Division of Wildlife In order to accommodate the City's request to acquire a larger natural area along the Cooper Slough, all the previously planned industrial sites along 1-25 had to be eliminated in order to keep enough residential area to meet the project's goals. This was done specifically because of our understanding that the City intended to buy the natural area.. Feb. 14, 1994 In his letter responding to our letter of December 2nd, City Manager Steve Burkett responded to our "Request that .City purchase approximately 27 acres of Cooper. Slough Natura/Area on the Waterglen site; and that the City work with the developer to integrate one or more water quality/detention ponds into a portion of the slough as a demonstration project for creation of an enhanced wetland wildlife habitat compatible with urban development. "with the following: Yes, with Conditions. Natural Resources is willing to pursue the option of purchasing that portion of land that buffers the Cooper Slough natural area and proposed development. The purchase price would be an agreed upon fair market value. Feb. 24, 1994 We were given a copy of a January 28th Memo from Natural Resources to City Planning, indicating their requirements for acceptance of the natural area. March 24, 1994 A letter from the Reynolds Companies to Tom Shoemaker indicates a willingness to sell 26.7 acres at price of $7,500/acre, and that, "Should Natural Resources require more than 26.7 acres, causing deletion of more lots for development, Vine Street Partnership would expect the City to pay for its proportionate share of the off -site street improvements, as well as for infrastructure costs based upon its frontage." April 4, 1994 A letter from Love & Associates confirmed to the City that "The ... enclosed report by Groundwater Specialists quantifies that the water quality, water quantity, water temperature, and hydrology will not adversely impact the Cooper Slough or its associated wetlands. The developer is willing to consider either permanent pool open water, wetland bottom or dry bottom detention ponds...., in order to enhance wildlife habitat within the proposed development. " 4 MEMORANDUM CO urban design, inc. 3555 stanford road, suite 105 fort Collins, Colorado 80525 (970) 226-4074 FAX (970) 226-4196 TO: Rick Woodruff, W. W. Reynolds Companies Mike Maxwell, Hasler, Fonfara, and Maxwell �// FROM: Eldon Ward, Cityscape Urban Design, Inc. r,/V DATE: November 15, 1996 RE: Waterglen PUD - Cooper Slough PROJECT #: 6552 (6552ME48) The history of the planning and discussions with the City of Fort Collins regarding the Cooper Slough Natural Area is summarized below: Sept. 7, 1993 Schematic plan presented at Conceptual Review included preservation of the 7± acre Cooper Slough wetland area. Sept. 8, 1993 City Staff's comments from Conceptual Review meeting stated: The Department of Natural Resources may be interested in acquisition of those areas of the Cooper Slough that provide wildlife habitat values. Please contact Tom Shoemaker..... Sept. 27, 1993 ODP and Preliminary PUD submitted indicating preservation of a 9.85± acre area including the Cooper Slough and adjacent wetlands and open space. Nov. 15, 1993 City Staff comments regarding the proposed Waterglen. ODP and Preliminary PUD stated: a. The applicant needs to discuss this project with Tom Shoemaker of N. R. and the Colorado Department of Wildlife. Both agencies have this site classified as high priority for acquisition, primarily because of its value for waterfowl nesting and feeding area. The CDOW is presently reviewing the plan. A meeting between the applicant and these agencies should occur as soon as possible. Acquisition interest includes not only the Cooper Slough itself but also the upland habitat. Dec. 2, 1993 In a letter to City Manager Steve Burkett, we requested clarification of a number of items, including Natural Resources commitment to purchase the Cooper Slough area. Dec. 7, 1993 At an on -site meeting, Tom Shoemaker indicated that the DOW was not able to attend, but that he would pass on the results of our meeting. Tom stated that Natural Resources would like to purchase a larger area, (35± acres) including as much of the area between the slough and the ditch to the west as possible.