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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFORT COLLINS RESCUE MISSION - FDP230022 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION (3)Page 1 of 6 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 November 1st, 2023 North College Corridor Plan Analysis Adopted 2007 Purpose of this plan: “Is to catalyze ongoing improvements to remove constraints and foster desirable development and redevelopment. This plan promotes development activity that strengthens relationships – such as North College Avenue to the areas behind its frontage; the corridor to Downtown; new housing to the mixed commercial/industrial setting; and development and activity to the natural environs of the river, canal corridors, and other outdoor spaces such as future drainage ways.” (PAGE iii) Existing Character: “Existing development in the corridor already has a compact scale and character, with small parcels, close driveway spacings, and opportunistic parking layouts squeezed into areas smaller than what current standards would require in terms of dimensions, setbacks from the highway, landscaped edges, and pedestrian circulation.” (PAGE 8) “In the corridor, it appears extraordinarily difficult to make significant progress toward the needed street network and other infrastructure by responding to single-lot development proposals. Many parcels have a size or access situation that makes further re/development very difficult or impossible.” (PAGE 16) Framework Plan: Shows this site as Commercial North College (C-N). “The vision and goals for continued evolution of the corridor pertain mainly to the two mixed commercial areas”, with the Commercial North College being one of them shown on the map on page 52. “In the C-N and C-C-N areas in particular, the vision and goals reflect a desire to improve the area with reinvestment and new investment, redevelopment and new development, both public and private, to address problems and deficiencies and give the area a more positive character." (PAGE 53). The framework plan clearly explains that this parcel was meant to be redeveloped with positive character and address deficiencies in the area. Page 2 of 6 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 Vision: The Fort Collins Rescue Mission complies with the Land Use and the overall vision for the North College Corridor evolving in a manner that leads to: • More efficient use of land • Higher values • More complete public infrastructure • More economic activity • While keeping the strong sense of civic ownership that led to this plan. The vision of the plan states that “each project helps set the stage for further investment in real estate development and improvement projects in an evolutionary process. Where collaboration among multiple owners and City departments is necessary for changes to occur and be positive, it will be an increasing attribute.” (PAGE 30) • The Fort Collins Rescue Mission project has involved collaboration among many stakeholders, including multiple City Review Departments to ensure a safe and compatible design, and in turn will be an overall positive impact on the community to help house folks in need and give them a place to be 24 hours of the day. Within the walls of one building on site, the project Page 3 of 6 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 plans to house over 200 people and provide access to much needed services and resources. This is an efficient use of land in the corridor, while also keeping a strong sense of civic ownership in ensuring our community members have a safe, warm place to stay near the resources they need. Close coordination with the Mason Street Infrastructure Project has also occurred and will be on-going as the proposal progresses. • Goals, Policies & Strategies: “Many of the goals can only be realized with collaboration among multiple different parties, as is noted in a column listing of parties that must collaborate on each goal, included with explanations of individual goals.” (PAGE 41) • The Fort Collins Rescue Mission aligns with the goals set forth in this plan by enhancing the site and corridor through design, infrastructure, and with “collaboration and mutual understanding among multiple owners and City Departments.” (PAGE 42) Listed below are the goals and strategies to which the Fort Collins Rescue Mission aligns: More Complete Street Network: “This goal is inseparable from Access Management goals for North College Itself. It will be realized incrementally over the long term.” (PAGE 44) • Goal STN 1 - Evolve a more complete pattern of streets, drives, and alleyways forming interconnected blocks of development, serviced by public access and utilities, behind highway frontage. o STN 1.1 - Multiple objectives. In addition to access control, new infrastructure will be developed in a manner that facilitates redevelopment. • Goal STN 2 - Adapt the pattern and details of new streets to fit circumstances and facilitate development projects consistent with the vision and goals. o STN 2.1 - Collaborative Approach. City staff will collaborate with owners and developers on desirable projects which achieve vision and goals, invoking the flexibility built into city-wide street standards, as needed to foster the kinds of places that achieve the vision and goals. ▪ This project provides a community housing need that requires collaboration among stakeholders. The site is adding housing to the mix of uses that already exist in the North College Corridor. With a mix of housing and businesses, it achieves the vision of developing the corridor with a more complete street and sidewalk network. Collaboration is necessary