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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTACO BELL RESTAURANT 11.15.1990 NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING - 51-90 - MINUTES/NOTES - CORRESPONDENCE-NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING:. SECOND NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING MINUTES PROJECT: Taco Bell at Prospect and College P.U.D. APPLICANT: Les Nordhagen, Taco Bell REPRESENTATIVE: Al Hauser, Architecture One DATE: November 15, 1990 PROJECT PLANNER: Ted Shepard QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, COMMENTS The meeting began with a presentation by Officer Ken Kirchoff, Crime Prevention Division, Fort Collins Police Services. Data from Police records were discussed. There were about 22 calls to 1538 South College (Taco Bell) from January to September of 1990. Most of these calls were minor. Most calls were late at night. Most incidents were resolved by the time officers arrived on the scene. According to Officer Kirchoff, the Taco Bell manager is very good about calling in a report quickly at the beginning of an incident which helps alleviate the situation. The shift commander reported that the number of incidents at Taco Bell is no better or worse than any other establishment that stays open late at night. In fact, the Taco Bell on West Elizabeth is considered worse than the one at Prospect and College. Off -duty police officers work at both stores on weekends. Officer Kirchoff encouraged citizens to summon police at any disturbance. Its the job of Police Services to respond. The Following Comments Pertain to Officer Kirchoff's Presentation 2. One citizen suggested that a letter be written to the parent corporation, Pepsico, in order to get Taco Bell to minimize the disturbances to the neighborhood. 3. One citizen, who has a teenager in school, reports that Taco Bell has a reputation for a place to obtain drugs. 4. As a taxpayer, one citizen resents the fact that his tax dollars are being used to "babysit" Taco Bell during late hours while the company sits back and makes a profit. This represents a public subsidy and Taco Bell is enjoying a free ride. 5. It was acknowledged by all the parties that the worst problem is after "teen night" at Fort Ram. This special night allows teens into Fort Ram on Sunday evenings during the summer, or whenever there is no school on the following Monday. Teen night has been discussed with the manager of Fort Ram who acknowledges that teen night has become an institution and that advertising is not necessary. It is not unusual to have kids come in from Cheyenne and Greeley. The manager is aware that Taco Bell is a destination after the bar closes at midnight. Y 6. One citizen suggested that Taco Bell represents an attractive nuisance by staying open so late. 7. Noise is the biggest problem at Taco Bell with car stereos being the worst offenders. Could the recently passed noise ordinance be used to keep the noise level down? RESPONSE: According to Officer Kirchoff, the new noise ordinance has not been enforced against loud car stereos. This question will be referred to Officer Rich Johnson, Special Enforcement Unit, who administers the noise ordinance. 8. It is likely that most of the litter at High School Park originates at Taco Bell. 9. One citizen expressed that the proposed building expansion and adding a drive-thru lane are not the critical issues. The most important aspect of the P.U.D. is to get Taco Bell to be a more considerate neighbor, and to respect the values of the surrounding residents. RESPONSE: Taco Bell has worked hard since the last meeting to control the problems. The off -duty officer is trying to keep loitering to a minimum. Taco Bell is not aware of any drug dealing on the premises. Taco Bell will make a commitment to close the restaurant on Sunday evenings at midnight so the Fort Ram crowd will not disturb the area. Hopefully, this will change the perception among teens that Taco Bell is the hangout on Sundays. In addition, Taco Bell will consider closing the loop in the drive-thru exit lane that would allow cars to cycle back into the parking lot. This may help discourage loitering. Closing the lobby earlier than the drive-thru lane may also help. This is being done now on West Elizabeth and seems to have a positive effect on reducing loitering in the parking lot. Taco Bell continues to have an employee who is charged with picking up litter in the alley and the surrounding area every morning. The following Comments Pertain to Al Hauser's Presentation 10. The installation of a four foot wide, concrete median in Prospect to restrict turning movements is applauded. By preventing left turns into the site, thru traffic will not be blocked on Prospect. This is a big improvement. 11. What trees will be lost with the expansion? RESPONSE: There are two trees by the existing house that would be lost. The large tree on College Avenue would be saved. 12. How will the median on Prospect and the new right turn lane affect the landscaping along the Prospect frontage? RESPONSE: Unfortunately, the area devoted to landscaping along Prospect would be severely impacted by the new dedications for public improvements. It will be very difficult to place down any sod or shrub beds. However, in urban situations, it will be possible to use tree grates to install deciduous shade trees and ornamental trees. Taco Bell will work with the Planning Department and the City Forester to get as much material in as possible. Please keep in mind that the decision to give up landscaping is not made easily but, rather, is a trade-off to install the traffic improvements. 