HomeMy WebLinkAboutSAINT JOHN XXIII CATHOLIC CHURCH AND LOMBARDY STUDENT HOUSING - PDP190001 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - TREE MANAGEMENT PLANRe: Saint John XXIII & Lombardy Student Housing Tree Mitigation
Dear Molly Roche et. al.:
The redevelopment of the future site of Saint John XXIII & Lombardy Student Housing will see
a significant increase in building density compared to the current building footprints and sizes
of Saint John XXIII Catholic Church and its affiliated buildings per the allowable and
anticipated zoning set forth in the Community Commercial District and the West Campus
Area Plan. There are currently 115 trees and several shrub masses on the current site (see tree
mitigation plan for reference).
As part of the redevelopment of the site, many of the current trees will be preserved,
especially those of significant size or of significant importance (reasons of habitat, or
instances of rarity). The design of the proposed project has specifically targeted several trees
between near and around Building A to preserve trees (one example can be seen where the
access road adjusts trajectory). However, there are many other trees which will need to be
transplanted or demolished to complete the project.
In simple terms, the ambition of this project is to build a new Catholic Church to grow and
extend its membership and capacity for serving the Fort Collins community. The housing
which accompanies the new Catholic Church will be built to provide affordable housing
options as well as housing opportunities effectively on the Catholic Church’s new “campus”.
Given the height limitations of this area’s zoning, and in order to achieve this mission, the
church, parking, and housing for the project require a significant amount of ground space.
The financial implications of smaller footprints would render this project not feasible.
In collaboration with BHA Design Incorporated, Davis Partnership Architects, Integration
Design Group, Northern Engineering, we believe the design has successfully blended the
ambitions of preserving important trees on site and providing a beautiful new landscape (of
trees, gardens, plantings, and shrub masses) for the new Saint John XXIII and Lombardy
Student Housing Campus Plan.
Sincerely,
James Spiller
Director of Design
Blackbird Investments, LLC.