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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFORT COLLINS INTEGRATED RECYCLE CENTER - PDP - PDP130020 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PLANNING OBJECTIVESland planning  landscape architecture  urban design  entitlement Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 200  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.vfrdesigninc.com June 12, 2013 Ms. Lindsay Ex Community Development and Neighborhood Services 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Center Planning Objectives Project Vision: The City of Fort Collins Environmental Services Department is planning to relocated their current recycle center at 1702 Riverside to a new location located on the west side of Timberline Road, approximately ¼ mile south of the intersection of East Prospect Road and South Timberline Road, and just south of the PRPA substation. This new location is planned to take the current Riverside recycle program and expand services to bolster the City’s Road Zero Waste goals. The City has a goal of diverting half of its waste from landfills. The City began the Rivendell Recycling Drop-off Facility in 2002 for common recyclables such as cardboard, paper, glass bottles, etc. but realized there is a need for a one-stop facility that could also intake harder-to-recycle materials. The new facility will be known as the “Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility”, and will operate on a 3.7 acre site located within a 30 acre (city-owned) parcel. The site is owned and maintained by the city of Fort Collins. The Fort Collins Parks Department and Light & Power Utilities Department have controlling ownership of the parcel area where the new facility will locate, and have arranged a lease agreement with Environmental Services for their facility. The facility recycle operations will be contracted to a private vendor. 1 to 3 contracted employees are expected to manage the recycling operations of the site, including operation of the fee-drop gate-house, forklifts, haul away, cleanup, etc. A vendor will also be responsible for haul-away of the materials to appropriate businesses and processing/recycling facilities. The expanded facility program includes a free-drop area, fee-drop area and special materials area. The free-drop area will accept cardboard, paper, commingled containers, news paper and clothing. The added fee-drop area will accept construction materials, metal, yard waste, e-waste, batteries, paints, oil and antifreeze. A Hazardous Materials Impact Analysis will guide the safe storage, handling of these items, and plan for emergency spill containment. The special material areas will also provide free landscape mulch for take home use; high grade trees logs for woodworkers and firewood; and special containment area for glass from community breweries and restaurants. There are no permanent structures anticipated with the exception of a maximum 120 square foot shed or trailer, where fee collection entrance management to the fee-drop area will occur. Employee restroom facilities will be provided by port-a-let service and part of the vendor contract. In 2015 there will be future lane widening project anticipated for Timberline Road and the site design takes in account the extent of this build out. No acceleration/deceleration lanes area anticipated at the site entrance do to the level of service the site will demand. The entrance to the site will be a shared City of Fort Collins Integrated Recycling Center Planning Objectives June 30, 2013 Page 2 of 2 Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 200  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.vfrdesigninc.com access with the PRPA substation at the current substation access location. This access will provide ¾ movement, with the left-out turning movement prohibited. A second drive connection at the southwest corner of the fee-drop area is also being negotiated with the south property owner to allow recycle transport cart-off trucks opportunities to take loads south to Joseph Allen Drive and the full movement light at Nancy Gray Avenue and Timberline. The internal site circulation has been designed to accommodate semi-truck and emergency vehicle turning movements. An emergency access easement is included from the Timberline entrance, across the center of the site and through the fee-drop yard (with gate actuation in between) for emergency vehicle access. The main drive will be 28 feet wide with 4’ striped shoulders for pedestrians and bikes. The site design is divided in sections to allow the slope of the site to work with the planned operations. By grading into the site and utilizing excess soil from the grading for berms, the views of parking, drives and storage/handling operations are buffered to Timberline. Additional site lowering will generate more fill than can be handled by current berm locations. Some allowance for undisturbed areas are needed along the Timberline frontage to allow for the relocation of existing trees. Site detention is located at the lower (northern) edge of the site with bio-swale and rain gardens making connections from above hardscape areas. The free-drop area recycle containers are worked into a grade separation to allow accessible access to container openings. Swales and landscape buffers screen views of containers and provide bio-retention/rain garden opportunities. The landscape site design utilizes native plant material throughout, which keeps water resource demand very low; and with the spade relocation/re-use of existing large trees, the site will maintain some amount of mature habitat within the surrounding open space. Fencing will be utilized to control access to the free-drop container storage and fee-drop public approach. The Parks Department fence will be re-aligned to accommodate the new site design, but remain fully fenced to secure their storage facility. The north side property fence will be preserved as-is. The site entrance will be gated to limit off hour access, but