13. How long will it take to complete the Choices 95 project? RESPONSE: As you know, the Choices 95 project is not a bond issue or special improvement district but a sales tax funded capital improvement plan. The project will be completed by 1993 subject to projected revenues derived from the general sales tax over the next three years. This "pay as you go" approach was approved by the voters in a special election. 14. What are the opportunities for promoting bicycle traffic with the Choices 95 project? RESPONSE: Since bikes are not allowed on College Avenue, the adjacent sidewalks will be widened to conform to the arterial standard of seven feet. Bikes are safer on the sidewalk in this location than on the street. 15. One citizen would like to go on record to promote as much physical improvement to the intersection as possible. With a direct linkage to I-25, this intersection is critical from a regional transportation perspective. The City should be actively pursuing State funding assistance. With two corners vacant, the City should consider purchasing right- of-way to take advantage of low property values before these corners are developed. By acquiring these corners, the City can construct whatever is necessary to improve traffic movement, and would be able to control the land uses and potential curb cuts. If these properties develop, and are entitled to access to the arterial streets, then the efficiency of the intersection will suffer, congestion will be added, and safety will suffer. The time to act is now. RESPONSE: These are good comments. Greg Lanning, project manager for the College/Prospect Choice 95 project is in attendance and will make a note of these suggestions. 16. What has been decided about the fence height along the alley? RESPONSE: Taco Bell would prefer a six foot high versus an eight foot fence. An eight foot fence resembles more of a wall and could block light. from the adjacent properties. At the moment, Taco Bell is considering a solid, masonry, six foot fence. 17. Would Taco Bell consider a decorative, landscaped trellis on top of a six foot fence to help block the noise? RESPONSE: Sound is not effectively blocked by a trellis with vines or plantings. Sound buffering is accomplished with mass. A trellis may be considered from a decorative standpoint but not from a noise buffering standpoint. 18. What are the plans for the existing house? RESPONSE: Taco Bell has explored using the house but has found that the floor plan does not allow for our kitchen equipment to be installed in an effective manner. Taco Bell is of the belief that if the house were used, it would have to be remodeled beyond recognition. Discussions have taken place with the Fort Collins Housing Authority who has experience in relocating houses. Taco Bell does not want to destroy the house. 19. Where will employees park? RESPONSE: Employees will park in the lot in designated spaces. 20. How many more parking spaces are there? RESPONSE: The new lot is proposed to have 32 versus the present number of 21. 21. Since your Campus West store closes the lobby late at night and just serves from the drive-thru, would you be willing to do this at Prospect and College. RESPONSE: Taco Bell is seriously considering this partial closure on weekends to help prevent disturbances. 22. Does Taco Bell know that Poudre R-1 is considering moving Fort Collins High School to a new location in the southeast part of the City? Will this affect the expansion plans? RESPONSE: Yes, Taco Bell is aware that the bond issue passed but that the School Board has not taken final action on the high school relocation. 23. One citizen expressed the fact that he lives in the neighborhood and feels the area has a special character that is different from College Avenue south of Prospect. He is concerned that the building expansion, the removal of the house, the loss of trees will all contribute to changing the character that is established. How does Taco Bell feel about this? RESPONSE: Thank you for these comments. Taco Bell feels that we are part of the neighborhood too. We have been there for over 20 years. At present, we are not too proud of the existing store. We think a new facility will upgrade the intersection. Certainly our store in Longmont, next to Twin Peaks Mall, is of higher quality than the existing store. It is acknowledged that given the current site constraints, and the Choices 95 project, that there will be trade-offs. The new store will more tasteful, the intersection improvements will help the entire City, and we hope to solve the noise problems. OPERATION AT COLLEGE/PROSPECT INTERSECTION Condition Noon Existing Condition ►0-30-90 PM Existing geometrics D(29.7) D(29.7) With Choices 95 C(23.3) C(24.7) With Choices 95, RT arrow EB/NB/SB C(22.9) C(24.1) With Choices 95, single SBLT, RT arrow EB/NB/SB C(22.9) C(24.3) Future Traffic, Full Access @ Prospect With Choices 95, RT arrow EB/NB/SB With Choices 95, single SBLT, RT arrow EB/NB/SB With Choices 95, RT arrow EB/NB/SB/WB, WBRT lane With Choices 95, single SBLT, RT arrow EB/NB/SB/WB, WBRT lane Future Traffic, R-in/P.-out Access @ Prospect With Choices 95, RT arrow EB/NB/SB With Choices 95, single SBLT, RT arrow EB/NB/SB With Choices 95, RT arrow EB/NB/SB/WB, WBRT lane With Choices 95, single SBLT, RT arrow EB/NB/SB/WB, WBRT lane C(23.0) D(25.3) C(23.1) D(25.5) C(22.6) C(24.9) C(22.7) D(25.1) C(22.9) D(25.2) C(23. 0 ) D(25.5) C ( 22. 6 ) C(24.9) C(22.7) D(25.1)