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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY SPECIAL REVIEW COUNTY REFERRAL - 44 91 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTSITEM NO. 4 MEETING DATE 1 0/21/91 IL (4Li4A STAFF City of Fort Collins PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD STAFF REPORT PROJECT: Poudre Fire Authority Referral #44-91 APPLICANT: Poudre Fire Authority 102 Remington Street Fort Collins, CO 80524 Special Review - County OWNER: Colorado State University PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A request for special review for a training facility, on 28 acres, located north of Vine Drive, 1/4 mile west of Overland Trail. The site is zoned FA-1 Farming in Larimer County. RECOMMENDATION: Approval with condition EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This request is for special review for a training facility for the Poudre Fire Authority. The training facility consists of a pond to be used for water rescue training, a "burn building" used to simulate fire and smoke conditions in burning structures and a 68-foot training tower, to simulate fire fighting in high-rise structures. The proposed use is compatible with the surrounding area, given the site layout and anticipated buffering. A condition regarding Vine/Overland intersection improvements is recommended. DEVEIAPMENT SERVICES 300 LaPorte Ave. P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins. CO 80522-0580 (303) 221--6750 PLANNING DEPARTMENT pg. 4, Poudre Fire Authority Training Facility Without the large classroom facility, the amount of traffic we would be generating during' a high usage day would typically be between the hours of 9:OOam and 4:OOpm when we could have up to three fire engines and two light vehicles there at one time. The fire engines are staffed by either three or four personnel and the light vehicles would be those, used by members of our Training Division. Training sessions with this number of personnel would be conducted twice a day with three engines in the morning and three other engines in the afternoon. The members of the Training Division would be there to supervise each session. Exercises of this nature could be scheduled as often as six times per month when weather allows. -- -------...._.._.---- - _ ---- There will be no full time employee's at the site and we could have as many as four fire engines per day there at different times to train on individual company skills. Should any night training be scheduled, it will need to be completed prior to 9:OOpm. We do not anticipate this will occur more than three evenings a month twice a year or a total of six evenings per year. Should we receive approval from the Larimer County Planning Commission at their hearing on October 16, 1991, we would hope to have the project considered by the Larimer County Commissioners on November 18, 1991. If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Aic-e, &ate Gene Chantler Di"Vi'slon Chief Enclosure rosco fog... in all the right es-- .47 in film, q�,ash - v ov jbinment in, veente i Nothing, But Nothing, Will Work As Well Here's what an agency of the U.S. Government, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) said about the Rosco system: `Two main advantages to the Rosco system are the low toxicity of the components which comprise the liquid smoke solutions and the fad that the aerosol generated has no unpleasant odor, leaves no residue and does not irritate the eyes or mucous membranes." The report went on: "CONCLUSIONS Current environmental data suggests that polyfunctiond alcohols used in the Rosco smoke formulation have extremely low toxicities and pose little, if any, health risk by the typical routes of exposure (inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion)." This report verifies what thousands of users, along with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, have found. Nothing, but nothing, will work as well as Rosco Fog Fluids to produce a fog that is dry, non -irritating and reliable for performers, technicians or patrons. Scented Fog Fluids Rosco's range of scented fog fluids designed for use with all Rosco fog machines, offers special advantages for all special applications in live entertainment Scents currently available are: Pina Colada, Lemon, Tropical, Apple Blossom, Strawberry and Mint They have been carefully tested and approved for use in the Rosco system without affecting machine warranties or operation. ID Stage and Studio Fluid This special formulation offers the same safety features as standard Fog Fluid with two additional benefrts for users in theatre and television. This fluid will produce fog which dissipates more quickly than the standard fluid. This is especially useful for theatrical or video applications where the effect must appear (and disappear) on cue. When chilled, Stage and Studio Fluid generates an excellent low-lying theatrical fog which dissipates quickly without rising in the air. 'HETA 88-117 Report. published by the Division of Surveillance. Hazard Evaluations and Feld Studies of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NOSH). Nom Introducing the Rosco=45001 Talk about volume. Using the new Model 4500 is like having three Model 1500 machines in one case. This compact machine has a remarkable output of 4500 cubic feet of fog per minute. 