HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupporting Documentation - Response to Comments - 04/30/2025
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Community Development and
Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6689
970.224.6134 - fax
fcgov.com/developmentreview
April 18, 2025
Carl Szanton
The Szanton Company
720 S Colorado Rd
Denver, CO 80246
RE: 302 Conifer Multi-Unit, BDR240019, Round Number 3
Please see the following summary of comments from City staff and outside reviewing
agencies for your submittal of 302 Conifer Multi-Unit. If you have questions about any
comments, you may contact the individual commenter or direct your questions through your
Development Review Coordinator, Marissa Pomerleau via phone at (970) 416-8082 or via
email at mpomerleau@fcgov.com.
Comment Summary:
Department: Development Review Coordinator
Contact: Marissa Pomerleau mpomerleau@fcgov.com (970) 416-8082
Topic: General
Comment Number: 1
01/14/2025: INFORMATION:
I will be your primary point of contact throughout the development review and
permitting process. If you have any questions, need additional meetings with the
project reviewers, or need assistance throughout the process, please let me
know and I can assist you and your team. Please include me in all email
correspondence with other reviewers and keep me informed of any phone
conversations. Thank you!
SA RESPONSE: Noted.
Comment Number: 2
01/14/2025: SUBMITTAL:
As part of your resubmittal, a response to the comments provided in this letter
and a response to plan markups is required. The final letter is provided to you in
Microsoft Word format. Please use this letter to insert responses to each
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comment for your submittal, using a different font color. Please use the markups
to insert responses to each comment on plans. Please do not flatten markup
responses.
Provide a detailed response for any comment asking a question or requiring an
action. Any comment requesting a response or requiring action by you with a
response of noted, acknowledged etc. will be considered not addressed. You
will need to provide references to specific project plans, pages, reports, or
explanations of why comments have not been addressed [when applicable].
SA RESPONSE: We have provided comment responses here, as well as to the
drawing redlines.
Comment Number: 3
01/14/2025: SUBMITTAL:
As part of your resubmittal, please follow the Electronic Submittal Requirements
and File Naming Standards found here:
https://www.fcgov.com/developmentreview/files/electronic-submittal-requiremen
ts-and-file-naming-standards_v1_8-1-19.pdf?1703783275
File names should have the corresponding number, followed by the file type
prefix, project information, and round number.
For example: 1_SITE PLAN_Project Name_FDP_Rd1.
A list of numbers and prefixes for each file can be found at the link above.
SA RESPONSE: We have complied with the naming convention standards.
Comment Number: 4
01/14/2025: SUBMITTAL:
All plans should be saved as optimized/flattened PDFs to reduce file size and
remove layers.
Per the Electronic Submittal Requirements AutoCAD SHX attributes need to be
removed from the PDF’s.
AutoCAD turns drawing text into comments that appear in the PDF plan set,
and these must be removed prior to submittal as they can cause issues with the
PDF file.
The default setting is "1" ("on") in AutoCAD. To change the setting and remove
this feature, type "EPDFSHX" (version 2016.1) or “PDFSHX (version 2017 and
newer) in the command line and enter "0".
Read this article at Autodesk.com for more on this topic:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarti
cles/sfdcarticles/Drawing-text-appears-as-Comments-in-a-PDF-created-by-Aut
oCAD.html
SA RESPONSE: We have followed the Electronic Submittal Requirements
outlined above.
Comment Number: 5
01/14/2025: SUBMITTAL:
Resubmittals are accepted any day of the week, with Wednesday at noon being
the cut-off for routing the same week. When you are preparing to resubmit your
plans, please notify me with an expected submittal date with as much advanced
notice as possible.
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SA RESPONSE: The BDR Team for the project understands the procedure for
resubmittals.
Comment Number: 6
01/14/2025: INFORMATION:
Please resubmit within 180 days, approximately 6 months, to avoid the
expiration of your project.
SA RESPONSE: The Design Team acknowledges that the response window to keep
project active.
