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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWOODWARD TECHNOLOGY CENTER - LINK-N-GREENS OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - ODP120002 - MINUTES/NOTES - CORRESPONDENCE-NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING- 1 - Link-N-Greens Overall Development Plan Neighborhood Meeting Comments Meeting information: August 20, 2012 at the City of Fort Collins Streets Department, Streets Training Room, 625 North Lemay Avenue, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Part One: Development Review Overview Meeting Question: Is this a done deal? Is this going to happen regardless? Response: This is the beginning of the process; it is yet to be determined by anyone who has authority if the project will go forward. Q: Has the floodplain problem been addressed with regards to how close the project will get to the river? R: Deferred to the next meeting, where we’ll discuss the project. This meeting is for the process. Comment: Please contact staff if you would like to submit written comments. Laurie Kadrich: lkadrich@fcgov.com Jason Holland: jholland@fcgov.com Q: The two stages that you talked about, do they correlate to the handout you provided? I’m confused because the sign is up already. R: The handout you have is more regarding the traditional process – typically we have an application, post a sign and send out the notice. The Code doesn’t require that level of staging; the developer has an opportunity to get tenants quickly, and staff has posted the sign and we are holding the meeting ahead of getting the application. Q: So where are we in the process? R: The conceptual review has already been done; we are in the middle of 2, 3, and 4. Bruce Hendee – background and overview of the City’s Comprehensive Plan Q: What’s the current zoning for the project? What is allowed? R: The Site is Zoned CCR (Community Commercial River). The Land Uses range from residential to light industrial. Q: Any thoughts of a connector to the Mason corridor? R: Yes, there are plans for an east-west circulator that would connect directly to the mason corridor. Planning, Development and Transportation Services Current Planning 281 North College Ave. P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 970.221.6750 970.224.6134 - fax fcgov.com/currentplanning - 2 - Q: Do you have a map of the floodplain? How much of Link-N-Greens is in the floodplain? R: I don’t have a map of that tonight. Q: It’s fairly extensive isn’t it? R: There is a large portion of the site that is floodway and flood fringe. Q: Is there an island proposed between the two lanes of traffic? R: It is planned to be boulevard with a median. Q: Will there be right-of-ways to take a left? R: That will be developed with the access plan. Q: Are you proposing to put a lot more traffic on Lincoln? Will you need four lanes? R: It is in the City’s Master Plan as a three-lane arterial. We haven’t gotten to the access questions yet. Q: Any thought for expanding the Natural Areas with the trail? R: Part of the plan for this area is to protect the Poudre River corridor. There is a river buffer in this zone district. Between these two regulations, those are the City standards. Q: Is this the RDR zone district? What is the buffer for this area? R: This is the CCR zone district and the 300’ buffer standard applies. Q: What do you mean by buffer? Is it San Antonio riverwalk or natural landscape? R: Natural landscape. Q: Is there a levy planned on this side of the Poudre River? R: No Applicant’s Presentation/Neighborhood Meeting Q: What will happen to the current Woodward location? R: Has not been determined at this point, but their business is growing and where that growth occurs will determine what goes at this site. They expect to see energy-related work, e.g., the engines that go in locomotives and products associated with inverters and solar-powered generation, biofuels, etc. Q: Will this add jobs or just move jobs? R: They are planning to keep adding jobs to the company. It’s a phased plan over many years that could be built over 10-20 years. Q: Would locals be able to get work here? R: There are a lot of local jobs already here, and that will continue. Q: How much will taxes go up? - 3 - R: Assuming they mean property taxes; they don’t go up in reaction to a development, they go up in reaction to the increase in property values (property assessments). I cannot say the prices will go up either way. Q: Who will own the Natural Area? R: Very likely it will be Woodward; it could also be the City. The City will have a lot to say about how that Natural Area integrates into the river. The current open space on the plan is about six times the size of Buckingham Park. Q: Secondary access – how much traffic will that generate? R: Detailed traffic studies will be a part of the City’s approval process; that information will be available to everyone as a part of the approval process. The uses still need to be determined, as well as timing of the phases. Q: What is the height limitation per the Code today? R: Three stories; the applicants do not have plans for high-rise or mid-rise. They may desire to go up to four stories, but that has not been decided. There are no intentions for ten stories like you see in downtown. Q: Will the farmstead be protected permanently? R: Yes. Q: How many local jobs will the project provide? R: Over five years, several hundred, but it depends on the market. Q: Where is the headquarters currently located? R: It’s here in Fort Collins. Q: Is there going to be an environmental impact review for the construction process? R: The applicants will follow