to make it work and a mix of uses allows housing developments to help support nearby retail and in turn, retail can then support housing developments. Page 4 of 6 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 o STN 2.2 – Other infrastructure. Utility corridors, easements, channels, and detention basins will be integrated with the network for multiple purposes (e.g. recreation, personal mobility, image and identity.) ▪ The Fort Collins Rescue Mission project will provide an updated streetscape by enhancing the landscaping along Mason Street with a mix of trees, shrubs and grasses, and pedestrian oriented plaza space, thus creating a better pedestrian experience through mobility, aesthetics and safety. Community Appearance and Design: “This goal is needed to make the most of the very special (re)development opportunity which the corridor presents, based on its location near the heart of Fort Collins; maximize lasting value from infrastructure investments, by creating interesting places w ith a comfortable neighborhood feel; and offer a distinct city counterpoint to standardized suburban development.” (PAGE 46) • Goal CAD 2 - Build up a distinct image and city character in evolving places along the corridor. o CAD 2.1 - Architecture will be the primary, most visible means of achieving the goal. City Plan already calls for architecture to respond to local context; here in the corridor, the City will seek ways to foster a distinct architectural character reflecting the v ision and unique qualities in evolving places. ▪ The design of the Fort Collins Rescue Mission aligns well with the existing surrounding buildings, but also has its own distinct character to provide a cohesive look for the corridor and reflect the unique project and building. The building is compatible with two directly adjacent properties by incorporating similar roof pitches, blending softer color palettes to blend into the adjacent neighborhood, and using patterns in the siding to mimic the surrounding building patterns. Another example of a surrounding building nearby is The Lyric Cinema (located south-east). This building has an industrial feel with corrugated metal, a slanted roof, modern features and also a welcoming outdoor space, creating a unique place where people want to be. See below for photos: Page 5 of 6 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 As shown in the below photo, the proposed Fort Collins Rescue Mission building echoes the industrial look and feel of The Lyric Cinema adjacent properties, but also keeps distinct architectural features with wood beams and a variety of roof lines and windows. o CAD 2.2 - Character will be contemporary semi-industrial, combined with familiar, traditional Old Town and Hispanic-derived character. Durable, simple, authentic materials and design will be prevalent. Architectural design featuring exposed structural elements, brick instead of concrete block, corrugated or ribbed metal instead of artificial stucco, and a palette of colors rather than beige, will create urban places that complement Downtown and offer a distinct alternative to standardized suburban development. ▪ The building for the Fort Collins Rescue Mission has a semi-industrial character with classic touches. As mentioned in the previous section, it accomplishes this in blending styles and scales of the adjacent neighborhood and takes cues from other uniquely “North College” characteristics. Land Uses and Activity: “Multi-story buildings help make the most of the close-in opportunity offered by the corridor and infrastructure investments in it; create more synergy; create more significant architecture; and create a stronger sense of place” (PAGE 48) Page 6 of 6 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 • Goal LU 1 - Strengthen market underpinnings and economic activity. o LU 1.1 - Synergy. Zoning, City actions, URA, and business association efforts will assist “high multiplier” uses that bring people and economic activity, and add synergy with surrounding properties. Examples include 1) dwellings, 2) stable living-wage jobs, 3) retail sales and 4) attractions. ▪ This project will provide housing for people in the community on a site that is close to services in the North College Corridor and the downtown area. The close proximity to various services, transit and businesses allows for those living there to have the best chances of success. • Goal LU 2 - Support and complement the Downtown core. o LU 2.1 - Complementary Uses. Development in the North College corridor will support Downtown with jobs and housing bringing residents and workers; will add different attractions ‘across the river’ for people who come Downtown, as Jax Outdoor does at the time of this plan; will improve the attractiveness of Fort Collins for travelers and visitors, ideally with a new or refurbished hotel; and will accommodate expansion of Downtown arts uses, especially with supporting custom small industry and workshop space. ▪ The Fort Collins Rescue Mission will provide more than 200 beds to serve the community. This site being in the North College Corridor allows residents to have easy access to resources and jobs that are available in the corridor as well as Downtown. • Goal LU 3 - Maximize multiple story buildings. o LU 3.1- The City and URA will encourage multi-story buildings, and additional height in one-story buildings, in development projects. ▪ The proposed Rescue Mission building is two stories with architectural features that create a unique variety of elevations on each side. The varied massing between the first and second stories of the building help make the scale compatible with the surrounding neighborhood context.