5�; 7-=- —. The 4500 contains three heat exchangers, all fed �� by a peristaltic pump. Electronic controls precisely V...JtytSv�--- - _ t regulate the speed of the pump, thereby controlling the volume of the fog. w� The Model 4500 features an internal I�/z liter tank for fluid. Users who prefer to feed fluid from larger external containers can do so easily with a simple � �• f'OSCO `'- hose connection. The internal tank is designed so that _ fluid level is visible from outside the machine. J:.. A full set of controls and indicator lights is positioned on the back of the machine where they are protected by a metal cover. A standard remote control is also included at no extra charge. An Academy Award Performance The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Rosco with an Academy Award for "the development of an improved non -toxic fluid for creating fog and smoke". Recognizing the benefits of this technical achievement, film and video crews everywhere have replaced oil formulations with Rosco fluid. �L 1,0, a s 5 C 0 n 0 nj Y F' o0e] If the bottom line is your top concern, you should consider Rosco's Model 1300 Fog Machine. Although if s the least expensive of all the Rosco Fog Machines, there's no stinting on its quality. In fact many of the same components used in both the 1500 and 4500 will be found in the 1300. Output of the 1300 is not continuous and may not fill your space as quickly as the 1500, but the price may suit your budget nicely. ACADEMY AND ROSCC i AN IMPROVSD AND iMOK£ 10 T£D. c roc ROSCO FOG FLUID FOG FLUID 0820613 LABEL READS: For use in Rosco's fog machines. Use directly from container. Do not dilute. Do not combine with other materials. Machine must be free of oils before use. If necessary, flush fog machine with distilled water before using. HEALTH CAUTION: Vapor from this fluid, like any other common material in a vaporized state, may be irritating to some persons with allergenic sensitivity. Do not expose at close range to known asthmatics. SAFETY CAUTION: Do not fog very high concentrations of this product into small, tightly -enclosed spaces. Caution does not apply to spaces with normal ventilation. Northern Engineering Services, Inc. August 14, 1991 Mr. James A. Cox Architecture Plus 3.18 East Oak Street Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 -:---- -re: - Conceptual --Wastewater Investigation Poudre Fire Authority Training Academy Larimer County, Colorado Project No. 9119.01 Dear Jim: At your request, Northern Engineering Services has conducted a conceptual investigation of wastewater for the proposed Fire Training Academy to be operated by the Poudre Fire Authority. The project site is a 28-acre parcel located on the western end of Vine Drive, approximately 1,300 feet west of the intersection with Overland Trail.. The site is generally flat, sloping gently downward to the northeast and is mostly covered with dryland grass. Existing water mains run north -south in an easement along the south half of the east boundary of the site. These mains are a 24-inch high pressure main belonging to the City of Fort Collins and a 48-inch low pressure main serving the Anheuser-Busch brewery, but maintained by the City of Fort Collins. East of these lines, another 24-inch main belonging to North Weld County also runs north=south. A city --of Fort Collins 10-inch sanitary sewer main flows east in Vine Drive from a manhole approximately 600 feet east of the southeast corner of the site. Proposed site improvements consist of a Burn Tower for training fire fighters, six fire hydrants, a permanent pond for pumping into and out of, and separate men's and women's restrooms. Approximately 1,000 feet of roadway will provide access to the facilities. Mr. Mark Taylor, of the City of. Fort Collins Water and Wastewater Department, has indicated that the project can probably tie to the existing 10-inch main in Vine Drive. There may, however, be a problem with a gravity sewer crossing the existing water mains with enough elevation to reach the existing main. 420 S. Howes • Suite 106 • Fort Collins. Colorado 80521 • (303) 221-4158 Mr. James A. Cox August 14, 1991 page 2 Mr. Gene Chantler, of the Poudre Fire Authority, has indicated that a maximum flow 5,000 gallons per 'minute will be pumped from the fire hydrants during training and testing operations. This maximum flow would occur approximately two or three times per year and would last for two to three minutes. Required flows for the restrooms would easily be provided by a water distribution system sized to handle the flows described above. If you have any questions or comments regarding the preceding, please contact me at your earliest convenience. Sincerely. NORTHERN ENG NEERING�SERVICES, INC. Michael F. Jones; P.E. Northern Engineering Services, Inc. August 19, 1991 Mr. James A. Cox Architecture Plus 318 East Oak Street Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 r e : Proposed Street Improvement s----------.-------..--------_-._. _._.. _-- .-- .----.--____-- -- _-- ..