Towards a Sustainable Fort Collins: Urban Renewal and IntegratedTransportation

    

By: Group 1: Tommasina Miller, Kate Belford, David Wood, T. Coleson Breen, Jen Perez, Elise Anderson, Clay Beisel, Michael Young, Ben Short

Goal/Mission

To reduce sprawl and increase efficiency in transportation and land use by:• improving environmental quality by

reducing auto emissions with integrated transportation,

• creating high to medium density development, and 

• increasing a sense of "community" and integration of the Fort Collins' civil society.   

Initial Steps - Urban Renewal Improves and revitalizes specific areas of the city by: • Growth Overlay: Review and recommend further

infill efforts• Re-zoning: 

o Re-zone the planned Mountain Vista Expansion for open    space

o Increase density of all areas within urban growth              overlay

o Re-zone specific urban renewal areas for mixed-use commercial/residential purposes with high, medium and low income housing

Actual plans - Urban Renewal Improves and revitalizes specific areas of the city with: • Urban Renewal Areas:

o Drake and Horsetootho Two Lakeso Spring Creek

• Specific Re-development Regulations o Minimum LEED Bronze certification for buildings

(efficient use of all resources: building materials, energy, space, and water)

o Green roofso Proposed car-free zoneso Public arto Open areas with wildlife connectivity corridors

Urban Renewal Areas: Three Regions(Outlined in black)- Drake/Horsetooth- Two Lakes- Spring Creek

http://www.fcgov.com/advanceplanning/pdf/zoning.pdf

Plans - Transportation

Integration of the Poudre School District buses with public transportation.• Increase accessibility to urban renewal development

areas• Improve sense of community through integration of

students and other community members• Improve Transfort operation by augmenting funding

from two sources:o Poudre School Districto Increased ridership

• Re-training of PSD bus drivers in preparation for Transfort employment 

• Fully incorporate PSD bus drivers to prevent job loss 

Logistics: Poudre School District

and TransfortGoal:-To make a single public bussing system that combines school bus routes and Fort Collins Transfort routesPlan:-Initially, only high school participation-Students will be required to carry school IDs on bus-Students will only be allowed to be dropped off at necessary school during school start times-A parent volunteer/retired bus driver will be on busses during times of pick-up in the morning and drop-offs in the afternoon to monitor-If successful with high school and parent approval, integrate all grade levels

Policy• Urban Renewal:

o Growth Overlay: Binding Public Policy o Re-zoning Mountain Vista Expansion: Binding

Public Policyo Urban Renewal Areas: 

Binding Public Policy (re-zoning) Voluntary/Market Driven (tax incentive for

business to relocate in urban renewal areas) • Transportation Integration:

o Initial Phases: Binding Public Policyo Final Stage: Market-Driven

         

Funding• Tax Increment Financing: A

portion of sales and, or, property tax is used strictly for the development of that area

• Possible Utilities additive fee: Small fee increase added to utilities which could then be allocated for development

 •  Federal and State grants and

tax incentives

• Poudre School District reallocation of funds to Transfort

Implications: Government

Increase in transportation and re-zoning will benefit many citizens of Fort Collins. • Minimizes tax increases by working within city's

    current buget.• Increases administrative load as businesses seek

incentives for urban renewal• Helps meet Clean Air Act standards on ozone,

particulates and other pollutants• Increases sales and property tax returns in the long

term• Reduces consumption of social services (i.e. welfare,

police force) through benefits of integrated community

Implications: Public Business

Transfort: Integration of transportation allows for a more comprehensive transportation system. • Aligns with PSD sustainability mission statement to

be responsible with natural resources. An likely property tax increase from limiting sprawl will increase funds for certain sectors. •     Health District: Limiting sprawl gives Fort Collins

public business sector a more fixed population to efficiently provide for.

Poudre Valley REA/Utilities: A more manageable and predictable growth rate paves the way future energy provision plans.   

Implications: Private Business

• Improved transportation offers better employee and consumer access to businesses

• Urban renewal provides business tax incentives • Urban renewal projects would provide many jobs to

local construction companies • These projects would also be able to support local

suppliers• New mixed-use buildings and districts would provide

many opportunities for new local businesses to start• Areas with more character would also create a tourist

attraction bringing more businesses and families to Fort Collins

Implications: Social Concerns

• Increases mobility for elderly, disabled• Enhances sense of community• Creates construction jobs• Developed areas to include community centers,

English language centers, after-school programs (beneficial to at-risk youth, immigrant population)

• Savings on transportation• Certain percentage of buildings to include low cost

housing• Better air quality, better health• Cons: Restrictions on the town's growth may drive

away developers (jobs) in the short term.• Cons: Leaving open spaces also limits town growth.

Implications: Environmental Concerns • Energy: Increased ridership improves the

effectiveness of public transportation. Increased density decreases the transmission loss of electricity in URAs.

• Wildlife: Greater density allows for more open space for wildlife.  Wildlife corridors and established refuges would further protect wildlife.

• Water and Air: A larger population will strain the water supply and most likely pollute the air.  Regulations at all levels can work on better management of air and water quality.

• Pollution/ Waste Management: Again, regulations are key.

•  Land Use and Conservation: Open space is a part of the plan

Environmental Pillar

• Urban Renewal is a responsible use of resources.

• Development concentration is on building up, rather than out, ultimately reigning in urban sprawl and land usage. 

• More open space is left for wildlife and recreational use. 

• Instead of having to extend energy provision further away from city's center, the city's energy and utilities providers can work to create effective ways to provide energy for a smaller area. 

Economic Pillar• Existing areas will see new business as

population/market grows in higher density areas.

• Previously existing businesses will likely see the rise of a larger consumer market. 

• Efficient use of public transportation funding through a more streamlined process.

• Decreased fuel usage saves money for both the city and individual travelers. 

• Energy efficient smart growth buildings save energy costs. 

Social Pillar

• Urban Renewal areas are proven to reduce crime, retain and create jobs, rehabilitate old homes, improve neighborhood streets and infrastructure, plan parks. 

• Transportation plan will improve community integration and accessibility for elderly and those without access to other transportation.

• Mixed income housing offers options in new development areas.

• Accessibility to buildings benefits disabled persons.