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HomeMy WebLinkAboutProject Narratives - 01/29/2025 Jan-25 P a g e | 1 Streetscape Project Description Montava Phase D – Infrastructure (North Giddings Road ‘Fiddle’ Roundabout Intersection) January 2025 The Phase D Infrastructure plans for Montava include a six-legged fiddle-shaped roundabout on North Giddings Road. Since Giddings is an arterial road, the City of Fort Collins Parks Maintenance will assume responsibility for the maintenance of the landscape and irrigation in the center of this roundabout after the completion of the warrantee period as described in the Development Agreement. The remaining landscaped areas within the Montava Phase D project area will be maintained by the Montava Metropolitan District. Landscape and irrigation design plans for this roundabout are included in the Montava Phase D Roadway Utility Plans. The Montava development project has established a non-potable water system to be used for all landscape irrigation in the development. The irrigation source for the roundabout is a 1” Point of Connection to the non-potable system. This tap and controller are located near the north end of the roundabout and serve only the irrigation for this area. The adjacent ‘splitter island’ medians on the six legs will not be landscaped based on concerns for City maintenance crews to access these areas safely. Physical Characteristics, Design Influences and Design Description The roundabout includes an 11’ wide truck apron around its entire perimeter. In addition, another 10+ feet on the north and south ends of the roundabout are delineated as limited sight distance zones, requiring plantings no taller than 24” in height. Two parallel water lines run north/south along the west part of the roundabout, limiting the ability to plant trees or shrubs in this area. Trees must be located at least 10 feet from the water lines and shrubs set back at least 4 feet. Only perennials, ornamental grasses, and groundcovers are shown in these areas. Since these perennial plantings require a higher need for annual maintenance (trimming, dividing), some areas of native seed have also been planned over these utilities. All plants selected have moderate or higher salt tolerance ratings, although the anticipated salinity of the non-potable irrigation water is not expected to exceed 1.8-2.2 dS/m. Since the planted area within the ‘fiddle’, at nearly one-half acre, is significantly larger than a traditional roundabout, the landscape design includes large evergreen trees near the middle of each of the north and south ends. It also includes some areas of native seed to create visual interest and to break up the large expanse of mulch. The remainder of the roundabout contains planting beds with boulders, shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, and groundcovers. The roundabout slopes up gently from the adjacent roadway to provide positive drainage and to visually enhance the plants and boulders. Two concrete pads are provided to allow for maintenance vehicles to park without impeding tra@ic through the intersection. Path connections with smaller cobble mulch are provided from these pads through the roundabout to help with access to planting areas for maintenance. Jan-25 P a g e | 2 Maintenance Considerations The roundabout planting and irrigation design follows the current streetscape design standards and recommendations for best practices from city sta@. Plants should remain in natural condition and require no ornamental pruning or shearing. Prior to planting, noxious and weedy species should be controlled using mechanical or chemical methods. Soil amendments are required in all planting areas except for native seed areas. After planting is complete, standard weeding and clean-up/trash removal in shrub planting beds is anticipated. Areas with perennials, ornamental grasses, and groundcovers will require annual maintenance each spring (or fall) to cut back dead plant material to allow for new growth. Weed barrier is planned in all cobble mulch areas to help reduce weed growth. Wood mulch areas will not include weed barrier to allow plants to spread naturally and to reduce loss of mulch in windy conditions. Periodic replenishing of wood mulch will be required to ensure an adequate depth to help with weed control, 3” minimum depth. Native seed areas, one established, are intended to be maintained in a natural (not mowed/manicured) condition. Periodic mowing may be required for weed control during establishment, but these areas should not be mowed lower than 5 inches in height. After the native seed areas are established, maintenance can be reduced to periodic weed control. There are no urban design features (rails, fences, artwork) planned for the fiddle intersection at this time that would require maintenance or stocking of parts.