-- ... Poudre Fire Authority Training Academy Larimer County, Colorado Project No. 9119.01 Dear Jim: At your request, Northern Engineering Services has conducted a conceptual investigation into the proposed Fire Training Academy to be operated by the Poudre Fire Authority. The project site is a 28-acre parcel located on the western end of Vine Drive, approximately 1,300 feet west of the intersection with Overland Trail. Proposed site improvements consist of a Burn Tower for training fire fighters, six fire hydrants, a -permanent pond for pumping into and out of, and separate men's and women's restrooms. Approximately 1,000 feet of roadway will provide access to the facilities. It is our understanding that the proposed roads serving the interior of.the project are to be paved to support the expected f_i.r_e__v-eh.i.c.l_e.s.: _At. the -time that _final. a final design_-o.f—the project'is prepared, the pavement section for these roads will be determined based on a soils investigation and on the type of vehicular traffic expected for the site. If you have any questions or comments regarding the preceding, please contact me at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, NORTHERN ENGINEERING ERVICES, INC. 1A 4 ./ . Michael F.,.Jon6s, P.E. 420 S. Howes • Suite 106 • Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 - (303( 221-4158 Mr. James A. Cox August 14, 1991 page 2 If. after further analysis, the existing water mains do prevent a gravity sewer connection to the east, an on -site sewer main can be constructed to flow into a septic holding tank which would be periodically emptied by a commercial pumping service. If you have any questions or comments regarding the preceding, please contact me at your earliest convenience. - -- ----------Since re l y , — ---- -- - - .. — --- NORTHERN EXes. SERVICES, INC. Michael F.. POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY FIRE TRAINING FACILITY SITE ACCESS STUDY LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO AUGUST 1991 Prepared for: Poudre Fire Authority 102 Remington Street Fort Collins, CO 80524 Prepared by: MATTHEW J. DELICH, P.E. 3413 Banyan Avenue Loveland, CO 80538 Phone: 303-669-2061 Poudre Fire Authority Special Review - County Referral, #44-91 October 21, 1991 P & Z Meeting Page 2 COMMENTS 1. Background The surrounding zoning and land uses are as follows: N: FA-1; agricultural use S: FA-1, I; agricultural use, research lab E: FA-1; agricultural use, horse boarding, residential W: FA-1; agricultural use This site is zoned FA-1 Farming in Larimer County. The FA-1 Zoning District permits such a training facility as a permitted land use, subject to special review approval by Larimer County. Although this property is owned by Colorado State University and therefore, does not have to follow City or County review procedures, the applicant, Poudre Fire Authority, has made a commitment to follow the applicable county review process. 2. Land Use: This site is part of the Colorado State University property west of Overland Trail. The training facility consists of a pond to be used for water rescue training, a "burn building" used to simulate fire and smoke conditions in burning structures and a 68-foot training tower, to simulate fire fighting in high-rise structures. The site is adjacent to farmland or pasture on three sides. There is some large lot residential use in the area and a horse boarding facility to the east. CSU's agricultural engineering facility is located to the southeast. Further development in this area is unlikely, since most of the surrounding property is in public ownership. The area to the north is within the Urban Growth Area and therefore, does have the potential to be developed at urban level densities in the future. The Larimer County Land Use Plan designates this area for Rural Non -Farm land uses. Land uses typically intended for these areas are single family residential at a density of 1-2.5 acres per unit and associated neighborhood commercial services, schools, parks and open space. The proposed training facility is low intensity, in nature, with the expected maximum usage typically between 9 am and 4pm. During this time, three fire trucks and two light vehicles would be expected at the site at any one time. Of the 28 acres on site, the majority of the site is retained in open space, with the proposed structures (tower, burn building, pond) located at the western edge of the site. With the proposed low intensity use of the site, as I. Introduction The Poudre Fire Authority is proposing to operate a fire training facility located west of Overland Trail and north of Vine Drive (extended) in Larimer County, Colorado. The approximate location is shown in Figure 1. Both Vine Drive (CR 48) and Overland Trail (CR 21) are Larimer County administered roads. Vine Drive has a rural cross section (shoulders) east and west of Overland Trail. East of Overland Trail, it has two 12 foot lanes with a 7 foot paved shoulder on the south side and a 2-4 foot gravel shoulder on the north side. There is a small island which, separates westbound right turns from the throughs and left turns, which share a lane. On the east leg, passing is allowed in the eastbound direction leaving the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection. West of Overland Trail, Vine Drive has two 12 foot lanes with no shoulder on either side of the road. There is no passing in either direction on the west leg of Vine Drive. Vine Drive has stop sign control at Overland Trail. The posted speed on Vine Drive is 30 mph on the east leg and unposted on the west leg. Overland Trail has a rural cross section north and south of Vine Drive. South of Vine Drive, it has two 12 foot lanes with a 2 foot gravel shoulder on the east side and a 6 foot or more gravel shoulder on the west side. On the south leg, passing is allowed in the southbound direction leaving Overland Trail/Vine Drive Intersection. There is a painted crosswalk crossing Overland Trail just south*of Vine Drive. North of Vine Drive, Overland Trail has two 11 foot lanes with a 4 foot gravel shoulder on the east side and a 1-2 foot gravel shoulder on the west side. On the north leg, passing is allowed in the northbound direction leaving the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection. The posted speed on Overland Trail is 35 