HomeMy WebLinkAboutPARAGON POINT PUD FINAL - 48 91B - CORRESPONDENCE - MEETING COMMUNICATION (2)r,
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Natural Resources Division
City of Fort Collins
March 2, 1992
Mr. Jim Sell
Jim Sell Design
117 E. Mountain Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Dear Jim:
This letter provides a short summary of.our meeting of February 27,
1992 regarding the development of a Habitat Management Plan for the
Paragon Point P.U.D. I have not tried to summarize every comment,
but to capture the main items of discussion, plus any action items.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you disagree with
anything stated here, or if you believe items should be added.
Attendees
The meeting occurred on Thursday, February 27, 1992 from 2:15 p.m.
until approximately 4:00 p.m. at the office of Jim Sell Design, 117
E. Mountain Ave. Present were: Jim Sell, Linda Ripley, Byron
Collins, Tom Shoemaker, and Karen Manci.
Purpose
The meeting was held to initiate discussions on the content of the
Habitat Management Plan (HMP) for the Paragon Point P.U.D. Mr.
Collins intends to submit a HMP for review by the City to
facilitate the ongoing review of the proposed Paragon Point P.U.D.,
Phase I, by the Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z). Participants
.agreed that it would-be beneficial to all concerned if City staff,
the developer, and his consultants cooperated in thd-development-of
the plan.
Discussion
1. It was agreed that the purpose of the meeting was to begin
discussions, not to reach final concurrence. However, it was
recognized that the draft plan needs to be completed on or around
March 6 to allow sufficient time for review and revision prior to
the P&Z meeting on March 23, 1992. City staff agreed to respond to
information requests and to review materials early in the week of
March 2.
2. Byron Collins reviewed the history of the project and stressed
his intent to maintain many of the natural values of the property.
3. Jim Sell distributed a 2-page document entitled, "Paragon Point
112 N. Howes • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (303) 221-6600
I
Wildlife Habitat Management Plan." The document identifies areas
where background information is required for the HMP and proposes
a format. City staff agreed to review the material and provide
comments early in the week of March 2.
4. There was general discussion of the purpose of the HMP. Sell
said the primary purpose was to document how 'the development
conforms with Criterion 14 of the LDGS regarding wildlife habitat.
Shoemaker noted that Collins had identified other concerns, such as
erosion control. and improving aesthetics, and suggested that the
plan needs to address the following concerns in an integrated
fashion: wildlife habitat, human recreation, erosion control,
water conservation, and site restoration. He said that the HMP
needs to address both design issues, as well as long-term
management and maintenance. It was agreed that the plan needed to
address the issue of raptor habitat, but also should describe plans
to maintain or enhance habitat for other wildlife species.
5. Sell noted that the intent was to address steps to be taken to
maintain or enhance natural systems on the site.
6. Jim Sell distributed a map labeled "Exhibit All which shows the
portions of the site to be addressed by the HMP and identifies
several different habitat zones or management areas. There was
agreement that the area identified would be the subject of the HMP.
Sell reviewed his and Collins' ideas for the various habitat zones
on the site. These included: park, meadow buffer area, shortgrass
prairie restoration areas, riparian corridor, steep slopes, ponds,
and wetlands. Each of the areas would have somewhat different
objectives and management approaches.
City staff agreed to make specific comments early in the week of
March 2. Preliminary comments were as follows:
--Look at opportunities to enhance raptor habitat to offset the
losses associated with the, park and residential areas.
--Identify opportunities for habitat creation in association with
the meadow/buffer area.
--Consider planting Cyperus in some areas of the margins of the
ponds to create habitat for rare butterflies that inhabit the
Fossil Creek drainage.
--Use native grass and forb species in grassland restoration areas.
Select species based on soil characteristics.
--Avoid creating a wooded riparian corridor along Fossil Creek.
Attempt to retain the grassland character of the area, perhaps with
isolated stands of cottonwoods to provide raptor perch sites.
7. There was extensive discussion of prairie dog control methods.
It was agreed that prairie dog management would probably be
t
necessary on -site. Collins and Sell indicated that eradication
would likely be needed on the .northern part of the site and on the
ridge area. Collins and Sell indicated willingness to retain
prairie dogs. in the southern part of the open space. Management
would likely be'tied to vegetative cover; if vegetative cover is
reduced too much, control would be implemented. Need for a buffer
area adjacent to the future residential area was recognized.
8. Shoemaker identified the need to specifically discuss options
for prairie dog control; existing code on the use of traps and
poisons will need to be met; potential effects on nontarget species
will need to be evaluated.
9. Shoemaker asked if there was potential to use the.interface
between the northern and southern parts of the site as an
experimental area to test alternative buffer techniques. Collins
indicated --a willingness to consider such experimentation. It was
agreed to discuss the potential for research with the CDOW.
10. CDOW•involvement was discussed. It was agreed that input from
the CDOW would be sought relative to wildlife values of the .site,
potential -:habitat enhancement approaches, and evaluation of the
HMP.
11. With respect to the open space areas, Collins indicated a
willingness to consider different approaches. He stressed the need
for the park to help meet a package of amenities needed for the
development. He also stressed the need to keep long term
maintenance costs within reason.
I believe this is a fair summary of our conversation. Please let .
me know as soon as possible if there are concerns.
Sincer ,
Tom Shoemaker
Administrator