HomeMy WebLinkAboutCITY OF FORT COLLINS UTILITY SERVICE CENTER PDP AND PLAT - 16 90E - CORRESPONDENCE - CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONE
P
Tanya Shenk
Alan Franklin
715 Elm Street
Fort Collins, Colorado 80521
970 416=7341
Planning and Zoning Board
300 Laporte Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80522
August 26, 2002
RECEIVED
AUG , g 20p2
CJRRENT PLANNING
RE: City of Fort Collins Utility Service Center (700 Wood Street) Project Development Plan and
Plat #16-90E
Dear Planning and Zoning Board;
We have reviewed the current plans for the Fort Collins Utility Service Center Expansion on
Wood Street. Of course, our greatest desire would be to leave the property as open space. It is
used heavily by the neighborhood and the open field serves as a buffering to the intense
development throughout the city of Fort Collins. However, if that request is to be denied then as
one of the homeowners who will be most affected by the development, given that our house
directly faces the area, we would ask that you consider our concerns on specific aspects of the
development. We would also ask that you take into consideration our suggested alternatives that
would minimize the impact of the development on our property and, we feel, on the
neighborhood. This development not only impacts the quality of our property as we live there
but will also affect its resale value.
1. The new vehicle storage building is proposed to be built along the western edge of the
development with a north -south orientation: If this building were centered on the south end of
the development and placed at an east -west orientation the building could serve, partially, as
both a visual and sound barrier to the activities that will occur in the parking area..
The placement of this building at one time was originally in the east -west orientation. Jack
Gianola of Operations Services, said it was changed to agree with the consensus of the
neighborhood. He graciously provided me with the neighborhood meeting minutes (we've
attached copies for you as well). Although the history of the project notes the switch in
orientation due to neighborhood concerns, the two meetings in November 2001 indicate that this
is no longer the wish of the neighborhood. In fact a request from us is noted in the meeting
minutes to have the building orientation made east -west. We will try to canvas the
neighborhood before the September 5' meeting and get current input from other neighbors
concerning this issue.
We feel this request is the most critical to be considered as it will provide the greatest
opportunity to minimize the visual and sound impact of this industrial development on the
adjacent residential neighborhood.
2. Increase the berm height to 104, it was suggested by the City in the meeting minutes of
November 15 and 29, 2001 that this could be done. The current plan calls fora berm of 3 hills
that are built to be only 6-7' above the street level at their peak, with the berm being even shorter
between the hills.
3. Replace the trees proposed for planting along the sidewalk with conifers so that they will also
serve as a visual barrier in the winter.
3. Provide conifer trees to those neighbors immediately across the street from the development
for planting on the city property adjacent to their front yards to increase their visual barrier to the
development..
4. We would prefer to not have Elm Street paved between Loomis and Wood Street,
5. We would like some consideration be given to keeping some of the existing trees. Building
placement and parking lot design could be modified to save some of the larger trees.
We do not have the specifications of the parking lot or buildings that will be constructed but ask
that lighting be minimized. Also, as has been noted in the meeting minutes the construction and
planting of the landscape berm is to occur years prior to the construction of any buildings.
On a positive note, the planned trail access to Lee Martinez Park will be an asset to the
neighborhood, both visually and to eliminate vehicle use of the current alley. Thank you for
conducting the requested Preble's mouse survey on the development site and for providing us
with a set of the development plans.
Lastly, we thank you for the opportunity to express our concerns about the current development
plan and hope you will take our plan change requests under consideration. Given that we and the
neighborhood permanently lose a wetland and open space, the requests listed above seem
minimal.
Sincerely,
''
Tanya Shenk
Alan Franklin 1
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