mph. The Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection is offset both —east/west and north/south. The offset for Overland Trail is approximately 12 feet with the south leg being west of the north leg. The offset for Vine Drive is approximately 7 feet with the west leg being north of the east leg. These offsets present both operational and safety concerns. In April 1990, Larimer County applied for Federal Hazard Elimination Funds to correct this condition. Solutions to correct the problem will be discussed later in this report. Land uses in this area of Larimer County are primarily agricultural. The Colorado State University Agricultural Engineering Research facility is located south of Vine Drive approximately 900 feet west of Overland Trail. There are also some large single family dwelling units on large lots with no apparent agricultural uses. Casual observation indicated that none of these establishments were high trip generators. 1 j •,I', o ��.v30 �_. I y 281 .'t .iJ _- I itPUY6e „ Ij� et �,.. L / 26`'.' teM50611•.<.7j-4 9c•YF III I u"' ! 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J m 7❑❑-7C�J�❑❑� Lr `U� f• JUUI—A__IUC W y 1 nob TE ���� IM �OOLO[3C 17 G U�a UNIVEa Ty . 7❑�1❑E7CE1[ 1.1741 �1C1. �j❑o �L � � 1 \ � 11 II \ilt I �/ l•I �4 �`� 9 o iinJ��:. _ 7 I . 065 Hughe itN - , • - - ,.011 .. r Stadium `� �` y Y\! ,`� u q 22 23u r E 1� 20 ravelx > C \i ; � �/ pp��jME���4 j[�q Fit �)1 " Dixon Can on I( v = - o Dam II �. �`• _ •� 1 �.I 11 l •ser oil\ , lTt:-_1,r I elT I',I •� �� 3 �,I r / HC, I.i`\ I 28: _ II���`L`•---27Ina ---- _.2Fi 1�• laC'V F r , Inll1\ �( x rav I n Mort n\ 1 G 1 Ome • 1 , ' � W1 \ O sis .,1 , \\ a Pits I I 6° f• I -�. . i lilt �(s. u...p1,. j . ^ , •.. \, \ -. ;!+ h=rGc�—r .I F � ll t': �1 �JJ. soea • /�I I OI�W\A\/i�\ _/ C �F a Ir �' II -Dr 11 , Lake 33(C_• 71• Spring Canyon 35 3G \ l I �. Gravel 1 1 Q1, Dam / Pit nlc 1 hie ClellanA,; < I J I t"- f s., NN is Mtn l N SITE LOCATION Figure 1 II. Traffic Projections A. Existing Traffic The most recent daily traffic counts near the Overland Trail/ Vine Drive -intersection were obtained in 1989. These counts are two way volumes on each leg of the intersection and are shown in Figure 2. Peak hour counts were obtained on June 6, 1990. These counts are also shown in Figure 2. Raw data is shown in Appendix A. Using the two lane highway analysis from the 1985 Highway Capacity Manual, this segment of Overland Trail operates at level of service C and D conditions. Calculation forms are provided in Appendix B. This is acceptable operation.. With the existing stop sign control, the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection operates as shown in Table 1. This operation is deemed acceptable. Traffic counts were obtained after the regular CSU school year was over. However, due to the nature of the activity at the Agricultural. Engineering Research facility, it was determined that the CSU school year had little or no influence on traffic at this intersection. Table 1 1990.Peak Hour Operation Operation Intersection AM PM Overland Trail/Vine Drive WB LT/T C B WB RT A A EB RT/T/LT A A NB LT A A -- SB LT A A B. Proposed Development The Poudre Fire Authority is proposing to locate a fire training facility on a parcel of land north of Vine Drive (extended) and approximately 1000 feet west of Overland Trail. A schematic site plan is shown in Figure 3. At full development, the site will have a burn building and training tower. C. Trip Generation Trip generation is customarily obtained from the ITE Trip Generation Manual or other approved sources. However, a fire 3 J sc oI �— 30/94 now (11%) J —39/31 oolb ) t 3/4� 3/9 —� dQ m cr orj 1989 DAILY AND 1990 PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC m 1�00 (19bq) VINE DRIVE AM/PM Figure 2 OVERLAND TRAIL ) I a Z J SCHEMATIC SITE PLAN Figure 3 training facility is not listed in any of the reference material on trip generation. Therefore, interviews were conducted with the Poudre Fire Authority staff. This source is deemed to be more reliable than any general documents on trip generation. High use at the fire training facility will not be constant throughout the year. The highest intensity use at the fire training facility will occur 5-10 times per month, during about a six month period when good weather can be expected. This is termed maximum occupancy in Table 2 and can be considered to be a worst case scenario. Subsequent trip assignments used the maximum occupancy scenario for analysis purposes. The reasoning being, if acceptable operation can be achieved using the worst case,. then all other levels of use will be acceptable. Table 2 Trip Generation Daily AM PM Land use trips in out in out MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY 20 5 5 0 5 5-10 Times/Month 3 Fire Trucks 2 Light Trucks D. Background Traffic Background traffic is defined as the traffic that is and/or will be on the area streets that is not related to the proposed development. The roads considered for the operations analysis are Overland Trail and Vine Drive. Background traffic for impacted streets was projected to the years 1995 and 2010. These are considered to be the short range and long range future years, respectively. Background traffic was projected to increase at 2 percent per year for both future years. This rate of increase is normal for streets and roads which are not likely to be dramatically impacted by major development. There is no indication that this area of Larimer County/Fort Collins will experience dramatic growth pressure. E. Trip Distribution The manner in which