will employ PRPA controlled access override for emergency entrance. The site recycling operation practices coupled with the container storage equipment will focus on limiting open storage exposure of materials to reduce subsequent debris blowing from the site. Free-drop area containers will have lids and restricted openings that limit debris blowing from the site. Similarly, the fee- drop area will be tended by vender(s) that will ensure material is managed from client to roll-off container, and from roll-off container to regional facility. Covered loads will be required (fines and/or added service charges for uncovered loads similar to County landfill operations) for client and vendor vehicles will be enforced to further reduce debris impacts on surrounding areas. There will not be composing at this facility. Yard waste that is dropped at the fee-drop area will be moved from client to roll-off container. Filled roll-off containers will be taken to regional facilities to be ground to compost. Likewise, metals and aggregates will be moved to roll-off container and taken from the site for processing. Sincerely, Daman Holland, RLA, ASLA RIPLEY DESIGN INC. land planning  landscape architecture  urban design  entitlement Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 100  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.ripleydesigninc.com June 12, 2013 Integrated Recycling Facility Project Development Plan (PDP) is supported by the following Principles and Policies found in City Plan Fort Collins Adopted February 15, 2011 ECONOMIC HEALTH Principle EH 1: The City will pursue development of a vibrant and resilient economy that reflects the values of our unique community in a changing world. Although managed by the city, the Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility operations will be performed by private contractor. The Center will facilitate moving recyclable materials into the recycle market where they will generate revenue by sale and reuse. The Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility will help the community divert unneeded waste from the landfill, while promoting a more sustainable opportunities dealing with domestic materials. Policy EH 1.1 – Support Job Creation Support the enhancement of the community’s economic base and job creation by focusing on retention, expansion, incubation, and recruitment efforts that bring jobs and import income or dollars to the community, particularly businesses in the adopted Target Industry Clusters. Policy EH 1.2 – Prioritize Essential Infrastructure/Capital Facilities Prioritize investment in infrastructure that supports economic health activities within the constraints of City financial resources and that satisfies the triple bottom line objectives of the community. Principle EH 2: The City will support the growth of the innovation economy to set the stage for business development, job creation, and a thriving entrepreneurial environment. The Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility PDP aids to support citizen participation in the recycle industry (with the assumption that the recycling industry is an innovative economy). Fort Collins Integrated Recycling Facility City Plan – Principles and Policies Page 2 of 6 Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 100  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.ripleydesigninc.com Policy EH 2.2 – Support an Innovative Economy Support a regional innovation ecosystem that fuels business development and job creation by leveraging local assets including human capital, research institutions, industrial base, physical infrastructure, and quality of life. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Principle ENV 1: Within the developed landscape of Fort Collins, natural habitat/ecosystems (wildlife, wetlands, and riparian areas) will be protected and enhanced. The natural features of the site will be enhanced with native grasses, trees and shrubs. All non- hazardous existing trees will be protected and/or spade-relocated -maintaining their size advantage for screening and wildlife habitat. Policy ENV 1.1 – Protect and Enhance Natural Features Use regulatory powers to conserve, protect, and enhance the resources and values of high value biological resources such as wetlands, riparian areas, and wildlife habitat by directing development away from sensitive natural areas. When it is not possible to direct development away from sensitive natural resources the development will be integrated into these areas to minimize impacts and mitigate any losses. Principle ENV 4: The City will pursue new opportunities to provide multifunctional open lands. Portions of the project’s stormwater detention and open space area will be utilized by the City Parks Department to provide a disk golf course for public use. Policy ENV 4.1 – Improve Connectivity Explore opportunities for land conservation partnerships between Stormwater, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, and Natural Areas departments to provide and enhance trail corridors to connect open lands, to enhance wildlife habitat and corridors, and to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to schools, parks, natural areas, rivers, shopping areas, and neighborhoods. Principle ENV 8: Continually improve Fort Collins’ air quality. Policy ENV 8.6 – Prevent Pollution Promote prevention of air pollution at its source as the highest priority approach in reducing air pollution emissions. The Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility will be a closer, more convenient location than the Larimer County landfill for a large segment of the City, reducing transportation resources and resulting emissions. Recycled materials will be placed directly into collection bins, limiting exposure to the environmental factors. No, composting facilities are planned and materials such as pesticides are not accepted. Fort Collins Integrated Recycling Facility City Plan – Principles and Policies Page 3 of 6 Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 