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.