HomeMy WebLinkAboutNORTHFIELD FILING 1 EXPANDED - PDP180011 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 3 - ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE REQUEST (3)January 23, 2019
Ted Shepard
Current Planning Department
281 North College Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Re: Northfield Filing 1 Alternative Compliance
Please accept this request for Alternative Compliance to Section 3.6.3 (D) of the Land Use Code.
Background
The proposed Northfield Filing 1 project is a 55.3-acre development, bounded by the future
extension of Suniga Dr. on the South and Lemay / Lindenmeier Rd. on the east and Lake Canal
on the North-West. The intent of this PDP application is to replat the property and convert the use
to a Multi-Family project. There are 5 building types proposed, with a total of 440 units consisting
of Multi-Family and Single Family Attached units. The Overall density is 8.0 dwelling units per
acre. Access points into the site consist of three entry roads, two along Suniga Rd. and another
from Lemay Ave. Two additional access points will be from The Retreat. The project will also
construct 4.5’ detached concrete sidewalks along the street frontages and will provide on-street
parallel parking spaces along the public streets, 159 off-street parking spaces and 660 garage
spaces and 1 bike space per bedroom.
This Alternative Compliance request is in accordance with the review procedures set forth in
Section 3.6.3 (H) of the Land Use Code as follows:
Alternative Compliance to Section 3.6.3(D):
Code Language: 3.6.3 – Street Pattern and Connectivity Standards.
(D) Spacing of Limited Movement Collector or Local Street Intersections With
Arterial Streets . Additional nonsignalized, potentially limited movement, collector or local
street intersections with arterial streets shall be spaced at intervals not to exceed six
hundred sixty (660) feet between full movement collector or local street intersections,
unless rendered infeasible due to unusual topographic features, existing development or a
natural area or feature.
The Request: Northfield proposes an alternative plan that allows local street intersections to be
spaced a distance greater than 660’. The intersection of Landmark Road and Suniga Road is
approximately 824’ from Lemay Avenue and Steely Drive is located approximately 846’ to the
west. Schlagel Street is approximately 1,125’ north of the the interstction of Suniga Road and
Lemay.
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Justification
• Tract H has one public street connetion and one emergency access only connection to
Suniga Road. Although three vehicular connections are required by the standard, we feel
that one access is adequate as it aligns with Steeley Drive to the north and provides
neighborhood connectivity.
• Tact I has no vehicular connections and one is required. It is not logical to provide a local
street connection in this location as the Tract is a private park and contains water quality
and detention as well as a walking path. Additionally, Alta Vista residents expressed
concerns at the neighborhood meeting about connecting into their neighborhood.
• For the north side of Suniga, two local street connections are provided and three are
required. The applicant feels that two public streets will adequately serve the
neighborhood and that the reduction in required access is minimal.
• The Lemay Avenu frontage of the project would be required to have three local street
interestions and only has one. Schlagel Street is approxiamtley 1,125’ from Lemay
Avenue and the applicant feels that one public street will adequately serve the
neighborhood and that the reduction in required access is minimal.
Review Criteria
The proposed alternative plan accomplishes the purpose of the Street Pattern and Conectivity
Standards equally well or better than would a plan which complies with the standard, and the
reduction in access and and circulation for vehicles maintains facilities for bicycle, pedestrian and
transit to the maximum extent feasible.
• The alternative plan proposes direct connections to two Major Arterial streets.
• Residents of the project and adjacent neighborhoods in the vicinity can travel in all
directions safely and conveniently on arterial streets without adding traffic to local streets
in adjacent residential neighborhoods.
• The alternative plan fosters nonvehicular access by providing numerous on-street
sidewalks, pedestrian paths that will encourage walking and cycling to adjacent
neighborhoods.
• The alternative plan enhances neighborhood continuity and connectivity by providing two
local street connections to the Retreat.