HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRAIRIE VILLAGE - MAJOR AMENDMENT - MJA140002 - REPORTS - PLANNING OBJECTIVESSTATEMENT OF PLANNING OBJECTIVES
The subject property, to be known as “Prairie Village”, is a suburban infill development designed
to utilize an undeveloped mixed use parcel that has attracted little market interest to date. The
current development plan for the parcel allows for 8,200 square feet of office/retail with 7
residential condominiums on the upper floor. The proposed plan would provide for eight (8) fee
simple residential townhome dwellings and associated common area. The proposed plan would
not utilize the office/retail use, due to limited demand within the project neighborhood. The
proposed plan meets dual needs in the City of Fort Collins housing base; it enhances the diversity
of residential product and provides a reasonably priced new home alternative.
The site is currently under contract subject to Development Plan and Final Plat approval.
The proposed use would include common areas for open space and drainage (20,000+ square
feet) with a common driveway access for six (6) of the units. Two (2) of the units will have
separate driveways. The development plan would include two buildings, with four units per
building. The community will be deed-restricted and subject to a Homeowner’s Association
responsible for maintenance of common area elements.
There are currently no wetlands or distinctive natural features on the site, which has been
partially developed and is mowed on a regular basis.
There are no existing structures on the site at this time. A portion of the site has been improved
with parking spaces and driveways servicing the adjoining shopping center and gas
station/convenience store.
The prior development plan for Lot 2 was previously approved with 40 parking spaces; 27 for
the commercial portion of the project, and 13 required parking space for the residential
condominiums. The proposed plan will allow for 16 garage parking spaces, 4 driveway parking
spaces and six off-street parking spaces along Fromme Prairie Road. Four (4) existing parking
spaces in the retail area will be lost for access to the common drive, but the overall number of
spaces will exceed the previous requirement. All of the commercial parking spaces currently
exist in a shared parking field with adjoining commercial landowners.
A private drive is provided at the rear of the lots. The private drive will serve two purposes.
First, the private drive and associated garage structures will provide a visual and noise buffer to
commercial activity within the adjoining shopping center, which has a tenant mix that includes a
church, a liquor store, a medical clinic, a convenience store with gas pumps and car wash, a dog
wash facility, an insurance office, a driver training center and a real estate office. Second, the
private drive will alleviate the need to place six (6) of the two car garages along Fromme Prairie
Way, an entrance corridor for luxury homes and townhomes as well as a major access point for
the Fromme Prairie open space. Only two of the townhomes will have driveways fronting on
Fromme Prairie and garages will be set back from the main elevation. The intent is for each four
unit building to have the architectural character of a detached single family home.
The townhomes would be a mixture of 1 ½ story to 2 story units. The garage buildings would be
single story as shown in the attached illustrations. The intent of the development plan is to avoid
conflicts between land uses, and the proposed townhomes provide a buffer between the existing
retail and office center and existing detached and attached residential development on the south
side of Fromme Prairie.
Prairie Village has been designed to blend well with, and preserve the character of, the existing
communities which surround it. As an in-fill development, it is important to preserve
neighborhood quality and the sense of place that has already been established for Harmony
Ridge and the adjoining Overlook neighborhoods.
The project meets the City of Fort Collins vision for compact, healthy and sustainable living
environments. A small common area at the rear of the project area provides open space and the
nearby Fromme Prairie is a pedestrian and bicycle connector to miles of pathways, other parks,
open space, shopping hubs and work centers.
Prairie Village is anticipated to provide more diversity in the area housing product, with
affordability based on a preliminary price range of $275,000 for smaller three bedroom, 2.5 bath
units, and $325,000 for the end units that have larger yard areas and more square footage.
In addition, with two of the eight units having a master bedroom and bath downstairs, Prairie
Village will provide an accessible and low maintenance lifestyle for older homebuyers who may
not be able to routinely walk up and down stairways. This diversity is important in an aging
population predicted for Fort Collins.
The landscape design will incorporate dry stream beds and native vegetation to the extent
possible in order to conserve water resources and to also further the natural character of
Harmony Ridge and the adjoining Fromme Prairie. Native grasses are a natural tie to this nearby
recreational and scenic amenity.
Sidewalks will be extended during the construction of the Prairie Village project, which will
serve to enhance pedestrian access to the Fromme Prairie and to the adjoining neighborhood
shopping center. Further, off-street parking will preserve the integrity of existing bike pathways
leading to the Fromme Prairie, and protect recreational and commuter bike traffic.
The applicant has met with the owners of the retail condominiums next door and there do not
appear to be any issues at this time. They are in support of no additional commercial
development on the subject site, and of the townhome use. The applicant has also been sending
copies of all planning materials to Brian Powers, a Board Member of the Harmony Ridge HOA
which adjoins the site under consideration. The applicant will be available for neighborhood
meetings upon request.
Please feel free to contact either Ken Mitchell 321-288-2101 or Brent Cooper 970-224-5828.
Email for Ken Mitchell: kmitch2000@aol.com
Email for Brent Cooper: brent.cooper@ripleydesigninc.com