trips are distributed will vary. Trip distribution is usually based upon projected development within the Fort Collins Urban Growth Area for each future year. However, the N. generated trips will be from/to Poudre Fire Authority Stations. Fire station vehicles will come to and leave the site on a given day. Most fire stations will likely access the site from/to the south along Overland Trail. However, the worst case would be access via Vine Drive. This would involve a crossing maneuver in each direction. Therefore,.the distribution used was to/from the east along Vine Drive. F. Traffic Assignment Using the vehicular trip origin and destination assumptions presented above, the site generated traffic was assigned to the Overland Trail/Vine Drive'intersection. Figures 4 and 5 show the trip assignment plus the background traffic for the short and long range futures, respectively. III. Traffic Impacts A. Overland Trail Operation Using the two lane highway analysis from the 1985 Highway Capacity Manual and the volumes shown in Figures 4 and 5, the segments of Overland Trail both north and south of Vine Drive operate at level of service C and D during the morning and afternoon peak hours. Calculation forms are provided in Appendix C for the short range future and in Appendix D for the long range future. This is acceptable operation. The short range future assumes the existing cross section on Overland Trail. The long range future assumes an improved cross section on Overland Trail and an increase in the peak hour factor.. The improved cross section will be discussed later in this report. B--I•nter-section Operation Using the unsignalized intersection analysis from the 1985 Highway Capacity Manual and the volumes shown in Figure 4, the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection will operate acceptably as shown in Table 3 in the short range future. Calculation forms are provided in Appendix C. Acceptable operation is considered to be level of service D or better. 7 B 34/10e 13/Z 44/4Z 1/1 -�/ VINE DRIVE 3/ 10 3/10�� ��� .9 AM/PM Q N 1995 PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC Figure 4 , � Q �~ N 0 VINE DRIVE 2010 PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC Figure 5 Table 3 . 1995 Peak Hour Operation Intersection Overland Trail/Vine Drive (existing geometrics) WB LT/T WB RT EB RT/T/LT NB LT SB LT Operation AM PM D C A A B A A A A A Using the volumes shown in Figure 5, the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection operates as indicated in Table 4. Calculation forms are provided in Appendix D. This. operation assumes realignment of the intersection and left -turn lanes on all legs of the intersection. Westbound left turns on Vine Drive fall into the level of service E category. This is primarily due to the increase in background traffic on Overland Trail rather than specifically related to this proposed development. It is normal that the minor street left turns experience• level of service E and sometimes level of service F operation during the peak hours. Isolating these left turns into exclusive left -turn lanes will confine any delays, which might be experienced by these vehicles, to only those vehicles that desire to turn left. During the non -peak hours, acceptable operation will occur at this intersection for all movements. Table 4 2010 Peak Hour Operation Intersection Overland Trail/Vine Drive (improved geometrics) WB LT WB RT/T EB LT EB RT/T. NB LT SB LT 9 Operation AM PM E D B A D D C A A A A A C. Signal Warrants Using the short and long range traffic projections, signals will not be warranted at the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection. D. Intersection Alignment The Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection is offset for both streets. As shown in Figure 6, the south leg of Overland Trail is approximately 12 feet west of the north leg of Overland Trail and the east leg of Vine Drive Is approximately 7 feet south of the west leg of Vine Drive. These alignment problems cause both operational and safety concerns. Operationally, a through vehicle on Overland Trail (northbound and southbound) must jog a full lane width through a very short length. This is complicated if a northbound or southbound left turn is stopped on Overland Trail waiting for the approaching vehicle to pass. This jog causes very real safety concerns as witnessed by the accident records for this intersection. Appendix E shows a plot of the accidents from January 1984 through March 1990. From the accident diagrams and the. individual accident records, analysis shows that a significant portion of the accidents that occur at this intersection are due to the alignment problems.. It is recommended that the alignments of both Overland Trail and Vine Drive be improved as per Larimer County's application for Federal Hazard Elimination Funds. If funds are not forthcoming for improvement of the entire intersection, every effort should be made to correct the offset on Overland Trail as the first priority. While the offset on Vine Drive is of concern, it is not as critical as the Overland Trail problem. E. Sight Distance Due to the offset of Overland Trail and physical obstructions, there are sight distance restraints for stopped vehicles on Vine Drive. An eastbound vehicle on Vine Drive can only see a vehicle approaching from the north when it is approximately 210+ feet north of the stopped vehicle. A westbound vehicle on Vine Drive has a sight line of 135+ feet to the south. These sight distance restraints are illustrated in Figure 7. The approach speeds (posted) are 35 mph from each direction. The design condition is the crossing maneuver for the design vehicle. There is no sight distance restraint to the right for a stopped vehicle on either the east or west leg of Vine Drive. 