HomeMy WebLinkAboutENCLAVE AT REDWOOD - FDP220014 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PROJECT NARRATIVE
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RIPLEY DESIGN, INC. | 419 Canyon Avenue, Suite 200 | Fort Collins, CO 80521
Enclave at Redwood - Project Information and Design Narrative
Conceptual Review – 6/18/2020
Neighborhood Meeting – 7/29/2020
2nd Conceptual Review – 11/19/2020
Background
This project is located on the same site as a former project called The Retreat, a student housing project
that gained approval at the Planning and Zoning Board. That project included 739 bedrooms located in
two-three story multi-family buildings. However, the applicant decided to not move forward. On June 18,
2020, the applicant had the first of two conceptual reviews for Enclave at Redwood, a single -family
attached/detached development. A neighborhood meeting was held on July 29, 2020. A second
conceptual review was held on November 19, 2020 to show a slightly revised site plan using the same
product type, minus the townhomes. However, it was determined that the single family detached for rent
product would not achieve the desired aesthetic with the required utility sep arations. Therefore, the
project has been revised to a for-rent multi-family product.
Existing Site
The vacant site is located on the northwest corner of Suniga Road and Redwood Street. The Suniga
Road right-of-way has been dedicated to the City of Fort Collins and the total acreage for the site is 27.85
acres. The parcel south of Suniga is not included in this proposal and is not a part of the project. Lake
Canal boarders the property on the eastern edge with medium density multi-family housing (Northfield)
currently under construction on the other side of the canal. Multi-family dwellings are located north of the
site with a 45-50-foot-wide regional drainage way in between. A small single-family residential community
called Redwood Meadows and a City-owned regional detention area boarder the site on the west. The
site was originally platted as part of Redwood Village. The site is zoned Low-Density Mixed-Use
Neighborhood (LMN) therefore allowing single family detached homes, two-family homes and others with
a density up to nine dwelling units per acre.
Proposed Use
DHI Communities, a division of DR Horton, is proposing a multi-family, for rent product. The 240 units
proposed is a gross density of 8.09 dwelling units per acre, which is below the allowed d ensity of nine
dwelling units per acre allowed in the LMN zone district. The project will include three housing types: 8 -
plex multi-family, 6-plex multi-family and 4-plex multi-family. The three building designs will stager along
the street frontages to provide aesthetic variety. Additionally, each footprint will have several paint
schemes to further diversify the façade treatments. All dwelling units are intended to be rented as a
whole unit and not per bedroom. A 1.5-acre park is located in the center of the parcel and a future
regional trail will be accommodated for along the Lake Canal. The project will use the adjacent
neighborhood center located in Northfield to fulfil those standards. A clubhouse is located adjacent to the
park at the intersection of Steeley Drive and the entry road.
Site Circulation and Access
MINIMAL RISK. PAINLESS PROCESS. BEAUTIFUL SPACES.
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RIPLEY DESIGN, INC. | 419 Canyon Avenue, Suite 200 | Fort Collins, CO 80521
Primary access to the site is from Redwood Street. A full-movement intersection is located as far away
from the intersection of Suniga as practical. A secondary vehicular connection is made to the existing
stub of Lupine Drive through Redwood Meadows. The site plan proposes two public street connections
to Northfield across the Lake Canal. Due to the site’s unique shape, the other streets will be street -like
private drives with detached sidewalks and tree lawns. The owner of the rental community will maintain
these private streets. Parking is located within garages accessed by allies. All units except for those
directly adjacent to the canal face streets and have sidewalks leading to front do ors. Two buildings along
Sunga have a sidewalk that wraps north to the local street which requires a
modification to the major walkway spine standard. There are also two buildings along the canal which the
sidewalk exceeds 350’ and therefore requires a modification.
Architecture
The concept is a townhome look and feel with common maintenance across the property. Three distinctly
different styles and footprints will complement each other with the common options for color schemes.
Varied footprints, front door locations, rooflines, building materials, column styles and other architectural
detailing will ensure variety along the streetscape.
Stormwater detention, existing drainage patterns and treating run-off
The overall site drains in an easterly direction. The project is proposing stormwater detention ponds
located on the south side of the site adjacent to Suniga Drive, central to the site in the par k area, and
expanding the City’s stormwater pond northwest of the site. The grading of this pond will undulate to
provide ecological value to wildlife and will be located within the natural habitat buffer zone. The
stormwater management facilities will be designed with extended detention to provide standard water
quality and will outfall into the existing NECCO outfall at a rate prescribed by the City. The project will
also be designed to satisfy the City’s LID requirements. This project will extend the N ECCO line from the
northwest corner to the outfall.
Impacts to natural features
The irrigation ditch requires a 50’ natural habitat buffer zone from the top of bank. An Army corps
jurisdictional letter determined that the Lake Canal is a water of the U.S. and that the northern drainage
swale is not. The natural habitat buffer zone along the ditch will remain undisturbed except for
construction of the City’s regional trail. We are not planning on encroaching in this area with buildings.
