HomeMy WebLinkAboutWATERGLEN PUD - FINAL - 71 93B - LEGAL DOCS - PRIVATE ENTITIESHASLER, FONFARA AND MAXWELL
ATTORNEYS AT LAW City of Fort Collins
August 22, 1994
Page 3
Waterglen PUD. It is my client's position that its responses to
the above concerns constitute more than adequate provision for
dealing with the Irrigation Company's legitimate concerns. To go
beyond those measures proposed by the developer would be to allow
the Irrigation Company to have far greater impact on adjacent
development (and set precedents for future development), than
would be appropriate. If you have any questions regarding the
above, please feel free to contact the undesigned.
Sincerely,
M HAEL A. AELL
MAM/am
cc: Mr. William W. Reynolds
Mr. Gerald P. Lee
Mr. Eldon Ward
HASLER, FONFARA AND MAXWELL
ATNRNEVS AT LAW City of Fort Collins
August 22, 1994
Page 2
place that burden on adjacent property owners. In any event, my
client believes that constructing such a fence would increase
rather than decrease safety concerns. It is virtually impossible
to construct an impenetrable fence, and children could easily
climb the fence and not be visible from the property development
side of the fence. In addition, it would be necessary to put
gaps in the fence for such things as Anheuser Busch's overflow
ditch, which would provide other ready access to children who
would not be visible from the development side of the fence. The
Irrigation Company is als6.concerned about the ditch providing a
convenient dumping ground for grass, clippings and other debris.
It is my client's belief and experience that installing a fence
would increase this problem since grass, clippings and debris
would be dumped and not be visible from the development.
4. My client has no objection to noting on the Plat that
neither the developer, owner or residents of the development have
the right to access the ditch or use the area for any purpose and
that they are not to use the ditch maintenance road. However,
any such note must be subject to the possibility of the City
and/or the developer obtaining right-of-way for a pedestrian
bridge across the ditch and/or maintenance road, for access to
the future city park. Any bridge constructed in connection
therewith should meet the usual Irrigation Company standards and
specifications for ditch crossings.
5. The developer acknowledges that there are potential
seepage concerns in parts of the proposed development, and that
homes built in those portions of the development about which the
Irrigation Company has expressed concerns will in all likelihood
not include basements. While design and engineering has not yet
been completed, the developer's design and engineering will take
into account water levels and provide appropriate safeguards to
protect future residents'including the possibility of toe drains
and/or perimeter drains. However, it does not appear likely that
lining the ditch would be feasible, particularly since continuing
seepage from the ditch is the apparent source of water for the
Cooper Slough Wetlands, which we assume the City desires to
maintain in place. The developer believes that it should retain
the flexibility of devising an appropriately designed and
engineered method of dealing with any potential problems, based
upon such further testing as the developer deems appropriate in
order to determine the extent of potential problems.
Generally speaking, the developer wishes to work closely
with all property owners in the area, including the Irrigation
Company. However, the Irrigation Company's legal interests do
not extend to the point of imposing drastic requirements or
conditions on development of adjacent property, including
HASLER, FONFARA AND MAXWELL
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Sixth Floor, Key Bank Building
125 South Howes Street
TIMOTHY W. HASLER
Fort Collins, Colorado 80521
MAILING ADDRESS:
JOSEPH H. FONFARA
POST OFFICE BOX 2267
MICHAEL A. MAXWELL
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80522
AMY S. ETSCHEID
TELEPHONE (303) 493.5070
TELECOPIER (303) 483-8703
August 22, 1994
City of Fort Collins
Planning Department
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
Re: Waterglen PUD
Gentlemen:
This law firm represents Vine., Street -Partnership which is
the owner of the property which is the subject matter of the
above -referenced application -`for PUD approval. We have been
asked to respond to -the issues raised in the letter -dated
November 11, 1993, from Tim Dow on behalf of Larimer and Weld
Irrigation Company, particularly as,it pertains.to The Eaton
Ditch. The paragraphs below *Areā¢numbered so as to correspond to
the numbers assigned to the various issues as discussed in Mr.
Dow's letter.
1. My client does not dispute the Irrigation Company's
need for access to its maintenance road, and is agreeable to
including a note on the Plat providing for access over Waterglen
Drive to the ditch maintenance road. However, the Irrigation
Company should remain responsible for any damage which its use
might cause (such as damaged caused by moving heavy equipment
through the development).
2. The developer has proposed that the Irrigation
Company's easement be inclusive of the westerly and/or northerly
100 feet of the property, rather than 25 feet from the top of the
ditch bank. It is my client's belief that its proposal more
clearly defines the location of the Irrigation Company's rights
and easements, and if anything is generally.more inclusive than
the Irrigation Company's proposal. This should also be more in.
line with the Irrigation Company's granted.easement, which is
fifty (50), feet on either side of the center 1ine.,.of.,.the ditch.
3. --It-is my clientId'position- that the requirement for
constructing a solid. wood fence is inappropriate and :highly
unusual. While the Irrigation Company may'have. rights .to exclude
others from trespassing on its property,"it'is not appropriate to