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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGABLES AT SILVERPLUME - Filed GC-GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE - 2004-08-04ZVFK architects/planners a professional corporation 218 west mountain avenue fort colhns, co 80521 usa telephone 303 493-4105 SILVERPLUME AMENDED P.U.D. PLANNING OBJECTIVES The attached documents were submitted with the original Silverplume P.U.D. in May, 1979, at a time when the City had not yet adopted a Land Use Policy Plan or Development Guidance System. The site was planned, and has since been developed in a highly responsible manner, and is in compliance with City Land Use Policies. The amended plan seeks to further diversify the housing types provided, while maintaining the quality level of the existing development. 11 ZVFK architects/planners a professional corporation 218 west mountain avenue fort collins, co. 80521 usa telephone 303 493-4105 SILVERPLUPIE P.U.D. PLANNING OBJECTIVES The basic planning objective of the proposed development is to establish a strong neighborhood identity and character. The developer's intent for land planning is purposely formal and inward focusing. Attention to detail will be important including landscaping, street paving materials, street lighting, signage, sidewalks and entrance gates. This is necessary to create the desired community environment. The architectural character will complement the land planning in achieving a unity of design and architectural style. Two mini -parks have been planned which also reinforce the formality recalling street layout and geometry of an earlier era. These parks are intended to provide important visual as well as functional neighborhood focal points. Recreation amenities will be clustered in these parks. ' REASONS FOR REZONING As a result of Conceptual Review with the City Professional Staff, the request for rezoning is made in order to overcome obstacles presented by the existing zoning. The basis for the rezoning is that the existing zoning is inappropriate and in need of change. The nature of the request is decidedly less intense than the development potential possible under the existing zoning. The BP district has been reduced to almost one-third of its present size. Given the nature of the present zoning, the intended layout which integrates a variety of residential housing types would not be possible since density shifting is not permitted between zones, even though the project is a planned unit development and the overall density is well below the allowable density of the combined two existing zones. The requested rezoning provides the solution to this particular problem. ZVFK architects/planners a professional corporation 218 west mountain avenue fort collets, co. 80521 use telephone 303 493-4105 May 21, 1979 City of Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 Dear Board Members: This is written as an elaboration to the Silverplume "Planning Objective" and "Reasons for Rezoning" submitted earlier to the Planning Department. The 32 acres in question could be developed under the existing zoning with over 450 residential units, or an 80,000 square foot shopping center with approximately 200 dwelling units. It is the applicant's feeling that the request before you is in many ways superior to either of the above alternatives. It is im;,urtant that the Silverplume Project be considered as an entity rather than a change of zoning designations and lines on a map followed by a Site Plan. Silverplume is a neighborhood planned according to the Goals and Objectives adopted nearly two years ago by the City of Fort Collins. Silverplume as submitted attempts to enact all the applicable Goals and Objectives. Some important examples are: NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTIFICATIOV Encourage the preservation and development of unique qualities and characteristics of all neighborhoods. 1. Encourage those design characteristics which lend clarity and identity to neighborhoods in all City neighborhoods. 2. Develop and preserve parks, centers, open and green spaces, and other focal points which are important to neighborhoods. City of Fort Collin. Planning and Zoning Board May 21, 1979 Page 2 3. Protect against the intrusion of incompatible commercial and business activities which have a significant negative impact upon predominantly residential areas. 4. Restrict extraneous motorized traffic from residential areas. 5. Determine density levels throughout the City which can most effeciently utilize City services and not overburden existing services. COMMUNITY DESIGN Develop the total environment in such a way as to provide harmony with nature, beauty in the man-made features, and imaginative use of language and symbols. 1. Incorporate the resource of landscape architecture into design aspects of City planning. 2. Educate people to the importance of aesthetic considerations in community development, making them aware that such factors do have consequences in shaping behaviors. 3. Strive to unify the architectural and landscape design of public buildings and spaces, and to create models which will be inspirational to the entire community. 4. Encourage the use of materials, design, and nomenclature which have local meaning and which harmor•ize with our environment. S. Enhance public street and parking area apprc__.ance with particular attention to most viewed, used streets and entrance highways (trees, planting, and the like). Insure that developers consider aesthietics in the designing and planning of their oorjects. 1. Encourage developers to utilize natural contours, topo- graphical features, and existing trees where possible in accordance with the proposed use of the site. J City of Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Board May 21, 1979 Page 3 2. Establish incentives for the developer who provides visual amenties and consider these as positive factors in evaluation of development proposals. 3. Protect the view of the foothills by requiring developers to consider the view impacts of their projects on existing development. MODES OF TRAVEL Provide alternative transportation modes. Develop transportation systems which capitalize upon and enhance the unique character of all neighborhoods. 1. Encourage the improvement of bike and pedestrian access throughout the community with emphasis upon sidewalks and bike -pedestrian paths and lanes. 2. Provide safe direct pedestrian and bike access from residential to shopping areas, schools, and other major destinations where feasible. SAFETY '_ncrease safety with the City transportation system. 1. Divert "through" traffice away from local traffic. 2. Provide adequate sidewalks throughout the City and where appropriate, set them back fron the street. 3. Minimize conflicts between pedestrian and vehicular move- ments in parking lots. Maintain and develop a street system which best serves trans- portation and safety needs. 1. Provide a clean, well -repaired, adequately controlled and lighted street system. 2. Maintain low traffic volumes on local streets passing through residential areas. City of Fort Colli. Planning and Zoning Board May 21, 1979 Page 4 3. Limit curb cuts on streets intended to carry high volumes of traffic. HOUSING COST AND CONSTRUCTION Promote reduction in the cost of housing for all local residents. 1. Encourage new residential construction within and adjacent to areas where adequate facilities and services exist. 2. Encourage attractive multi -family residences and clustering of single-family units. NEIGHBORHOODS Promote the continued availabliity of housing to all persons ir the community, regardless of income, which is safe, accessible to shopping, schools, employment, and social services, and reflective of a broad range of needs for size and type of house. 1. Encourage the diversity of housing types which allows a mixture of income levels in all neighborhoods. l HEALTH AND SAFETY Protect the health and safety of the residents in all residential neighborhoods. 1. Encourage site planning and construction of multi -family residences which would provide more privacy. LAND USE CONPATIGILIFY Encouage the development of a future land use plan which promotes maximum compatibility between land uses. 1. Protect the character of new and existing residential neighborhoods against intrusive and disruptive surrounding development. 2. Encourage neighborhood commercial facilities which blend with the residential character of the area. City of Fort Colli Planning and Zoning Board May 21, 1979 Page 5 Promote better integration of land development and trans- protation facilities. 1. Reduce street widths in new residential developments where appropriate. 2. Recognize and define transportation impacts, both positive and negative in land use decisions. Under the existing zoning, these ideals cannot be adequately obtained. Because density shifting is not permitted between zones, land uses and densities would have to be more strictly segregated, and the result would be typical of site plans done before adoption of the Goals and Objectives. The rezoning should be considered a technical solution to a technical problem. Implementation of the elements of a comprehensive plan is, according to the City Attorney, the most acceptable reason for granting a rezoning. Nore importantly, it is time the Goals and Objectives are used as a primary planning tool. For these reasons, the applicant requests approval of the Silverplume Rezoning and Preliminary Plan. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Eldon Ward EA/jj E