HomeMy WebLinkAboutHORSETOOTH BUSINESS PARK, 1ST FILING - PRELIMINARY & FINAL - 78-88B - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTSITEM NO. 7
$::.. MEETING DATE 4/1/91
STAFF Sherry Albertson -Clark
City of Fort Collins PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD
STAFF REPORT
PROJECT: Horsetooth Business Park PUD, Preliminary and Final
#78-88B
APPLICANT: W. W. Reynolds Companies
c/o Cityscape
3030 S. College, #200
Fort Collins, CO 80525
OWNER: W. W. Reynolds Companies
4909 Pearl East Circle, S. #300
Boulder, CO 80301
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A request for preliminary and final approval
for a 44,000 square foot office building and service yard for
Public Service Company, on 10.5 acres, located on the south side of
Horsetooth Road, approximately 1/8 mile west of Timberline Road.
The site is zoned R-H, High Density Residential.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This project consists of new offices and a
service yard for Public Service Company. The preliminary and final
plan is in conformance with the "Business Service Uses" and
"Industrial Uses" Point Charts and meets the applicable criteria of
the All Development Chart of the LDGS. The proposed land use is
considered compatible with the surrounding area. Extensive
landscaping is proposed for the site. A combination of landscaping
and fencing are proposed to minimize visual impacts from the
proposed service yard, located south of the Public Service Company
office building. Height analysis was done for the 55' microwave
tower and shows no impact on views or on the neighborhood or
community.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 300 LaPorte Ave. P.O. Boa 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 (303) 221-6750
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Horsetooth Business Park - Master Plan #78-88A
P & Z Meeting - April 1, 1991
Page 2
COMMENTS
1. Background•
The surrounding zoning and land uses are as follows:
N: IP; PRPA Offices
S: IP; vacant (Horsetooth Business Park Master Plan)
E: IP; vacant (Horsetooth Business Park Master Plan)
W: RLP; Collindale Golf Course
This site was part of the South Collins Tech Center Master Plan,
approved in January of 1982. Final plans for this site were
approved in 1982 and 1983 for office, industrial, warehouse and
restaurant uses and a financial institution. The street network
and utilities were installed for this site under these final phase
plans and the plan approval is still considered "valid".
In 1982, the site was rezoned from R-H, with a condition that the
uses be non-residential, to R-H with the condition that the site be
developed through the PUD process. In 1986, an amended master plan
and preliminary/final plan was approved for a 3.3-acre site at the
corner of the Horsetooth/Timberline intersection. This plan
consisted of a 37,500 square foot retail and office center,
including convenience and gasoline sales. This preliminary/final
plan has since expired.
The master plan was amended in 1988 (under the name Horsetooth-
Timberline Properties Master Plan), to incorporate a neighborhood
service center into the master plan. No preliminary phase plan was
submitted at that time. The proposed Horsetooth Business Park
Master Plan would amend the existing 1988 master plan.
2. Land Use•
The Horsetooth Business Park PUD Preliminary and Final Plan conists
of a 44,000 square office building for Public Service Company and
a service yard, on the 10.5-acre site.
Point Charts E "Business Service Uses" and F "Industrial Uses" were
used to evaluate this proposal. Two point charts were used due to
the office and industrial nature (service yard) of the proposed
use. The project achieved 63% on Point Chart E (a minimum of 50%
is required). Points were awarded for being located outside the
South College Avenue corridor; part of a planned center; on a
parcel of land larger than two acres; and for contiguity. The
project achieved 50% on Point Chart F, which also requires a
minimum of 50%. Points were awarded for being part of an
Horsetooth Business Park - Master Plan #78-88A
P & Z Meeting - April 1, 1991
Page 3
industrial center and being located adjacent to an arterial street
for access.
The proposed land use is considered compatible with the surrounding
area, which is developing as a mix of industrial and business
service (office) uses.
3. Design•
The site consists of a 44,000 square foot building, in an L-shaped
configuration, with parking along the north and east sides of the
building. The remainder of the site, to the south of the proposed
building, would be a secured service or storage yard. The parking
on the north side of the building is for employees, while parking
to the east is for customers. A payment drop box is also provided
east of the building, in conjunction with a one-way aisle to access
the drop box. The proposed parking is more than adequate for
employees and customers.