10 Poudre Fire Authority Special Review - County Referral, #44-91 October 21, 1991 P & Z Meeting Page 3 well as the proposed site design, staff believes that the intent of the County's Land Use Plan has been met and that the proposed training facility is compatible with the surrounding area. The area in private ownership to the north is within the UGA. At sometime in the future the CSU property will be included in the UGA and City limits. 3. Design• Poudre Fire Authority is proposing a 50-year lease with CSU for the use of this 28-acre site. The lease also includes an option for an additional 30 years. Development of the site is intended to be phased between 1992 and 1995. The first phase would include utilities, curb and gutters, street paving, drainage work and the construction of a pond to be used for runoff and water related rescue training. The "burn building" is intended to be constructed in 1993 (as phase two) to simulate live fire conditions. A combination of live fire, smoke machine and natural gas would be used to create realistic heat and smoke conditions. This structure would be masonry, designed to withstand repeated fires. National standards specify the materials to be used for such construction. These materials are untreated and free of pesticides and other chemicals. Use of these materials is not to create smoke or heat, but for practice in locating and extinguishing fires. Natural gas is used in this structure to create heat. Smoke would be generated through the use of a smoke machine, which produces non -toxic and non -irritating smoke. The third phase of this development is the construction of a 68 foot training tower, planned to simulate high-rise fire fighting. Approval for this tower (which exceeds the County's 40 foot height limit) has been granted by the County's Board of Adjustment. Due to the location of residential uses in this area, the applicant is proposing landscape buffering in three locations. Buffering around the east side of the pond (to mitigate noise from pumping water from the pond) will include earth berming, vegetative buffering and consideration of the location of the staging area at the pond. The frontage buffer would consist of a row of shrubs and trees along the east property line. The "donated buffer" is intended as an additional method for addressing visual concerns for existing residences and provides an amount of plant material to be used for screening at the homeowner's discretion on their own properties. Plant materials proposed for the frontage and pond buffers are native, drought tolerant species. The open pasture area will essentially be retained in its current state, with any disturbed areas being reseeded to match existing pasture grass. 0 ' -� I I I I I 1" : 50' VINE DRIVE ROAD ALIGNMENT OFFSETS AT OVERLAND TRAIL / VINE DRIVE Figure 6 Sight Distance Limit to the North - 210' I N 1" : 50' l VINE DRIVE Sight Distance Limit to the South - 135' SIGHT DISTANCE RESTRAINT, AT OVERLAND TRAIL / VINE DRIVE Figure 7 The design vehicle for this intersection should be a single unit truck with a 20 foot wheel base (SU 30). This is one foot longer than the largest fire truck (228 inch wheel base) expected to use this access as reported by Poudre Fire Authority staff. For the crossing maneuver, a sight distance of 455 feet should be striven for. If the alignment were corrected and the physical obstructions were removed, it would appear that acceptable sight distance could be achieved at this intersection. F. Site Circulation Using the design vehicle (SU 30), the site plan was evaluated with regards to turning radii. The schematic site plan showing the access roads and driveways could accommodate the design vehicle. G. Recommended Geometrics The recommended geometrics at the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection are shown in Figure 8. These geometrics assume that both Overland Trail and Vine Drive will be realigned as recommended earlier in this report. Larimer County uses criteria documented in the Colorado State Highway Access Code. These geometrics will require acquisition of right-of-way from neighboring property owners. The final design of this intersection and the extent of that property acquisition is beyond the scope of this traffic study and should be the subject of further engineering work. . It is recommended that the general cross section of Overland Trail be two 12 foot lanes (one in each direction) with at least 6 foot shoulders on each side. Widening at the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection should occur as mentioned above. -- IV. Conclusions The following summarizes the significant findings as a result of this study: - Traffic operation along this segment of Overland Trail is acceptable. The Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection operates acceptably. .There are alignment problems on both Overland Trail and Vine Drive which should be corrected. - The proposed fire training facility will likely generate approximately 20 vehicle trips per day on the worst case day which will only occur 5-10 times per month.. 