Comment Number: 7
04/15/2025: INFORMATION:
For the first quick check review, the additional review fee will not be charged.
01/14/2025: INFORMATION:
ANY project that requires four or more rounds of review would be subject to an
additional fee of $3,000.00.
SA RESPONSE: Noted.
Comment Number: 8
01/14/2025: NOTICE:
A Development Review sign has been posted on the property. This sign will be
posted through the final decision and appeal process. A request for the removal
of signs will be made by your Development Review Coordinator at the
appropriate time.
SA RESPONSE: Noted.
Comment Number: 10
01/14/2025: FOR APPROVAL:
The Director shall issue a written decision to approve, approve with conditions,
or deny the development application based on compliance with the standards
referenced in Step 8 of the Common Development Review Procedures
(Section 2.2.8).
The written decision shall be mailed to the applicant, to any person who
provided comments during the comment period and to the abutting property
owners and shall also be posted on the City's website at www.fcgov.com.
SA RESPONSE: Noted.
Comment Number: 11
01/14/2025: FOR APPROVAL:
If the project is approved by the Director, there is a two-week appeal period
from the date of the decision. The project is not able to be recorded until it is
confirmed there are no appeals.
SA RESPONSE: Noted.
Comment Number: 12
01/14/2025: FOR APPROVAL:
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All "For Final Approval / For Approval" comments need to be addressed and
resolved prior to moving forward with the final documents and recording of this
project. I will provide a recording checklist and process information when we
are closer to this step.
SA RESPONSE: Noted.
Comment Number: 13
01/14/2025: INFORMATION:
When your basic development review gets approved, you have up to three (3)
years to finish all the necessary engineering work like water, sewer, streets, and
lighting.
This time frame is called the 'term of the vested property right.' If you don't finish
these improvements within this time, you'll lose your right to develop the property
without starting the approval process again.
SA RESPONSE: Noted.
Also, any land dedications mentioned in the approved plans stay valid unless
the law says otherwise.
Comment Number: 14
03/11/2025: FOR APPROVAL:
Please complete the attached Affordable Housing affidavit. Feel free to send
this to me outside a regular round of review.
This affidavit is required in order to receive an Affordable Housing Certification
Letter as required by the Land Use Code 5.2.1(D).
SZANTON RESPONSE: The Affidavit has been completed and has been mailed to
Marissa Pomerleau.
Department: Planning Services
Contact: Kayla Redd kredd@fcgov.com 970-224-6086
Topic: General
Comment Number: 14
1/14/2024: FOR INFORMATION - MODIFICATION TO INDUSTRIAL BUFFER
City Staff acknowledges the modification request to the industrial buffer
requirement and will support the request on the condition of a high quality fence.
SA RESPONSE: Noted.
Comment Number: 20
03/11/2025: FOR INFORMATION - AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
As indicated in the narrative, this project meets the Affordable Housing
definitions outlined in Article 7 of the LUC and shall be subject to the Affordable
Housing standards found in Division 5.2 of the LUC.
SA RESPONSE: This was resolved with the addition of note #21 on
the Site Plan, as confirmed in email with Kayla Redd on 4/23/25.
Comment Number: 22
04/15/2025: FOR APPROVAL - SITE PLAN
Please list modifications of standards in site plan notes.
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SA RESPONSE: We have revised Site Plan Note 6 to include the
Industrial Buffer Modificaiton 5.10.2(C) and Natural Habitat Buffer
Modification 5.6.1(E)2(D) along with brief descriptions of the approaches
taken.
Department: Engineering Development Review
Contact: Tim Dinger tdinger@fcgov.com
Topic: General
Comment Number: 2
04/16/2025: FOR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT:
The DA was sent to Carl Szanton via email on 4/15/25.
SZANTON RESPONSE: The DA has been received and is under review
by the developer.