The proposed building is a 16' high single -story structure.
Building materials consist of a combination of smooth finish and
fluted masonry block. A canvas awning provides a contrasting
element to the lineal appearance of the building. Entries will be
located on the east side (public entry) and on the north side. A
dock height loading area is provided on the south side of the
building, within the service yard.
Extensive landscaping has been provided on the site. The
Horsetooth and Automation frontages consist of a mix of shade,
ornamental and coniferous trees and berming. Foundation plantings
include deciduous and coniferous shrubbery and perennials.
Plantings along the western edge of the service yard include
drought tolerant deciduous and coniferous shrubbery and coniferous
trees. The intent in this area is to create a naturalistic,
"thicket" of vegetation, to screen views into the service yard.
The service yard is enclosed on all sides with a 6' high chain link
fence, clad in black vinyl. Black vinyl was selected since this
color of vinyl generally blends out into the background better than
other colors. Service trucks, equipment and materials will be
stored within this secured area. A garage/storage building and gas
island and microwave tower have been shown within the service yard
on the site plan. The microwave tower exceeds the City's 40'
height limit and is discussed further in the section below entitled
"Height Analysis". Underground fuel tanks are planned and must
meet all PFA underground tank requirements. The applicant is
working with PFA to assure compliance.
Horsetooth Business Park - Master Plan #78-88A
P & Z Meeting - April 1, 1991
Page 4
Accessory structures, such as racks, bins, or other similar storage
apparatus are planned within the service yard. The applicant is
proposing a "secondary building envelope" within the enclosed
storage area. Structures planned for this area that exceed 6' in
height (with the exception of lighting fixtures and the
garage/storage building) will require administrative review (via
the administrative change process) prior to construction. This
will provide staff with the opportunity to review administrative
change requests for storage or accessory structures that exceed the
6' height.
Three monument signs are planned for the site. Project
identification signs (identifying PSCO) are proposed along
Horsetooth and Automation, while the business park id sign is
planned for Automation, near the Horsetooth intersection. The PSCO
sign is designed of textured masonry block (to match building) with
an aluminum face and measures approximately 6' by 101. The
business park id sign consists of bronze letters on a sunthetic
stucco surface and measures 7' by 16' in length.
4. Transportation:
Timberline Road is a major arterial (6 lane) and Horsetooth Road is
an arterial (4 lane) street. The primary access to this site would
be from the existing access point on Horsetooth, to be named
"Automation Way". Automation Way would provide public street
access to the site and in the future, be extended to the property
to the south, to connect with the existing portion of Automation
Way. The proposed development of this site does not necessitate
the completion of Automation Way since the access proposed supports
traffic generated by the proposed use; however, the extension of
this street to the property to the south is planned to occur with
the future development of either of the two adjacent sites (Parcels
B or D of the Master Plan). Big Horn Drive will also be extended
to Timberline Road as part of this plan, serving as an alternative
to access the site. The intersections of Automation/Horsetooth and
Big Horn/Timberline would be signalized, when warranted.
A linkage for bike traffic would occur at the Timberline/Big Horn
intersection (future signalized intersection) and connect to
Horsetooth via Automation Way. At Horsetooth, the bikeway would
use the existing over -sized sidewalk on Horsetooth, connecting to
a bikeway planned along the west side of the railroad tracks.
A portion of Elk Road presently exists to the east of this site.
The development of Parcel C of the Horsetooth Business Park Master
Plan will ultimately determine whether Elk Road is completed in its
present location, or shifted farther south.
11
0
Horsetooth Business Park - Master Plan #78-88A
P & Z Meeting - April 1, 1991
Page 5
5. Neighborhood Compatibility:
A neighborhood meeting was held on January 29, 1991 (see attached
summary). Concerns generally related to access and circulation and
sreening of the service yard. These concerns have been addressed
as a result of the project's traffic impact study and proposed
landscape plan.
Staff believes the proposed land use is compatible with the
surrounding area.