The ditch natural habitat buffer zone will be maintained or modified as suggested within the ecological
characterization study (ECS). There is a wetland north of this property which has a portion of the natural
habitat buffer overlapping onto this property. The wetland is very low value and was formed due to a
drainage swale. The ECS that was completed in 2018 stated that a few inactive prairie dog holes were
existing, but no wildlife was observed on site. A site visit will be performed to confirm this is still the case.
Vegetation consisted of typical mixed-grass prairie, several Cottonwoods and the noxious weed Russian
Olive. Additionally, no habitat for sensitive or specially valued species was found.
MINIMAL RISK. PAINLESS PROCESS. BEAUTIFUL SPACES.
o: 970.224.5828 | w: ripleydesigninc.com
RIPLEY DESIGN, INC. | 419 Canyon Avenue, Suite 200 | Fort Collins, CO 80521
Current Owner
Aaron Psma
9555 S Kingston Ct
Englewood, CO 80112
Statement of Planning Objectives
This project complies with City Plan, adopted in 2019, and the Northside Neighborhood Plan, adopted in
2005, in the following ways:
Within City Plan, this land is located within the Mixed Neighborhood District. “The Principal Land Uses
being: Single-family, detached homes, duplexes, triplexes and townhomes” This project is providing for
rent townhomes. City Plan also specifies that the density is to be “between five and 20 dwelling units per
acre (typically equates to an average of seven to 12 dwelling units per acre)”. This project is eight
dwelling units per acre, well within that range. Additionally, within the Key Characteristics / Considerations
for new neighborhoods, City Plan describes the goal of providing opportunities for a variety of attached
and detached housing options and amenities in a compact neighborhood setting. This project provides
maintenance free living within a community that looks like owner occupied homes with community
amenities for the residents. The site is along the enhanced travel corridor of Suniga Road and includes a
portion of a regional trail. It also puts emphasis on the pedestrians with alleys and garages located to the
rear of buildings. All characteristics of a Mixed-Neighborhood as described in City Plan.
The proposed neighborhood complies with the principles and policies outlined in City Plan:
Principle LIV 1: Maintain a compact pattern of growth that is well served by public facilities and
encourages the efficient use of land.
It is within the Growth Management Area, has adequate public facilities and will pay all applicable
development fees.
Principle LIV 2: Promote infill and redevelopment.
The project sits in between an established single-family neighborhood to the west an established multi-
family neighborhood to the north and a proposed multi-family neighborhood to the east.
Principle LIV 3: Maintain and enhance our unique character and sense of place as the community grows.
The project is proposing to construct the portion of the regional trail that is located on -site as well as a
public park, clubhouse with pool and several other open green space areas.
Principle LIV 4: Enhance neighborhood livability
This development is expanding housing options and compatible with adjacent multi-family development.
There is an adequate buffer between the single family homes to the west and this dev elopment.
Principle LIV 6: Improve access to housing that meets the needs of residents regardless of their race,
ethnicity, income, age, ability or background.
This development is providing an entire community of for-rent townhomes that look and feel like owner
occupied but with the amenities of multi-family. This will serve a new market of people who are looking for
an alternative to apartments.
MINIMAL RISK. PAINLESS PROCESS. BEAUTIFUL SPACES.
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RIPLEY DESIGN, INC. | 419 Canyon Avenue, Suite 200 | Fort Collins, CO 80521
Principle CR 2: Provide a variety of high-quality outdoor and indoor recreational opportunities that are
accessible to all residents
This project will construct a portion of the City’s regional trail system
Principle ENV 1: Conserve, create and enhance ecosystems and natural spaces within Fort Collins, the
GMA and the region.
This project will provide the natural habitat buffer zones along the wetlands and ditch to ensure that these
corridors will remain protected.
Principle ENV 8: Create and maintain a safe, healthy and resilient urban forest.
We are adding a significant amount of tree canopy that did not exist prior.
Principle SC 1: Create public spaces and rights-of-way that are safe and welcoming to all users.
All of our spaces are visible and lit to provide a sense of safety. The park is open on one long end to
create sight lines into and out of the public space.
Principle T 6: Support bicycling as a safe, easy and convenient travel option for all ages and abilities by
building a connected network of facilities.
Principle T 7: Support walking as a safe, easy and convenient travel option for all ages and abilities by
building a connected network of sidewalks, paths and trails.
We are providing bike lanes, bike parking within the garages, a regional trail and are located along the
enhanced travel corridor of Suniga Road.
Within the Northside Neighborhoods Plan, Chapter three describes the vision and goals for the future,
those include:
• Provide greater opportunities for community involvement
• Improve health and safety- a high priority
• Enhance image and identity of the neighborhoods
• Provide neighborhood services (rec facilities, social services, community meeting facilities)
• Transportation system to provide a variety of mobility options
• Connect trails to surrounding areas
• Residential neighborhoods to have a strong “sense of neighborhood” and become more stable
and cohesive
• Provide livable and affordable housing
• Make neighborhood public spaces attractive and accessible
• Preserve and integrate open lands and natural areas w/ wildlife habitat
• Improve accessibility of parks, trails and rec opportunities
The Enclave at Redwood will accomplish these goals by creating a new cohesive neighborhood that
embraces the existing character of the surrounding neighborhood and provides increased habitat
preservation, connectivity, and safety while providing a new housing option for the community.