02/25/2025: FOR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT - UNRESOLVED:
The "Lender Information" section of your DA info form was left blank. Will you be
needing a construction loan for this project, does one already exist, or is no loan
needed? This is necessary information for a certain part of the DA. Please
resubmit DA info form to Tim Dinger (tdinger@fcgov.com) at your earliest
convenience. The DA is being drafted now and will be provided once the City
attorneys complete their review and release the DA. Per our conversation today
(3/12), please clarify the ownership and developer entities to be included in the DA.
01/06/2025: FOR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT:
The "Lender Information" section of your DA info form was left blank. Will you be
needing a construction loan for this project, does one already exist, or is no loan
needed? This is necessary information for a certain part of the DA.
The owner name you provided on the DA info form does not match the County
assessor records. Will you be purchasing this property prior to recording the
plans and other documents?
We will begin drafting the DA once you submit final-level design plans with the
round 2 BDR submittal.
Department: Stormwater Engineering – Erosion Control
Contact: Andrew Crecca acrecca@fcgov.com
Topic: Erosion Control
Comment Number: 13
03/03/2025: FOR RECORDING:
Please provide a copy of the approved Erosion Control Report signed and
stamped by a Professional Engineer for recording.
SLS Response: This is a previous comment. The signed report was
submitted last round.
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Comment Number: 22
04/11/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
The ESC Estimate is missing required items and is not acceptable. Please
see redlines. The ESC Estimate from Round 2 was accepted and will be what
is required prior to DCP or Construction.
SLS RESPONSE: The previously approved erosion control
security estimate and application are included in this submittal.
Topic: Fees
Comment Number: 12
03/03/2025: FEES:
The City Manager’s development review fee schedule under City Code 7.5-2
was updated to include fees for Erosion Control and Stormwater Inspections.
As of January 1st, 2021, these fees will be collected on all projects for such
inspections. The Erosion Control fees are based on; the number of lots, the
total site disturbance, the estimated number of years the project will be active.
Based on the proposed site construction associated with this project we are
assuming 1 lots, 1.20 acres of disturbance, 1.5 years from demo through
build out of construction and an additional 3.00 years till full vegetative
stabilization due to seeding. Which results in an Erosion Control Fee estimate
of $1,637.75 . Please note that as the plans and any subsequent review
modifications of the above-mentioned values change the fees may need to be
modified. I have provided a copy of the spreadsheet used to arrive at these
estimates for you to review. Please respond to this comment with any changes
to these assumed estimates and why, so that we may have a final fee estimate
ready for this project. The fee will need to be provided at the time of erosion
control escrow.
The Stormwater Inspection Fees are based on the number of LID/WQ Features
that are designed for on this project. Based on the plans we identified 1
number of porous pavers, 0 number of bioretention/level spreaders, 0 number
of extended detention basins, and 0 number of underground treatments, results
in an estimate of the Stormwater LID/WQ Inspection fee to be $ $365.00 .
Please note that as the plans and any subsequent review modifications of the
above-mentioned values change the fees may need to be modified. I have
provided a copy of the spreadsheet used to arrive at these estimates for you to
review. Please respond to this comment with any changes to these assumed
estimates and why, so that we may have a final fee estimate ready for this
project. The fee will need to be provided at the time of erosion control escrow. "
SZANTON RESPONSE: The ESC Estimate has been revised and resubmitted
per comment 22 above.
Department: Stormwater Engineering – Water Utilities
Contact: Wes Lamarque wlamarque@fcgov.com 970-416-2418
Topic: General
Comment Number: 18
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04/10/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
Please update Detention Pond A table on the drainage plan to reflect new
detention volumes.
SLS RESPONSE: The detention volume has been updated.
Comment Number: 19
04/10/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
Some of the Porous Paver outfall details may not be needed and may create
some confusion. Please schedule a meeting with me to go over these and to
see what is best for the plans.
SLS RESPONSE: The outfall details have been revised per our 04/21/2025
Team’s meeting.
Comment Number: 20
04/10/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
Please provide on the plans the City's standard porous paver detail.