100  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.ripleydesigninc.com Principle ENV 15: The City will recognize that discarded materials, such as recyclable commodities, reusable products, and organics, can be economic resources for the community. The Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility will provide drop-off and pickup opportunities for quality wood (woodworking), landscape mulch and house hold yard waste. These provide local re-use opportunities and divert potential material from local the landfill. Principle ENV 16: The City will collaborate with other organizations to develop infrastructure that will accommodate larger quantities of discarded materials, such as recyclable commodities, organics, and hazardous waste, for appropriate processing and that will reduce shipping distances. The Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility PDP will provide free drop-off services for paper, plastics, containers, newspaper, cardboard and clothing; and pay drop-off services for difficult to dispose of items such as bulk metal, aggregates, electronics, house-hold paints and chemicals (excluding pesticides). Materials are aggregated categorically and distributed to surrounding handling facilities. Principle ENV 17: The City will act as a steward of the environment and public health by using its regulatory authority. The Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility is a fundamental part of the City’s 2006 Strategic Plan for 50% Waste Reduction, 2009 Sustainability Action Plan, Climate Action Plan and Fort Collins City Plan. The facility is part of a deliberate effort to aid the community to divert unneeded waste from the landfill, while promoting a more sustainable opportunities dealing with domestic materials. In addition to accepting and diverting more common consumer products, the Facility will accept construction waste (e.g. aggregates, wood, and drywall). This will aid reducing construction waste as the community changes and grows. Policy ENV 17.4 – Construction Waste Reduction Encourage activities that help divert debris from construction-related activities. Explore the feasibility of requiring any City-subsidized projects to employ reduction and solid waste diversion practices that reduce the volume of material sent from city construction sites to landfills for disposal. COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY Principle LIV 1: City development will be contained by well-defined boundaries that will be managed using various tools including utilization of a Growth Management Area, community coordination, and Intergovernmental Agreements. Principle LIV 3: The City will coordinate facilities and services with the timing and location of development and ensure that development only occurs where it can be adequately served. Fort Collins Integrated Recycling Facility City Plan – Principles and Policies Page 4 of 6 Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 100  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.ripleydesigninc.com The Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility PDP is located within the City’s Growth Management Area where it can be adequately served by streets, utilities and urban services. Principle LIV12: Security and crime prevention will be important factors in urban design. The Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility PDP will provide a full, code reviewed lighting design. Special lighting attention is given to the drop-off bin areas, making sure hidden areas receive adequate illumination. Additionally, lighting will be full cut-off to avoid nuisance lighting to the night sky and surrounding neighborhoods. The landscape buffering between the site and Timberline Road utilizes predominately relocated mature trees that allow understory view site lines. Space between trees is provided for plant growth and views. An important part of site security is to provide additional uses that may invite social policing. The site will have a disc golf course on the east and north sides that will provide additional surveillance opportunities. Policy LIV 12.1 – Design for Crime Prevention and Security Employ a natural approach to crime prevention through the design and layout of new development. Natural crime prevention means the natural community surveillance that results from visibility and observation by citizens who feel a sense of ownership of the community. Foster these qualities through urban design and development patterns, avoiding and addressing hidden areas and those difficult to access. Policy LIV 12.2 – Utilize Security Lighting and Landscaping Provide security lighting at low, even levels to create comfortable area-wide visibility and pedestrian security, not highly contrasting bright spots and shadows. Design landscaping to avoid hidden areas, particularly where such areas may be used at night, such as near building approaches and entrances, transit stops and stations. Principle LIV 14: Require quality and ecologically sound landscape design practices for all public and private development projects throughout the community. The landscape design is intended to be compatible and build on the sustainable themes set forth by the recycle facility. This design celebrates a Northern Colorado landscape: utilizing proven native plants in interesting naturalized patterns, mixing changing textures, colors and forms, while requiring minimal water resources. Policy LIV 14.1 – Encourage Unique Landscape Features In addition to protecting existing natural features, encourage integration of unique landscape features into the design and architecture of development and capital projects. These unique features may range from informal and naturalized to highly structured and maintained features. Some examples include tree groves within a project, stormwater facilities that become naturalized over time, walls with vines, drainageway enhancements, and other small, uniquely landscaped spaces. Policy LIV 14.2 – Promote Functional Landscape Incorporate practical