all of the federal, state, and local requirements to a tee. R: (City) As a part of the process, they will be required to conduct an Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) with the submittal of a Project Development Plan. This proposal is only for an Overall Development Plan and an Ecological Characterization Study is not required at this point. Q: Will the open space be open for public use? R: The bike trail will continue to be open for public use. His hope is that there will also be an entry point into the open space from the retail area. Q: What is the effect on the traffic to the north of Lemay and Lincoln? R: South of the Magnolia/Lemay intersection is where the majority of the traffic will go. A traffic evaluation has not been completed yet, but it will be a part of the process to comply with the City’s Code. Comment: Thank you for a wonderful plan. Q: Are there any more grocery/retail grocery stores planned for this area? - 4 - R: I don’t believe you’re going to see any more groceries in the foreseeable future probably exceed the current demand in this portion of town. Wal-mart is down the street; King Soopers just opened a new store… Q: If Woodward doesn’t select this location, what happens to the plan? Does it then change to more retail/commercial? R: This is Allen’s last hurrah for this project. His opinion is that this is the best use for the property. Q: What about the water that is attached to the land? R: The water is owned privately; it will be up to them if they would like to sell that. If they do, Woodward would likely be a buyer and the City would as well. Q: If this project takes TIF (Tax Increment Financing) by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) or URA (Urban Renewal Authority), will the project give property tax credit for investment given? R: Really early in the process, cannot say exactly. Q: Would the open land be added to the land trust? R: Right now, still trying to figure out with the City regarding who is the best owner of the land. Q: Will retail/commercial develop in a way that incorporates into the neighborhood rather than in competition with existing neighborhoods? R: The amount of retail/commercial is about 1/3 of the amount that was originally discussed for the site. The current retail purpose is for smaller retailers and will likely be oriented toward food and some services. Tenants for these uses have yet to be selected. Q: As City residents, how can we help Woodward in Fort Collins? R: Verbalize that support however you feel best; show up to meetings and express your interest, write letters, etc. R: (City) There will also likely be other neighborhood meetings in addition to this meeting if the project proceeds forward. Q: Taking a look at the FEMA map, there is only 30 some odd acres outside of the 100 year floodplain – what is necessary to make the 60 acres you are proposing for development to happen? R: There is a federal and a city process regarding floodplain regulations; this project will follow both of these processes. Comment: Save the Poudre – appreciated taking a walk along the property 1.5 years ago, thanks for listening, our initial response is positive and they are hopeful they can continue a positive relationship in the future. Comment: I live a block away from the current Woodward; they are a perfect neighbor. I didn’t know the use was there when I moved in. If they can replicate that use at the same site, then they will be a great neighbor. - 5 - Q: Saving the farm – does that include all of the historic structures that are registered? R: All of the historic structures will be preserved. Q: What use? R: The applicants do not know that right now. Q: Woodward would own the structures? R: Yes currently. Q: What is the timeframe for making the decision? R: As soon as possible; it depends on economic conditions and the process. Q: Relating to your existing property, if the headquarters is already here, is the current headquarters on Drake and Lemay? R: Yes Q: So, are you going to keep both? R: They are going to build a brand new headquarters facility someplace. Q: So you might just leave the other site? R: They haven’t determined that yet. Comment: Appreciates having the meeting with the neighborhood; really talking with us (Buckingham neighborhood) and listening to our concerns; I think you would be a great neighbor. I like hearing you are a quiet neighbor. The one aspect that gives her a lot of pride is preserving the rich history and culture of the Germans, Russians, and Hispanics. Q: In the best case scenario, if all parties want to proceed, is it two years before construction begins? R: They need to get a little further into the plans. Q: Does Woodward have any emphasis on being LEED certified? R: We most likely won’t be pursuing LEED certification, but they will be pursuing the performance and the energy savings associated with the certification. Q: (Carol Tunner) worked to preserve the barn on the site; I like the idea of Woodward Governor; I think they will be good stewards of the ground; I just want to be sure that everyone understands the significance of the site. This is the cradle of Fort Collins. Q: You mentioned public access to the open space, is there any potential for a sculpture garden and will the neighborhoods have access to that chunk of open space? R: Still in the midst of planning for that aspect of the project, but it will definitely be accessible by the public. There will be access from Lemay for the public. He is looking at ways to integrate historic preservation into the project, but it probably won’t be in the open space because of the goals for the project’s open space.