13 Q N �AG 0 T1 lAll6 24+ Q � 0' TAPE2 F- N +TAPER +TAPERS X VINE DRIVE 4 MINIMUM GEOMETRICS WITH REALIGNMENT OF OVERLAND TRAIL AND VINE DRIVE INTERSECTION Figure S - With the fire training facility development traffic and an increase in background traffic, Overland Trail will operate at level of service C and D during the peak hours in both the short and long range futures. - The Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection •will operate acceptably in the short range future. In the long range future with the recommended geometrics (Figure 8), operation at the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection will be acceptable,, except for minor street left turns during some peak hours. These left turns should be in exclusive lanes. - Signals will not be warranted at the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection. - The Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection alignment should be corrected and safe sight distance should 'be achieved.. The design vehicle for the intersection and site is a 30 SU vehicle. 15 Poudre Fire Authority Special Review - County Referral, #44-91 October 21, 1991 P & Z Meeting Page 4 4. Neighborhood Compatibility: The applicant has been working with area residents and held a neighborhood meeting July 31, to address concerns about this proposal. Initially, a classroom for up to 100 persons was proposed when this facility was being considered as "regional" in nature; however, this classroom has since been deleted, with the intent for this training facility to primarily serve PFA. Concerns about the proposed "burn building" and noise levels were raised by residents and demonstrations have been held to address these concerns. The provision of the buffers for the site, as well as off -site is intended to mitigate any impacts from the proposed use of this site on area properties. 5. Transportation: Access and traffic impacts are of concern for this site, given the current status of the Vine and Overland Trail intersection. A traffic impact analysis was provided by the applicant. This analysis showed that while operation of this segment of Overland is acceptable, the alignment problems at this intersection should be corrected. The proposed training facility is expected to generate a maximum of 20 VTE per day (on worst case day) about 5-10 time each month. With the training facility traffic and an increase in background traffic, Overland Trail will operate at levels C and D in the short and long range futures. In the long range, the Vine/Overland Trail intersection needs an alignment correction and safe sight distance provided. Staff recommends a condition that no development or use of the property occur until the alignment problems at the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection, as identified in the traffic impact analysis, are corrected. RECOMMENDATION The Poudre Fire Authority Special Review meets the intent of the Larimer County Land Use Plan and is compatible with the surrounding area. Additional traffic resulting from the use of this site warrants improvements to the Vine Drive/Overland Trail intersection. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the Poudre Fire Authority Special Review, #44-91, with the following condition: No development or use of the property occur until the alignment problems at the Overland Trail/Vine Drive intersection, as identified in the traffic impact analysis, are corrected. sas, J _ i. II I • � c o •'lam I .li- Ai in I _ _ CANAL — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -- FA 1 II Q MUNICIPAL AjRP'QR'II N II Y .Soldier Gmsws 11 u . Reservoir N s/ 1 VINE DRkE B •so7 - • •R1 View • - j: T APORTE .AVAN ITEM: POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY Special Review NUMBER: 44-91 _ ,, :..�•.. �a• ASK :-+y::. ._.__ .. ` r Page 15 e qtu aclp-uL-- Z ^' e+ ..1 •..t I � I; �J1i-iw:t�t '. (Sx h riJ el�:r ti y `t •� itil VuLfurce-2 wlu- M 41 Tp•++iF'Y t'f� ; � � I I CV cf VW IA4 n» Phone 303-221-6581 A/ 102 Remington Street lil01`l Fort Collins, CO 80524 August 16, 1991 Gerald White Zoning Administrator Larimer County Planning Dept. P.O. Box 1140 Fort Collins, CO 80522 RE: Poudre Fire Authority Training Facility Dear Jerry: The Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) has negotiated a 50 year lease with Colorado State University (CSU) on the Foothills Campus for the purpose of developing a training facility to serve our department. The cost of the lease is one dollar per year which CSU has waived for administrative purposes. The lease includes an option for an additional 30 years. Although the approximately 28 acre site is on CSU property, our intent is to follow the Larimer County approval process. Funding for the project is currently included in a long term capital improvement package being considered as part of the 1992 City of Fort Collins budget process. If the anticipated funding is approved, our plan is for development of the site to be accomplished in three phases. The first phase of the project calls for the site work to begin in 1992. This will include utilities, curb and gutters, street paving, drainage work, and the building of a retention pond. The retention pond will be used to capture runoff from water used during training exercises, ice rescue in the winter, water rescue, and for the testing of the pumps on our fire engines. In 1993 we would hope to construct a burn building which will simulate live fire conditions. In order to train our firefighters as to the amount of heat and smoke they would likely confront during an actual fire, we will be using a combination of live fire, a smoke machine and natural gas to create these conditions. PROTECTING LIVES & PROPERTY pg. 2, Poudre Fire Authority Training Facility The burn building will be a masonry structure designed to withstand repeated fires over a number of years. Strict national standards only allow Class A materials to be used for these fires. Class A materials are defined in the standard as "pine excelsior (wood shavings), wooden pallets, straw, hay and other ordinary combustibles". The straw and hay are to be untreated and free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. The burning of a Glass A material would not be used to produce the heat and smoke a firefighter might encounter but would be used for training in locating and extinguishing a fire. _ __To.generate.the high temperatures firefighters must experience.