HomeMy WebLinkAboutNORTHFIELD COMMONS - MJA210001 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - MODIFICATION REQUEST
June 21, 2021
City of Fort Collins
Current Planning Department
281 North College Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Re: Northfield Commons
Please accept this request for a Modification of Standards to Section 3.2.2 (K)(1)(a) of the Land
Use Code.
Background
Mercy Housing is proposing to acquire approximately 6.5 acres of the Northfield development o
be designated for affordable deed-restricted multifamily housing within the larger Northfield
development.
The plan proposes seven (7) two- and three-story walk-up apartments, slab on grade with two
distinct building types. 12 units/building – 84 units in total. Current bedroom configuration is 24
one-bedrooms, 42 two-bedrooms and 18 three-bedrooms. The project provides 140 parking
spaces.
Attached to an A-Type apartment building, there will be a 2,400 sq. ft. on-site property staff
office/leasing center and community clubhouse and outdoor patio spaces.
Northfield will retain 20 units in four buildings on the eastern portion of the project in the same
configuration and design of the approved plans
Modification to Section 3.2.2(K)(1)(a)
Code Language: Parking Lots - Required Number of Off-Street Spaces for Type of Use.
(1)Residential and Institutional Parking Requirements. Residential and institutional uses
shall provide a minimum number of parking spaces as defined by the standards below.
(a)Attached Dwellings: For each two-family and multi-family dwelling there shall be
parking spaces provided as indicated by the following table:
Number of Bedrooms/Dwelling Unit Parking Spaces Per Dwelling Unit*, **
One or less 1.5
Two 1.75
2
Number of Bedrooms/Dwelling Unit Parking Spaces Per Dwelling Unit*, **
Three 2.0
Four and above 3.0
Requested Modification: We are requesting that the project have less than the minimum required
parking spaces.
Off-Street Parking Table:
24 1-bedroom (1.5/D.U.) = 36
42 2-bedroom (1.75/D.U.) = 74
18 3-bedroom (2.0/D.U.) = 36
Total Required 146
Standard spaces = 86
Compact spaces = 48 (34%)
Accessible spaces = 6
Total Provided = 140
Modification Criteria
The request of approval for this modification complies with the standards per Review Criteria 2.8.2
(H)(2) and (4) in the following ways:
(2) the granting of a modification from the strict application of any standard would, without
impairing the intent and purpose of this Land Use Code, substantially alleviate an existing, defined
and described problem of city-wide concern or would result in a substantial benefit to the city by
reason of the fact that the proposed project would substantially address an important community
need specifically and expressly defined and described in the city's Comprehensive Plan or in an
adopted policy, ordinance or resolution of the City Council, and the strict application of such a
standard would render the project practically infeasible; or
(4) the plan as submitted will not diverge from the standards of the Land Use Code that are
authorized by this Division to be modified except in a nominal, inconsequential way when
considered from the perspective of the entire development plan, and will continue to advance the
purposes of the Land Use Code as contained in Section 1.2.2.
Justification
The granting of this modification of standards would not be detrimental to the public good, and the
plan as submitted will promote the general purpose of the standard for which the modification is
requested because it addresses an important community need than would a plan which
complies with the standard for which a modification is requested and in a nominal and
inconsequential way. The applicant offers the following in support of its request for modification:
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• The proposed alternative plan provides an affordable housung development per the
Northfield Metro District Public Benefits agreement. Mercy Housing provides permanently
affordable rental housing for those earning less than 60% Area Median Income.
• The proposed development is in accordance with the overall City goals outlined in City
Plan.
• The proposed alternative plan is just 6 spaces short of the requirement, which is nominal
when considered from the perspective of the entire development plan.