Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT 1999 ELEMENTARY - SITE PLAN ADVISORY REVIEW - 19-97 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning and Zoning Board Minutes October 16, 1997 Page 5 Member Chapman commented that the neighborhoods are already having some traffic problems, and as the schools grow the problems will become worse. He felt that the City should keep track of what is going on with the traffic and to address the issues. Member Weitkunat commented that when it comes to school's we look at traffic in far more detail because of the safety issues with children. She was real concerned with the traffic around schools and the movement of people. She hoped that the School District would look at this more closely for future planning. Member Davidson commented that the record should show the Board's concerns with the left turn onto Timberwood Drive while there is a steady flow of traffic going up and down Corbett Drive for two hours. Also the fact that there is no light to stop them coming off of Harmony. Member Colton felt the Timberwood/Corbett intersection was a prime candidate for a round -a -bout. He also was concerned with the parking and how people get to it. He would also like to see a few trees and some landscaping near the rear of the school and he agreed with the walkway and bikeways to the school. Member Gavaldon was concerned with traffic and felt that the School District should take responsibility along with the City to bring in a complete plan. He felt the immediate problems should be addressed and not put off until the future. Chairperson Bell thanked the District for coming down and listening to the Board's comments. She proposed that the School District and the Board have another worksession to discuss some of the things like the Board discussed tonight so future projects could have more detailed information from them. The motion was approved 7-0. Project: REA Annexation and Zoning, #64-93D Project Description: Request to annex and zone 9.39 acres located on the west side of South College Avenue, south of Harmony Road and the Arbor Plaza Shopping Center, and n orth of Fossil Creek Nursery. The Burlington Northern Railroad is adjacent along the west property line. The property is developed and is in the Business and Commercial Zoning Districts in Larimer County. The requested zoning in the City is C, Commercial. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes October 16, 1997 Page 4 the area, he thought that we needed to make sure that the traffic concerns are taken care of adequately. Public Input Closed Chairperson Bell asked that the foot and bike path concern be addressed. Mr. Spearnak responded that they are open to working with the city to facilitate the walk in children. Timberwood is planned to be extended in the future and that will help the traffic situation there. Kathleen Reavis, Transportation Department replied that it was possible to work together with the School District and with the park plans to come up with some linkages for both pedestrians and bicycles to connect the neighborhoods. She also stated that this school will be looked at like any other school for the Safe Route to School Program and the necessary improvements would be made as they are needed. Chairperson Bell asked about other traffic options that would eventually take place that would ease the problem that is currently happening. Eric Bracke, Transportation Department replied that from an overall transportation perspective, there is a series of collectors and connectors in this area. Corbett is a collector and will extend south. Timberwood would also connect a little further to the west to a collector that would head up to the north to another access point on Harmony Road. Mr. Bracke stated that there would be about 300 cars coming in the morning and in the afternoon. That was a high demand, but he thought the street system could handle the additional traffic. He stated that the intersection of Timberwood and Corbett would be looked at to see if additional controls would be necessary. He stated that they would work with the neighborhood in terms of looking at the safe route to school. Mr. Bracke stated that the signal at Harmony Road and Corbett has a tremendous amount of excess capacity and can handle quite a bit more traffic than what would ever be planned for this square mile. Once the street system is complete, it should operate significantly better. Member Davidson felt that the School District should go back again and look at the traffic flow. Member Weitkunat moved that the Board recommend approval to the School District for the 1999 Elementary School site plan along with the condition that is noted in the staff report and all the comments made here tonight. Member Chapman seconded the motion. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes October 16, 1997 Page 3 Mr. Spearnak replied that at this time there was no plan to alter the loop around Preston. The District still feels that moving the parking to the south side of the school would make the safety situation even worse. Member Gavaldon asked if the Preston football field would be fenced like the one that just went up at Fort Collins High School. He asked if they had any guarantee it would remain open for the use of the students and the community. Mr. Spearnak replied that the same situation does not exist here and that the fence at Fort Collins High was there to protect the new half million dollar track that was just put in. He stated that there was nothing to preclude at sometime in the future that a fence would not go up. That decision is made by the Facilities Department. Public Input Alex Applehaus, lives in Timbercreek Subdivision stated his concern was with the foot traffic that is coming from the Timbercreek Subdivision, Stetson Creek Subdivision and also for the students attending Preston through school of choice living in Harmony Crossings and Willow Springs. He stated that there are currently many students who walk through the fields that will now be occupied by this school. His concern is that if some sort of foot or bike path is not provided for the students, they will be forced to go onto Harmony Road. He asked the Board to consider a foot or bike path that could connect the subdivisions to both school areas. Vicky Ringer, resident at the low -density residential area concurred with Member Gavaldon in keeping the area an open space. She also asked that there be no fence. She agreed that there should be foot and bike paths provided. She also had concerns with the additional traffic that the school would create. She would like to see the traffic routed to the south end of the school to keep the residential area residential. Ms. Ringer also asked that the building stay in a low profile. Carol Furcolow, lives in Wildwood Townhomes was concerned about the traffic. She stated that she has waited 15 minutes to get out at the corner of Timberwood and Corbett. She feels that the traffic is excessive already without another grade school. She is worried about emergency vehicles getting access. She suggested a three-way stop sign at Timberwood and Corbett and signs to not block the driveways at the townhome entrance and exits. Steve Every, lives in Wildwood Townhomes was also concerned with traffic. Mr. Every was concerned with speeds on Corbett reaching 40 mph with children in the area. Mr. Every expressed his concern that, while he applauded having an elementary school in Planning and Zoning Board Minutes October 16, 1997 Page 2 Member Weitkunat moved to approve the remainder of the Consent Agenda. Member Colton seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7-0. Project: 1999 Elementary School Site Plan Advisory Review, #19-97 Project Description: Request for a Site Plan Advisory Review for the proposed 1999 Elementary School located on the southside of Timberwood Drive, west of Corbett Drive, and south of Harmony Road. The site is 9.43 acres in size and located directly west of Preston Junior High. The school would accommodate 550 students in grades kindergarten through sixth and consist of 52,000 s.f. The parcel is zoned RL, Low Density Residential. Recommendation: Approval with condition. Member Gavaldon asked to focus on two areas, the parking and fencing. Planner Shepard gave a brief staff report stating that the staff was recommending that the Board pass along an advisement to the Poudre School District for approval with the following condition: The Poudre School District is advised that a separate, detached, loop drive be provided east of the parking lot to help mitigate the expected amount of parent drop-off and pick-up traffic. Member Gavaldon had concerns with the location of the parking. Michael Spearnak, School District Representative stated that the District agrees with the Planning Staff that the best place to put it would be along the street. Their intent is to keep cars and vehicular penetration to the site to the exterior of the site as much as possible. The are also trying to maximize the amount of play area and green space and not chop it up. Member Gavaldon commented that penetration into the site has been made by the drive loop, and he felt the loop was too narrow, and the parking was very limited. He felt that there was an opportunity to improve the loop.