6. Height Analysis:
A 55' high microwave tower and associated dish antenna, for
communication purposes, is proposed to be located within the
service yard. This tower presently exists at PSCO's Prospect and
Riverside location. Since this tower exceeds the 40' height limit,
height analysis must be done as part of the PUD review. The
Building Height Review Criteria in the LDGS are designed for use in
evaluation of building (or structure) height. These criteria
consider community scale, views, light and shadow, privacy and
neighborhood scale.
The applicant has provided a view analysis, as well as
specifications of the proposed tower. The view analysis shows
existing views of the site, as well as views with the proposed
building and tower super -imposed.
This proposal does not impact community scale, light and shadow,
privacy or neighborhood scale, since there is no "mass" to the
proposed tower. These criteria would typically be used to evaluate
a proposal for a building that exceeds 40' in height and are
intended to relate building mass, size and height to the
surrounding area. The criteria dealing with views is applicable
for this height proposal; however, since there are existing 90,
transmission lines and a 115' communication tower at the PRPA
Offices, there does not appear to be any significant impact on
views of the foothills or other landmarks. Of particular
importance is maintaining views of the foothills from public parks
and open space areas. Since the proposed tower is east of
Collindale Golf Course, there should not be any impact on views
from the golf course.
Under the Building Height Review Criteria, the following
conclusions have been made by staff regarding the 55' communication
tower:
0
Horsetooth Business Park - Master Plan #78-88A
P & Z Meeting - April 1, 1991
Page 6
1. The elements of community and neighborhood scale, height,
shadow and privacy are not adversely impacted by the proposed
tower.
2. Views of the foothills or other landmarks are not
significantly altered by the proposed tower.
RECOMMENDATION
The Horsetooth Business Park Master Plan is in conformance with the
City's adopted plans and policies and the City's Land Use Policies
Plan supports the proposed uses at this location. Therefore, staff
recommends approval of Horsetooth Business Park PUD Preliminary and
Final, #78-88B.
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Public Service Company S
At Horsetooth Timberline Property
LAND USE BREAKDOWN
February 4, 1991
Area
Gross
Net
Coverage
Buildings
Street R.O.W.
Parking S Drives
Landscaping
Floor Area
Parking
Provided
Standard
Handicapped
Subtotal
Motorcycle
Bicycle
Total Vehicles
Max. Building Height
Max. Microwave Tower Height
457,400 sq. ft.
400,922 sq. ft.
44,000 sq. ft.
56,476 sq. ft.
275,000 sq. ft.
81,922 sq. ft.
44,000 sq. ft.
139 spaces
4 spaces
143 spaces
3 spaces
6 spaces
152 spaces
40 feet
55 feet
10.50 acres
9.20 acres
9.62 %
12.35 %
60.12 %
17.91 %
3.45/ 1000 sq. ft.
•
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
A replat of portions of South Collins Tech Center 1st, 2nd, anc
3rd Filings. (See Subdivision Plat for detailed Legal
Description)
o � @o
urban design, inc.
HORSETOOTH BUSINESS PARK
Statement of Planning Objectives
February 4, 1991
The 32.24 acre Horsetooth Business Park — located at a key
intersection in southeast Fort Collins -- was originally planned
by another developer as the South Collins Tech Center. In 1988 an
amended Master Plan for the property was approved by the Planning
and Zoning Board. The Master Plan amendment now proposed will
allow the mix of land uses established in 1988 to be developed
around a more functional circulation system.
The range of potential land uses is seen as an important part
of achieving an attractive, viable project at this site.
Conceptual drainage studies, existing and future utility
extensions, and future street intersection locations need to be
evaluated by both the City and property owners. These elements
are affected by development of the Horsetooth Business Park. A
current Master Plan will help in making decisions about future
capital improvements in the area.
The Horsetooth Business Park Master Plan is intended as a tool
to assist in providing a desirable mix of land uses in an
attractive business park setting. The site represents an
opportunity to continue the high quality image, (both in visual
and economic terms) that exists in the vicinity of this site.
The land use pattern indicated on the Master Plan is consistent
with the approved 1988 Master Plan, and with the adopted Land Use
Policies Plan of the City of Fort Collins regarding the location
of industrial or business service uses and regional/community
shopping centers.