SLS RESPONSE: The city of Fort Collins detail has been added.
Comment Number: 21
04/10/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
Please provide documentation for the drainage easement over the porous
paver area.
SLS RESPONSE: The drainage easement and application is provided with this
submittal.
Department: Water-Wastewater Engineering
Contact: Wes Lamarque wlamarque@fcgov.com 970-416-2418
Topic: General
Comment Number: 10
04/10/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL - UPDATED:
Please remove the two shrubs in front of the irrigation and domestic service meters.
03/12/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
The shrubs behind the two meter pits are too close to the pits. Please provide 4
feet of separation from the center of the pit to the mature edge of the shrub.
Also, there is one shrub too close to the hydrant. Please revise.
SLS RESPONSE: The shrubs have been removed.
STUDIO TERRA RESPONSE: These shrubs have been removed.
Comment Number: 11
04/10/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
Please revise hydrant to be 3 feet from sidewalk instead of 2 feet. Sorry for the
confusion with this distance.
SLS RESPONSE: The hydrant has been relocated.
Comment Number: 12
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04/10/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
The proposed inline 8-inch gate valve needs to be two feet east of the hydrant
lateral. Please revise.
SLS RESPONSE: The gate valve has been moved to 2’ from the hydrant lateral.
Comment Number: 13
04/10/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
The City requires new hydrant laterals to be C900 pipe. Please revise hydrant
lateral and fire line to C900.
SLS RESPONSE: The fire hydrant lateral pipe is now shown as C900.
Department: Light And Power
Contact: Austin Kreager akreager@fcgov.com 970-224-6152
Topic: General
Comment Number: 5
01/07/2025: INFORMATION:
Electric capacity fees, development fees, building site charges and any system
modification charges necessary to feed the site will apply to this development.
Please contact me to discuss development fees or visit the following website for
an estimate of charges and fees related to this project:
http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers/plant-investmen
t-development-fees
SZANTON RESPONSE: Noted.
Comment Number: 7
01/07/2025: INFORMATION:
You may contact Austin Kreager with project engineering if you have questions.
(970) 224-6152. You may reference Light & Power’s Electric Service
Standards at:
https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/img/site_specific/uploads/electricservicestandar
ds.pdf?1645038437
You may reference our policies, development charge processes, and use our
fee estimator at
http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/builders-and-developers.
SLS RESPONSE: This is an old comment. We have coordinated with Austin.
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Department: Environmental Planning
Contact: Kristie Raymond kraymond@fcgov.com
Topic: General
Comment Number: 2
04/02/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL - UNRESOLVED:
SLS RESPONSE: The NHBZ is shown and called out on the utility plans.
STUDIO TERRA: Landscape drawings show the correct modified NHBZ.
STUDIO LIGHTING: SL Response 4/25/25; NHBZ area updated on
photometric plan.
SA RESPONSE: The Site Plan has been updated to show the
correct modified NHBZ.
03/04/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL - UPDATED:
12/18/2024: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
The top of bank and the Natural Habitat Buffer Zone needs to be delineated and
labeled on the site, grading, utility, photometric, and landscape plan.
Only the area by the drainage ditch will be part of the NHBZ. Please note this
on all of the plans where the NHBZ is shown.
Currently, some of the sheets make it look like the NHBZ includes the parking
area also. It should just be the landscaped area next to the ditch. The parking
area by the NHBZ is the mitigation area that could not be fulfilled on site,
therefore a modification is being proposed.
Comment Number: 6
04/02/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL - UNRESOLVED:
STUDIO TERRA RESPONSE: This has been revised and included
on the NHBZ sheet.
03/10/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL - UPDATED:
12/18/2024: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
Include a NHBZ Sheet with the Landscape Plan that maps out the existing
NHBZ area, area to be mitigated, and NHBZ mitigation. In addition, include a
table with the following: NHBZ to be mitigated, NHBZ mitigation, existing NHBZ,
and proposed NHBZ. Please consult with Environmental Planning on details of
this sheet.
