Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRAIRIE VILLAGE - MAJOR AMENDMENT - MJA140002 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PLANNING OBJECTIVESThe townhomes would be a mixture of 1 1/2 story to 2 story units. The garage buildings would be single story as shown in the attached illustrations. The intent of the development plan is to avoid conflicts between land uses, and the proposed townhomes provide a buffer between the existing retail and office center and existing detached and attached residential development on the south side of Fromme Prairie. Prairie Village has been designed to blend well with, and preserve the character of, the existing communities which surround it. As an in -fill development, it is important to preserve neighborhood quality and the sense of place that has already been established for Harmony Ridge and the adjoining Overlook neighborhoods. The project meets the City of Fort Collins vision for compact, healthy and sustainable living environments. A small common area at the rear of the project area provides open space and the nearby Fromme Prairie is a pedestrian and bicycle connector to miles of pathways, other parks, open space, shopping hubs and work centers. Prairie Village is anticipated to provide more diversity in the area housing product, with affordability based on a preliminary price range of $275,000 for smaller three bedroom, 2.5 bath units, and $325,000 for the end units that have larger yard areas and more square footage. In addition, with two of the eight units having a master bedroom and bath downstairs, Prairie Village will provide an accessible and low maintenance lifestyle for older homebuyers who may not be able to routinely walk up and down stairways. This diversity is important in an aging population predicted for Fort Collins. The landscape design will incorporate dry stream beds and native vegetation to the extent possible in order to conserve water resources and to also further the natural character of Harmony Ridge and the adjoining Fromme Prairie. Native grasses are a natural tie to this nearby recreational and scenic amenity. Sidewalks will be extended during the construction of the Prairie Village project, which will serve to enhance pedestrian access to the Fromme Prairie and to the adjoining neighborhood shopping center. Further, off-street parking will preserve the integrity of existing bike pathways leading to the Fromme Prairie, and protect recreational and commuter bike traffic. The applicant has met with the owners of the retail condominiums next door and there do not appear to be any issues at this time. They are in support of no additional commercial development on the subject site, and of the townhome use. The applicant has also been sending copies of all planning materials to Brian Powers, a Board Member of the Harmony Ridge HOA which adjoins the site under consideration. The applicant will be available for neighborhood meetings upon request. Please feel free to contact either Ken Mitchell 321-288-2101 or Brent Cooper 970-224-5828. Email for Ken Mitchell: lcmitch2000@aol.com Email for Brent Cooper: brent.cooper@ripleydesigninc.com STATEMENT OF PLANNING OBJECTIVES The subject property, to be known as "Prairie Village", is a suburban infill development designed to utilize an undeveloped mixed use parcel that has attracted little market interest to date. The current development plan for the parcel allows for 8,200 square feet of office/retail with 7 residential condominiums on the upper floor. The proposed plan would provide for eight (8) fee simple residential townhome dwellings and associated common area. The proposed plan would not utilize the office/retail use, due to limited demand within the project neighborhood. The proposed plan meets dual needs in the City of Fort Collins housing base; it enhances the diversity of residential product and provides a reasonably priced new home alternative. The site is currently under contract subject to Development Plan and Final Plat approval. The proposed use would include common areas for open space and drainage (20,000+ square feet) with a common driveway access for six (6) of the units. Two (2) of the units will have separate driveways. The development plan would include two buildings, with four units per building. The community will be deed -restricted and subject to a Homeowner's Association responsible for maintenance of common area elements. There are currently no wetlands or distinctive natural features on the site, which has been partially developed and is mowed on a regular basis. There are no existing structures on the site at this time. A portion of the site has been improved with parking spaces and driveways servicing the adjoining shopping center and gas station/convenience store. The prior development plan for Lot 2 was previously approved with 40 parking spaces; 27 for the commercial portion of the project, and 13 required parking space for the residential condominiums. The proposed plan will allow for 16 garage parking spaces, 4 driveway parking spaces and six off-street parking spaces along Fromme Prairie Road. Four (4) existing parking spaces in the retail area will be lost for access to the common drive, but the overall number of spaces will exceed the previous requirement. All of the commercial parking spaces currently exist in a shared parking field with adjoining commercial landowners. A private drive is provided at the rear of the lots. The private drive will serve two purposes. First, the private drive and associated garage structures will provide a visual and noise buffer to commercial activity within the adjoining shopping center, which has a tenant mix that includes a church, a liquor store, a medical clinic, a convenience store with gas pumps and car wash, a dog wash facility, an insurance office, a driver training center and a real estate office. Second, the private drive will alleviate the need to place six (6) of the two car garages along Fromme Prairie Way, an entrance corridor for luxury homes and townhomes as well as a major access point for the Fromme Prairie open space. Only two of the townhomes will have driveways fronting on Fromme Prairie and garages will be set back from the main elevation. The intent is for each four unit building to have the architectural character of a detached single family home.