Development of the site is scheduled to begin in 1991 and
continue through 1998. The land uses indicated would provide
employment for an estimated 800 persons.
Horsetooth Business Park First Filing — Proposed as a 40,000+
sq. ft. office, warehouse, maintenance, and storage facility for
Public Service Company of Colorado — is a continuation of the
successful development program being implemented at Prospect East
Business Park by the W. W. Reynolds Companies.
• ,,//
0 .1
BUSINESS
SERVICE USES
POINT CHART E
For All Critera
Applicable Criteria Only
I II III IV
Circle
Criterion
Is The
Criterion
The
Correct
Points
Maximum
Applicable
Applicable
Score
Mulflplier
Earned
Points
Yes No
Yes VW' No
1x11
a. Transit route
X
I
X
2
0
2
G
f
b. S. College corridor
X
X@
0
4
8
c. Part of center
X
X
2
0
3
6
d. Two acres or more
X
X
`2
0
3
6
14,
e. Mixed -use
X
X
20
3
6
f. Joint parking
.4
1
2101
3
--
g. Energy conservation
X
1
2
0
4
6)
8
h. Contiguity
X
X
2
0
5
/0,
10
i. Historic preservation
1
2
0
2
j.
1
2
0
k.
1
2
0
I,
1
2
0
VW — Very well Done Totals
V VI
Percentage Earned of Maximum Applicable Points V/VI =VI1 ^
Vu
-24-
0
•
INDUSTRIAL
USES
POINT CHART F
For All Critera
Applicable Criteria Only
Criterion
Is The
Criterion
Applicable
Yes No
l u III IV
Circle
The
Correct
Score
Yes WJ' No
Multiplier
Points
Earned
1x11
Maximum
Applicable
Points
a. "North" Fort Collins
X
X
2
0
1
2
b, Industrial center
X
X
2
0
3
6
c. On arterial street
X
210
1
d. Energy conservation
X
1
20
3
6
e, Historic preservation
1
2
0
2
---
f,
1
210
g.
1
2
0
h,
1
2
0
i.
1
2
0
j,
1
2
0
k,
1
2
0
I,
-1-2-0-
VW — Very Well Done Totals f
V VI
Percentage Earned of Maximum Applicable Points V/VI = VII - % %
Vu
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-27-
Services
Planning Department
Neighborhood Meeting Notes
•
A neighborhood information meeting was held on Tuesday, January 29, 1991 from
7:00 - 9:00 P.M. at the offices of Platte River Power Authority, regarding a
proposed development for the southwest corner of Horsetooth and Timberline Road.
The proposed development plan consists of a Public Service Company facility, with
offices and service yard.
Meeting attendees were Eldon Ward, Cityscape Urban Design (representing PSCO);
Libby Glass (representing W.W. Reynolds, developer) and Sherry Albertson -Clark
(City Planning Department). Ten area property owners/representatives also
attended the meeting.
The meeting began with Eldon Ward presenting an overview of the proposed
development plan.
The following questions and responses by the consultant were discussed:
1. What is the actual location of the building?
In the northwest corner of the site. Access would be from Horsetooth.
2. What would happen to the rest of the property to the east?
The specific uses aren't known, probably some type of Business Service use, such
as offices, or commercial uses.
3. What will Public Service have at this site?
Administrative offices and a service yard.
4. Describe the traffic pattern on the site.
There would be one access point on Horsetooth, and one at Bighorn. Bighorn would
be extended east to connect with Timberline.
5. What is the building height?
Single story.
6. How many employees?
About 85.
7. How many service vehicles would be at the site?
Mostly vans, some larger trucks. About 37 trucks would leave the site in the
morning and return at the end of the day. These trucks would be parked on the
south side of the building.
8. How would left turns on Horsetooth and on Timberline be handled?
A traffic study will be required and would evaluate adequacy of turning
281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 9 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (303) 221-6750
0
movements. Probably will be signal at Horsetooth access point and at Bighorn (on
Timberline) when warranted. A total of about 120 vehicles would be
entering/leaving the site daily.