This will need to be revised to only include the NHBZ by the drainage ditch.
Comment Number: 11
04/02/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL - UNRESOLVED:
SA RESPONSE: The NHBZ estimate sheet has been updated.
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03/04/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
For final approval, the details and specifics of restoration and/or mitigation for
the Natural Habitat Buffer Zone must be created. For permitting phase,
development agreement language will be created to memorialize the buffer and
clarify requirements, and a security will need to be provided prior to the
issuance of a Development Construction Permit that accounts for the installation
and establishment of the Natural Habitat Buffer Zone. This total is documented
in a NHBZ Estimate Sheet.
The NHBZ estimate sheet includes wetland restoration costs. Please discuss
these details with City of Fort Collins Environmental Planning. Additionally, the
shrub numbers do not match with the landscaping sheet.
Comment Number: 17
04/10/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
Please add/change the following information to the Restoration Plan and the
Restoration Plan Summary (should be included in the Landscape Plan):
- Weed management for pre construction, during construction, and post
construction. Weed management conducted early is recommended.
- Soil prep details other than compaction, and prior to the commencement of
grading, the contractor shall be required to show proof of equipment cleaning.
The mechanism for showing proof should be agreed upon between the
contractor and the City of Fort Collins Environmental Planning before
implementation of the grading. Prior to seeding a City of Fort Collins
Environmental Planning inspector needs to confirm proper seed bed
preparation and seed mix details are appropriate.
- Irrigation details. Irrigation is allowed the first two growing seasons, and then
should be pulled.
- On page 10 of the Restoration Plan it states the following, "The City has also
required an overall success rate of 80% for all planted or seeded vegetation on
the property." Please change to the following, "The total vegetative ground
cover contributed by all desirable plant species (excepting mature trees) is
equal to or greater than the desirable vegetative cover of the applicable
reference area from that calendar year. No more than five percent (5%) of the
species noted on the site may be weedy or noxious species as defined by city
code section §20-41 and Colorado Department of Agriculture's Noxious Weed
List as defined by the Colorado Noxious Weed Act §35-5.5. The development
site shall display no evidence of detrimental erosion due to rills, gullies or
excessive bare spots of ground. And the survival rate of all planted shrubs and
trees is equal to or greater than eighty percent (80%)."
- Please add the following in the reporting section, "The consultant shall notify
the City of Fort Collins Environmental Planning prior to each inspection. After
each inspection of the NHBZ, the consultant should email a brief narrative
summarizing the findings of the site visit and corresponding action items to City
of Fort Collins Environmental Planning, the developer, and the landscaping
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contractor. A brief report containing survey findings and recommendations will
be provided to the City by October 31st of each year. This will give the City of
Fort Collins Environmental Planning and the applicant ample time to discuss
and implement adaptive management to address any underperfoming areas
prior to when on-the-ground treatment implementation would be needed, if
determined necessary."
CTL THOMPSON / STUDIO TERRA RESPONSE: All of these notes have
been added to both the report and the landscape plans.
Department: Internal Services
Contact: Russell Hovland rhovland@fcgov.com 970-416-2341
Topic: Building Insp Plan Review
Comment Number: 1
01/06/2025: Multi-family Construction shall comply with adopted codes as
amended. Current adopted codes are:
2021 International Building Code (IBC) with local amendments
2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) with local amendments
2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with local amendments
2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) with local amendments
2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) with local amendments
2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) with local amendments
Colorado Plumbing Code (currently on the 2021 IPC)
2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) as amended by the State of Colorado
Projects shall comply with the current adopted building codes, local
amendments and structural design criteria can be found here:
https://www.fcgov.com/building/codes
New 2024 building codes will be adopted in 2025.
Accessibility: State Law CRS 9-5 & ICC/ANSI A117.1-2017.
Snow Live Load: Ground Snow Load 35 PSF.
Frost Depth: 30 inches.