solutions to ensure a landscape design is functional in providing such elements as natural setting, visual appeal, shade, foundation edge to buildings, screening, edible landscapes, buffers, safety, and enhancement of built environment. Consider and address practical details such as sight distance requirements and long-term maintenance in landscape design. Fort Collins Integrated Recycling Facility City Plan – Principles and Policies Page 5 of 6 Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 100  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.ripleydesigninc.com Policy LIV 14.3 – Design Low Maintenance Landscapes Design new landscaping projects based on maintainability over the life cycle of the project using proper soil amendment and ground preparation practices, as well as the appropriate use of hardscape elements, trees, mulches, turf grass, other plant materials, and irrigation systems. Low maintenance practices can be achieved in both turf and non-turf planting areas, provided these areas are designed and installed to minimize weeds, erosion and repairs. Principle LIV 19: The City Structure Plan Map establishes the desired development pattern for the City, serving as a blueprint for the community’s desired future. The Fort Collins Integrated Recycle Facility PDP is located in an industrial zone. Required setbacks are provided from Timberline Road and east MMN neighborhoods to reduce visual impacts. Policy LIV 19.1 – Land Use Designations Utilize the City Structure Plan Map to set forth a basic framework, representing a guide for future land use and transportation decisions. SAFETY AND WELLNESS Principle SW 1: The City will foster a safe community. Close attention to traffic and pedestrian flow has been addressed in the site design. Access to the site will partner with current access to the utility substation to eliminate added roadway cuts to Timberline. An access gate will be provided to provide after hour security for the site. Driveway fronting the access gate will allow exiting traffic from Timberline to avoid blocking conflicts on Timberline when the facility is closed. The facility roadway width and turning radii layout is designed to accommodate the semi-sized trucks that will move recycle commodities to handling facilities, as well as smaller vehicles to the two recycle drop-off areas. The main drive will be 28 feet wide and striped on each side with a 4 foot shoulder/lane to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian traffic. The free drop-off area (news paper, paper, plastic, glass) is kept to a one-way traffic flow layout to reduce pedestrian car conflicts. Past experience with two-way traffic flow in this type of area has been found to add to pedestrian/vehicle congestion and conflicts. The phase 1 parking area will include 13 standard spaces and 1 handicap space on the lot’s north side. Phase 2 will include 15 parking spaces on the south side of the lot with the addition of 6 future recycle bins. The recycle bin area is separated from the parking/public access area by a 4 foot retaining wall. This grade separation provides an accessible route between the parking to the recycle bins. Fencing and lighting are added to provide site safety and security. Security gates at the site entrance and the for pay drop-off area are used to restrict access to the site during closed periods of operation and restrict uncontrolled dumping. Site operations will be managed by on- site contractor. Policy SW 1.5 - Maintain Public Safety through Design Provide a sense of security and safety within buildings,parking areas, walkways, alleys, bike lanes, public spaces, and streets through environmental design considerations, such as adequate lighting, visibility, Fort Collins Integrated Recycling Facility City Plan – Principles and Policies Page 6 of 6 Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 401 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 100  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662  www.ripleydesigninc.com maintained landscaping, and location of facilities. (Also see the Community and Neighborhood Livability chapter’s Community Appearance and Design section). TRANSPORTATION Principle T 12: The pedestrian network will provide a safe, easy, and convenient mobility option for all ages and abilities. Policy T 12.1 – Connections Direct pedestrian connections will be provided from places of residence to transit, schools, activity centers, work, and public facilities. Policy T 12.2 – Pedestrian Network Develop a complete pedestrian network in ETCs and Activity Centers. Policy T 12.3 – Pedestrian Plan The adopted pedestrian plan will be considered in the development of all transportation projects. Policy T 12.4 – ADA Compliance Pedestrian facilities will comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Policy T 12.5 – Safe and Secure Develop safe and secure pedestrian settings by developing and maintaining a well-lit, inhabited pedestrian network and by mitigating the impacts of vehicles. Connections will be clearly visible and accessible, incorporating markings, signage, lighting, and paving materials. Policy T 12.6 – Street Crossings Design street crossings at intersections consistent with Fort Collins Traffic Code, Land Use Code, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards with regard to crosswalks, lighting, median refuges, corner sidewalk widening, ramps, signs, signals, and landscaping. Policy T 12.7 – Safety of School Children Safety of children going to/from school will be a priority for the City. Principle T 16: The transportation system will be managed to minimize environmental impacts. Policy T 16.1 – Roadway Design Design the transportation system to minimize stopping, starting, and idling. Principle T 17: The transportation system will be managed to provide effective automobile mobility and access. Principle T 18: The transportation system will be managed to provide safe travel conditions. Principle T 19: The transportation system will be adequate for the movement of goods and people.