9. Are there expansion plans for Public Service?
None planned. Building is planned for 36,000 square feet.
10. PSCO Riverside site is not good for customer parking. Where will it be here?
Customer parking will be in front (east side of building) of the public entrance.
11. How would the storage yard be screened?
With a combination of fencing, landscaping and berming. Planning to do more
natural landscaping along the west property line, with more dense shrubbery.
South and east sides would use more trees and shrubbery mixed.
12. Would there be chain link fencing on the west property line? Would be
concerned about the view from the golf course.
Yes, inside the landscaping.
13. What activities would be in the building? Would customers pay there?
Don't believe there would be much walk-in traffic for bill paying.
14. When was the zoning changed from residential?
Zoning has not changed. Site has been planned for industrial uses since early
1980's.
15. Any rail delivery planned?
No.
16. What type of outside storage would occur?
Poles, transformers, etc.
17. PRPA would offer the use of its existing microwave tower for PSCO to use for
dispatching, rather than see another tower installed.
Applicant will put PSCO in touch.
18. Above or underground fuel tanks?
Underground. Working with PFA on this topic.
19. Will berming and landscaping do enough for the view into the storage area
(from golf course)?
Using xeriscape, native materials along west property line to create natural
looking thicket. Berms would be 3' high.
20. What is berming?
Mounding of earth with shrubbery planted on top and sides of berm.
21. Will additional right-of-way be needed for Horsetooth?
No.
22. Does Elk Road exist on the site?
Just stubbed in. Would not be done with this project. Would be building Bighorn
to Timberline.
C]
•
23. Why not extend to connect to Automation Way? Want to go on record as having
Automation extended through this site.
The master plan is not changing the street network with PSCO.
24. Would rather see the street system extended to Caribou, rather than tie into
Bighorn.
25. Concerned regarding stacking of traffic at the Hor$etooth access to this site
and increasing numbers of cars.
26. Is there a noise factor to be considered?
Any activities with noise would be inside the building or storage area.
27. If main entrance were on Timberline, less congestion. PRPA has 85 employees
and has two service area access points.
28. Where is employee/customer parking?
Employee is on the north side of building, customer on east side.
29. Believe PSCO could be good neighbor for area.
30. Why not put Automation Way through to south end of property?
Putting Bighorn through to Timberline. Would still be retaining potential for
future connection to Automation.
31. Barring obstacles, when would construction start?
Early -mid April.
32. Any power generation on site?
No.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
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MEMORANDUM
To: Bill Reynolds, W. W. Reynolds Companies
Eldon Ward, Cityscape
Rick Ensdorff, Fort Collins Transportation Director
From: Matt De 1 i ch
Date: March 5, 1991
Subject: Response to City staff concerns regarding Horsetooth
Business Park Traffic Study Update
Reference File: 9103MM1
Two traffic concerns were raised by Fort Collins staff
regarding the Horsetooth Business Park: 1) whether Automation
Way should be extended south of Big Horn Drive, and 2)
potential conflicting left -turning movements between
northbound Automation Way at the PSCo main driveway and
southbound Automation Way at Elk Drive.
At this stage of development (PSCo) of Horsetooth
Business Park, there are no operational reasons to complete
Automation Way south of Big Horn Drive, connecting it to the
adjacent property to the south. It is expected that as other
parcels to the south of PSCo are developed, this connection
will be made.
The potential left -turn conflict described above will
present a problem when the parcel east of Automation Way,
served by Elk Drive, is developed. This parcel (C) is
designated as commercial (business services). A cursory
review of the peak hour traffic volumes indicates that there
will be a conflict. With the commercial use, it is more
appropriate that Elk Drive be moved further to the south (±
100 feet). If the actual developed use on Parcel C is one
that generates significantly less trips, then the existing Elk
Drive access location may be adequate. It is my
recommendation that the detailed evaluation of this potential
conflict be performed when a definitive use is proposed on
Parcel C. However, it is important that all parties are aware
that the conflict may cause Elk Drive to be moved. If this
occurs, the existing utilities in the Elk Drive right-of-way
must either be moved along with the road itself or exist in
their present location in a utility easement. The utility
easement can have no structures built on it.