HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOWERHOUSE 2 - FDP220015 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - VARIANCE REQUEST (8)
NORTHERNENGINEERING.COM | 970.221.4158 VARIANCE REQUEST: POWERHOUSE 2
FORT COLLINS | GREELEY 1 | 1
VARIANCE REQUEST
March 1, 2023
City of Fort Collins
Development Review
281 N College Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
RE: POWERHOUSE 2 PROJECT
VINE DRIVE ON-STREET PARKING VARIANCE REQUEST
NORTHERN PROJECT #207-030
To whom it may concern:
Northern Engineering would like to present this request for a variance for the Powerhouse 2 project. General information about
the project is presented below, and detailed information about the nature of this request follows.
General Information
The project site is located at the northeast corner of College Ave. and Vine Dr. in north Fort Collins. The site currently houses
an auto repair shop and is proposed to be developed into a non-residential development, including a multi-story building
utilized by the Colorado State University Energy Institute for office space, education, and research purposes, among others.
The size of the combined site contains just under 5 acres and includes the Josh Ames Ditch on the north edge of the site.
Vine Drive On-Street Parking
Vine Drive runs along the south edge of the property. Vine Drive is classified in the City’s Master Street Plan as a 2-lane arterial
street. Larimer County Urban Street Standards (LCUASS) Figure 7-3F dictates that 2-lane arterial streets should feature a center
turn lane, two travel lanes (one each direction), and a bike lane on each side; on-street parking is not generally provided.
We are proposing a variance from the standard 2-lane arterial section to allow on-street parking along the north side of Vine
Drive along the frontage of the project (between College Ave. and Jerome St.).
We believe the current design standard would not be negatively impacted because the standard 2-lane arterial section would
still be provided, as well as the parkway/greenbelt and sidewalk (these features would be “pushed” out in the locations where
on-street parking stalls are included); the ROW would remain as designed. The site’s proximity to the intersection with College
Ave. (westbound) will inevitably result in lower travel speeds as vehicles approach the intersection, enhancing the ability for
vehicle movement in/out of the on-street parking. Further, the parking spaces would be protected from travelling vehicles by
bump outs, mimicking the on-street parking that is already provided on the south side of Vine Dr. along this same stretch of
roadway.
Finally, we feel the public good would be positively served by allowing on-street parking in this area by increasing accessibility
to the recently completed Poudre River Whitewater Park immediately to the south.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.
Sincerely,
NORTHERN ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC.
AUSTIN SNOW, PE
Project Engineer
austin@northernengineering.com
APPROVED
Brad Buckman, City Engineer
03/08/2023