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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOUDRE RIVER WHITEWATER PARK - PDP160039 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning & Zoning Board March 16, 2017 Page 3 Staff and Applicant Presentations Chief Planner Shepard gave a brief overview of this project. Secretary Cosmas reported that, since the work session, one citizen email has been received with concerns regarding the homeless population. Also, Traffic Operations provided a memo following up on a work session concern regarding the number of parking spaces being offered. Due to some technical issues, the Board took a break at 6:10pm; the hearing resumed at 6:20pm Matt Day, Senior Landscape Architect with Park, Planning and Development, provided a detailed presentation of this project, beginning with the history of the project development and how it fits into the City's Master Plan. He detailed the proposed urban interface with the river and the proposed improvements related to the habitat, stormwater, etc. He showed several renderings from various directions. He highlighted the future accessibility to the river (including ADA accessibility). He stressed the fact that this will be the first recreational and instream water right site. He showed context imagery with river pictures that illustrate the connectivity of the riparian habitat. He explained the project goals: • Eliminating the 100-year overtopping of the river; • Formalizing water quality, including a return system; • Removing river barriers to allow fish passage with habitat enhancements; • ADA access from both sides of the river with trails and connectivity; and • Providing whitewater features, a pedestrian bridge, and future park improvements. Mr. Day also discussed the future parking plans, noting that 65 spaces are planned for off-street parking. He showed a picture of the projected bow -string bridge and some other landscaped scenic areas. He also showed the overlook shelter, which is still being developed as a historic interpretation site. Finally, he discussed the outreach between departments, staff, stakeholders and community (including other Boards and Commissions), saying he feels this project has had a true public/private partnership. Member Hobbs asked whether parking may be available along Vine Drive; Mr. Day responded that there will be curb/gutter parking along all street frontages, including 19 spaces along Vine Drive. Public Input (3 minutes per person) Tim O'Hara, 1929 WCR 56, supports this project, emphasizing his endorsement of the public/private partnership that has developed. Mr. Day clarified that Mr. O'Hara is a member of the Whitewater stakeholder group involved in this project. Board Deliberation Member Hobbs will support this project, commending John Stokes in the Natural Areas department for the work he did on developing the instream flows. Member Carpenter made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve the Poudre River Whitewater Park PDP 160039, based upon the findings of fact contained in the staff report that is included in the agenda materials for this hearing and the board discussion on this item. Member Whitley seconded. Chair Schneider also complimented this project. Vote: 5:0. Planning & Zoning Board March 16, 2017 Page 2 Planning Director Gloss reviewed the items on the Consent and Discussion agendas, noting that the Poudre River Whitewater Park PDP was moved to the Discussion agenda. Public Input on items Not on the Hearing Agenda: Nick Hawes, 2233 Katandin Drive, complimented the newly -established Planning Department procedures for posting supplemental correspondence online so that the public can see all documents just before each P&Z hearing begins. Consent Agenda: 1. Draft Minutes from February 16, 2017, P&Z Hearing Public Input on Consent Agenda: None noted. Member Hobbs made a motion that the Planning and Zoning Board approve the March 16, 2017, Consent agenda as presented; Member Carpenter seconded the motion. Vote. 5:0. Discussion Agenda: 2. Poudre River Whitewater Park PDP 3. The Standard Apartments 4. Whitman Outdoor Storage APU 5. Waters' Edge PDP 6. Downtown Plan - Recommendation to City Council 7. 2017 Annual Revisions, Clarifications and Additions to the Land Use Code Project: Poudre River Whitewater Park PDP Project Description: This is a request by the City of Fort Collins to construct a new community park on approximately 11 acres on both sides of the Poudre River. The site is located east of N. College Avenue and south of E. Vine Drive. The western limit is the N. College Avenue bridge and the eastern limit is the BNSF Railroad bridge. Proposed improvements on the north bank include public open space, parking lot, river access, walking trails and future public restrooms. The existing Quonset Hut would be preserved. Proposed improvements on the south bank include an elevated overlook, stone terracing, pergola and picnic facilities. The two banks would be connected by a new bike/pedestrian bridge. In - stream improvements include river channel modifications and new wave features for kayaking. Both banks would be improved with removal of the irrigation diversion structure, installation of new bank stabilization features and planting of new native vegetation. Most of the site is zoned Public Open Lands, P-O-L, with a portion along E. Vine Drive zoned Community Commercial — Poudre River District, C-C-R. Recommendation: Approval Jeff Schneider, Chair Jeff Hansen, Vice Chair Jennifer Carpenter Emily Heinz Michael Hobbs Ruth Rollins William Whitley City Council Chambers City Hall West 300 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins, Colorado Cablecast on FCTV Channel 14 & Channel 881 on Comcast The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs, and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call 221-6515 (TDD 224-6001) for assistance. Regular Hearing March 16, 2017 Member Schneider called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call: Carpenter, Hobbs, Rollins, Schneider, and Whitley Absent: Hansen and Heinz Staff Present: Gloss, Leeson, Yatabe, Shepard, Holland, Frickey, Langenberger, Branson, Lorson, Mapes, Wilkinson, Hahn, Ragasa, Thiel and Cosmas Agenda Review Chair Schneider provided background on the board's role and what the audience could expect as to the order of business. He described the following procedures: • While the City staff provides comprehensive information about each project under consideration, citizen input is valued and appreciated. • The Board is here to listen to citizen comments. Each citizen may address the Board once for each item. • Decisions on development projects are based on judgment of compliance or non-compliance with city Land Use Code. • Should a citizen wish to address the Board on items other than what is on the agenda, time will be allowed for that as well. • This is a legal hearing, and the Chair will moderate for the usual civility and fairness to ensure that everyone who wishes to speak can be heard.