- the burn building will use natural gas to produce the heat. By using natural gas we are able to control the temperature and immediately eliminate the source of heat should one of our personnel become endangered. This eliminates the need to burn a large amount of Class A material to produce the same temperatures and enhances the safety of our personnel. Smoke will be generated by the use of a smoke machine originally designed for use in the entertainment industry. The smoke is non- toxic and non -irritating. It produces a thick smoke similar to that found in an actual fire but contains no particulate. I have included information on the machine and the fluid used to create the smoke. We would also use this building to train in the use of the self contained breathing apparatus worn by firefighters in hazardous atmospheres, search and rescue training, and the strategy and tactics of fire fighting in single family residences. The planned third phase of the project is the construction in 1995 of a 68 foot training tower to simulate a hi -rise building. A1-though -the- tower- wi 11 not be used for -1 i-ve-f-i•r-es,--we-wi 11-st41 1 be able to simulate a fire attack in a hi -rise building. Hi -rise fires require a great deal of logistical support and coordination between the crews operating in a building of this size and height. This structure would also be used for training in high angle rescue, smoke ventilation practices, elevator rescue, aerial apparatus procedures, laddering, rope rescue, standpipe and sprinkler systems support, and for training in developing large water streams at a major fire such as was needed when Mawson Lumber burned. The burn building has been a source of concern for those living in the area of the proposed site. On June 29th we invited the neighbors to a demonstration burn at the Loveland Fire Department's training facility. We attempted to create: a worst case scenario by setting a fire in the burn building using Class A materials and leaving the smoke machine running inside the building until it was completely filled with smoke. We then opened the building and allowed the smoke to escape and it dissipated within 125 feet of the structure. pg. 3; Poudre Fire Authority Training Facility One of the neighbors was concerned as to the sound levels:our fire engines would create when operating at the high RPM's needed to supply the fire attack lines. She brought a sound level meter and took her recordings at a distance of 400 feet from the engine. The highest level she recorded was 75db at that distance. The site plan for the facility calls for the burn building to be located approximately 1,100 feet from the nearest residence. Based on their observations and readings at the demonstration burn, the neighbors indicated we had satisfactorily addressed their concerns regarding the smoke and noise -levels - ---------- We scheduled a neighborhood meeting to be held on July 31st and went' door to door handing out approximately 100 invitations to residents in the area. At that meeting the question of the amount of smoke we would produce was once again raised. Rather than have the answer come from someone with the PFA, I asked those who attended the demonstration burn in Loveland to respond to the question. Their answer was the amount of smoke was not an issue. When we presented our site plan at the neighborhood meeting it included additional structures we had hoped to develop in future years. Since that time we have learned what the City of Fort Collins is proposing to fund future PFA capital projects. This funding revenue will be used to build future fire stations and replace our fire engines ($227,000 average cost per engine), in addition to funding construction of the training facility. The number of dollars we will have available to fund all of our capital needs severely restricts our ability to consider a facility beyond the scope of what we are currently proposing. For us to attempt to anticipate what the availability of funds and training needs might be beyond 1995 is unrealistic. A major concern expressed at the neighborhood meeting -centered around the amount of traffic generated by a proposed classroom facility that could hold up to 100 students. The classroom is no longer part of our current plans. Should we have funding to build a classroom facility in the future, the decision we have made within the PFA is to build to serve the needs of our department rather than building to serve as a regional facility. This would eliminate the need for a classroom capable of holding 100 students. While the facility can still have the capability for usage by other emergency response agencies within the area, the PFA cannot afford to build a. regional training facility with the funds we have available. Whatever future expansion we might consider will also follow the Larimer County approval process and be subject to gaining such endorsement based on public input and County review.