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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUNSHINE HOUSE FC EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY - PDP/FDP - FDP130041 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PLANNING OBJECTIVESPage 1 October 9, 2013 Sunshine House FC - #139 Early Learning Academy Statement of Planning Objectives The proposed Sunshine House Early Learning Academy is to be located in Tract A of the Grove at Fort Collins, at the southwest corner of Centre Avenue and Botanical Lane. The intent of the project is to construct a new child care facility on the northern half of the parcel. The surrounding infrastructure, utilities, street paving, and parking are all in place from the construction of the Grove. The new building is intended to replace an existing facility leased for 15 years by Sunshine House which is currently located on the CSU campus. That facility will be closed in order for the university to facilitate new student housing construction. Although priority is given to CSU faculty, students and staff, this facility will be open to the Fort Collins community. Sunshine House operates several locations in Colorado, including Colorado Springs, Loveland and Greeley. The Sunshine House also has outgrown its existing facility and will operate the new facility designed and built for an enrollment of 125-150 FTE children. The new center will provide a program of play and learning activities for children ages six weeks to 12 years. Hours of operation will be from 6:30 am to 6 pm, M-F. The 1.95-acre site is in the E zoning district. According to the Purpose Statement contained within Article 4 of the Land Use Code, “The Employment District is intended to provide locations for a variety of workplaces including light industrial uses, research and development activities, offices and institutions. This District also is intended to accommodate secondary uses that complement or support the primary workplace uses, such as hotels, restaurants, convenience shopping, child care and housing.” The areas adjacent the project contain student housing (The Grove), government offices (NRRC Campus), and The Gardens on Spring Creek. The site is ideal for this type of use as it provides a service that is in a convenient and centrally-located location. There is an existing transit stop on directly across Centre Avenue and the project is providing a pad for a stop on the west side of Centre. There are bike lanes in Centre Avenue and the Spring Creek Bike Trail is close to the site. In addition, there are ample resources for the Sunshine House to tap into, such as the Gardens on Spring Creek, the bike trails, and Rolland Moore Park. (i) Statement of appropriate City Plan Principles and Policies achieved by the proposed plan: This proposal meets the applicable City Plan Principles and Policies: Employment Districts Principle LIV 38: Employment Districts will be the major employment centers in the community, and will also include a variety of complementary uses to meet the needs of employees. By design, they Page 2 will be accessible to the City’s multimodal transportation system and encourage walking, bicycling, car and van pooling, and transit use. Policy LIV 38.1 - Mix of Uses Policy LIV 38.5 – Coordinate District Design Policy LIV 38.10 – Link to Transit Centre Avenue, the Spring Creek trail and the nearby MAX BRT all will help promote and encourage the use of multi-modal transportation. Child care centers are identified several times in City Plan to be an ideal supporting use for employment districts. Transportation Principle T 8: Transportation that provides opportunities for residents to lead healthy and active lifestyles will be promoted. Policy T 8.1 – Support Active Transportation Policy T 8.2 – Design for Active Living The location of the new facility will support active lifestyles by providing on- street sidewalks, designated bike lanes, bike and walking trails. Principle T 9: Enhanced Travel Corridors will contain amenities and designs that specifically promote walking, the use of mass transit, and bicycling. Policy T 9.1 – Locating Enhanced Travel Corridors The project is located within walking distance to the MAX Bus Rapid Transit. Principle T10: Using transit will be a safe, affordable, easy, and convenient mobility option for all ages and abilities. Policy T 10.1 – Transit Stops There is an existing transit stop on Centre Avenue, as well as the project providing a transit stop on-site. Principle T11: Bicycling will be a safe, easy, and convenient mobility option for all ages and abilities The location of Sunshine House Early Learning Academy will promote and support the idea of the employees and clients to utilize alternative modes of transportation (walking/biking) or public transportation. There are bike lanes and sidewalks on all of the public streets. (ii) Description of proposed open space, wetlands, natural habitats and features, landscaping, circulation, transition areas, and associated buffering on site and in the general vicinity of the project. There are no wetlands or significant natural habitats within the boundaries of the site. However, a small wetland has occurred historically. The wetland will be replaced in-kind in an off-site location due to a financial donation from the developer. Page 3 (iii) Statement of proposed ownership and maintenance of public and private open space areas; applicant's intentions with regard to future ownership of all or portions of the project development plan. The facility will be constructed and owned by CSURF and will be leased to the Sunshine House. (iv) Estimate of number of employees for business, commercial, and industrial uses. 25-30 (v) Description of rationale behind the assumptions and choices made by the applicant. At this time the project is not proposing any variance from the City of Fort Collins criteria. (vi) The applicant shall submit as evidence of successful completion of the applicable criteria, the completed documents pursuant to these regulations for each proposed use. The planning Director may require, or the applicant may choose to submit, evidence that is beyond what is required in that section. Any variance from the criteria shall be described. At this time the project is not proposing any variance from the City of Fort Collins criteria. (vii) Narrative description of how conflicts between land uses or disturbances to wetlands, natural habitats and features and or wildlife are being avoided to the maximum extent feasible or are mitigated. There are not existing wetlands, natural habitats or features currently located on site. See above. (viii) Written narrative addressing each concern/issue raised at the neighborhood meeting(s), if a meeting has been held. There was a neighborhood meeting held on 9.26.13 and no neighbors were in attendance. (ix) Name of the project as well as any previous name the project may have had during Conceptual Review. The project is called Sunshine House FC - #138 Early Learning Academy. The project was called 2060 Perennial Ln – Child Care Center at Conceptual Review.