Wind Loads: Risk Category II (most structures):
• 140mph (Ultimate) exposure B or Front Range Gust Map published by The
Structural Engineer's Association of Colorado
Seismic Design: Category B.
Climate Zone: Zone 5
Energy Code:
• Multi-family and Condominiums 3 stories max: 2021 IECC residential chapter.
• Commercial and Multi-family 4 stories and taller: 2021 IECC commercial chapter.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
• Electric vehicle charging parking spaces are required per local IBC
amendment 3604, which requires 70% of parking spaces provide 3 types of EV
charging. For affordable housing these number are reduced.
• If the building is located within 250ft of a 4 lane road or 1000 ft of an active
railway, must provide exterior composite sound transmission of 39 STC min.
• R-2 occupancies must provide 10ft to 30ft of fire separation distance
(setback) from property line and 20 feet between other buildings or provide fire
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rated walls and openings per chapter 6 and 7 of the IBC.
• All multi-famliy buildings must be fire sprinkled. City of Fort Collins
amendments to the 2021 International Fire Code limit what areas can avoid fire
sprinklers with a NFPA 13R, see local IFC 903 amendment.
• Bedroom egress windows required below 4th floor regardless of fire-sprinkler.
All egress windows above the 1st floor require minimum sill height of 24”.
• If using electric systems to heat or cool the building, ground source heat pump
or cold climate heat pump technology is required.
• A City licensed commercial general contractor is required to construct any
new multi-family structure.
• Energy code requires short hot water supply lines by showing plumbing
compactness.
• For projects located in Metro Districts, there are special additional code
requirements for new buildings. Please contact the plan review team to obtain
the requirements for each district.
Building Permit Pre-Submittal Meeting:
For new buildings, please schedule a pre-submittal meeting with Building
Services for this project. Pre-Submittal meetings assist the designer/builder by
assuring, early on in the design, that the new projects are on track to complying
with all of the adopted City codes and Standards listed above. The proposed
project should be in the early to mid-design stage for this meeting to be
effective. Applicants of new projects should email rhovland@fcgov.com to
schedule a pre-submittal meeting.
Stock Plans:
When the exact same residential building will be built more then once with
limited variations, a stock plan design or master plan can be submitted for a
single review and then built multiple times with site specific permits. More
information can be found in our Stock Plan Guide at
fcgov.com/building/res-requirements.php.
SANTULAN RESPONSE: Noted.
Department: Technical Services
Contact: Jeff County jcounty@fcgov.com 970-221-6588
Topic: Construction Drawings
Comment Number: 8
04/14/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
Please make the changes to the Benchmark Statement on all sheets that used.
See markups.
03/07/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
01/13/2025: FOR FINAL APPROVAL:
Please provide the following information for the Benchmark Statement in the
EXACT format shown below.
PROJECT DATUM: NAVD88
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BENCHMARK # w/ DESCRIPTION
ELEVATION:
BENCHMARK # w/ DESCRIPTION
ELEVATION:
PLEASE NOTE: THIS PLAN SET IS USING NAVD88 FOR A VERTICAL
DATUM. SURROUNDING DEVELOPMENTS HAVE USED NGVD29
UNADJUSTED DATUM (PRIOR CITY OF FORT COLLINS DATUM) FOR
THEIR VERTICAL DATUMS.
IF NGVD29 UNADJUSTED DATUM (PRIOR CITY OF FORT COLLINS
DATUM) IS REQUIRED FOR ANY PURPOSE, THE FOLLOWING EQUATION
SHOULD BE USED: NGVD29 UNADJUSTED DATUM (PRIOR CITY OF
FORT COLLINS DATUM) = NAVD88 DATUM - X.XX’.
SLS RESPONSE: The datum revisions have been made throughout the utility
plans.
Topic: Easements
Comment Number: 14
04/14/2025: TECH SERVICES ONLY:
We have no comments.
SLS RESPONSE: Noted. No comments.