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Home My WebLink AboutCSU STUDENT HOUSING UNIVERSITY VILLAGE EXPANSION ADVISORY REVIEW - 20 93 - CORRESPONDENCE - CORRESPONDENCE-NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGColorado State University or City of Fort Collins Responses July 9, 1993 CSU initiated the planning for this project in August, 1992, worked with the city in the fall of 1992, and held the first neighborhood meeting on October 19, 1992. Up until the time that the bonds were actually issued in November 1992, stopping this project or major modification of this project were options. Although there were a few people objecting to the project, the general reaction from the City and the community was positive. In fact, then and now, we believe that it is a public service project in the best interest of both the University and the Community. At this point in time, CSU is committed to the project moving forward. The final public meeting on this project was held Wednesday evening, June 30, 1993. CSU has carefully listened to all input on the project and has done its best to propose accommodations to meet those concerns. Feedback on some issues was very consistent, and in such cases changes were easy to identify. Feedback on several issues, however, represented viewpoints that were in conflict with each other, and in these cases compromises that meet everyone's needs are not possible. The responses listed above, to questions highlighted at the June 30 public meeting, represent the Vice President for Administrative Services recommendations on how to proceed with the project. Any questions or concerns with these recommendations should be addressed to the Vice President (Mr. Gerry Bomotti, Colorado State University, 309 Administration Building, Fort. Collins, CO 80523, 303-491-5257) by July 16, 1993. The Vice President will provide immediate feedback to the individual questions and indicate what changes, if any, are recommended for the project. Anyone not satisfied with the response from the Vice President should request a meeting with him in an effort toward further consideration and, hopefully, resolution. In the event that there ; continue to be concerns after pursuing them fully with the Vice President, appeal can be made in writing by July 21, 1993 to President Albert C. Yates, (Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523) who will respond expeditiously. Colorado State University, as defined in. -the constitution of the State, is governed by an appointed board of citizens, the State Board of Agriculture. The. public is welcome to bring issues to the attention of the State Board of Agriculture, and that option is certainly available to anyone who wishes to discuss concerns about the student housing project. Prior to groundbreaking, and after the review by President Yates of any concerns, everyone in attendance at the June 30 public meeting will receive an update as to what changes are being made in the project plan. 10 CSU initiated the planning for this project in August, 1992, worked with the city in the fall of 1992, and held the first neighborhood meeting on October 19, 1992. The final public meeting on this project was held Wednesday evening, June 30, 1993. CSU has carefully listened to all input on the project and done its best to propose accommodations to meet those concems.Design Development drawings were completed the first week in June. It was not practical to hold this neighborhood meeting until the review by the City and the University was complete. The economics of the project mandate that we proceed to complete the project at the earliest opportunity. Modification to the project except for major issues can still be made after the start of construction, i.e. landscape, street signs. 10. Alternative sites considered In September, 1992 when it became apparent there had developed a serious shortage of student family housing and a community -wide shortage of affordable housing, the consideration of how CSU could best respond to this widely publicized need focused on three potential areas for new housing development, as well as the possible renovation of an existing dormitory now longer in service, Green Hall. The Green Hall renovation option turned out to be more expensive than building new apartments, with the resulting units unsuited to today's student housing needs. Potential building site #1 was the vacant property along College between Pitkin Avenue and Lake Streets, and was not sufficiently large to accommodate a project of the necessary size. Additionally, this location is better suited for alternative long range uses by the University, and is farther from the support services of Housing and Food Services and convenience shopping. Site #2 was located west of Site #1, between Pitkin and Lake immediately south of existing student . housing; it is currently a commuting student parking lot. Site #2 has fewer of the disadvantages listed for site # 1, but is located in an area which is important in the future academic and research development of the University. Site #3 was the site that was selected and currently being planned. This site has been listed on the Colorado State University physical development master plan as a location for student apartment housing for more than three decades. The site fits into the land use policies of the immediate area, which includes both University and private student housing. 11. Colorado State University property tax issue Colorado State University, a comprehensive land-grant research institution, was founded in Fort Collins in 1870. Today CSU enrolls approximately 21,000 students, has about 1,600 faculty, and employs more than 6,000 other staff and professionals. This community of over 28,000 people serves the educational, research, and public service needs of the region, state and nation, as well as having programs that extend to the international arena. CSU is a state supported, public institution of higher education which attracts students, researchers, and industry from around the state and nation. CSU's externally attracted research funding, student fees and tuition, and conference and training activity bring in over four (4) times the annual income provided for its operation by the state. CSU does not pay local property taxes.. CSU's exemption from local property tax is established by Colorado Constitution and statute and is consistent with the treatment of other public lands, including parks, local schools, and state and federal facilities. CSU significantly benefits the city of Fort Collins in many economic, social and cultural ways, and CSU also derives many significant benefits from its location in, and association with, Fort Collins. This is a partnership that greatly enriches both CSU and Fort Collins, and at the same time provides unique challenges that require on going attention; cooperation, and mutual respect. 12. Colorado State University decision process 9 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY OR CITY OF FORT COLLINS RESPONSES TO THE ISSUES RELATED TO THE STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT July 9, 1993 The purpose of these responses is to group questions about similar topics, summarize the nature of the questions/comments, and provide a response from Colorado State University and/or the City of Fort Collins, as appropriate as to what is being planned at this point in time. I. Landscaping On the.NW site, a chain link fence is planned on the north boundary of the site. In response to comments received at the neighborhood meeting, additional trees will be planted along the north side of this site. The trees will be medium height and set back from the fence line to minimize shading the neighboring property. The landscape on the remainder of the property will be in keeping with the CSU master planning philosophy of trees and grass, similar to recent development on the main campus. In response to comments received at the last and previous meetings, the landscaping bordering the city streets will be designed and installed in accordance with the city standards. The canal was relocated to make potential development sites both to the east and to the west more usable. The landscaping and seeding of the area is not yet complete, but will be completed during this growing season. 2. Access to Skyline Drive Diverse and conflicting feedback was received on the access to Skyline Drive. The prevailing feeling from the staff of the City and CSU is that the connection is necessary. The current proposal to access Skyline at the North end of the NW site is still being planned. 3. East side of Skyline Drive sidewalk/bikepath The University will construct curb/gutter and sidewalk along the boundary between its property and the east edge of Skyline, and the City will be responsible for the same along the storm water detention area, south to Elizabeth. Some additional enforcement and better striping and marking of the bikepath planned by the city along the east edge of Skyline should reduce the parking in the bikepath. 4. Elizabeth Street Access from SE site The many comments about this issue have led us to plan signage that will allow no left turn. 5. Fire Station Response Route 6. General traffic problems in the area 7. Access to Moore School Note: Items 5-7 are responses from the City staff which will be forwarded when received from the City. 8. Comments on construction start date 8