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Home My WebLink About952659.tiffPLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 5-12-95 The Weld County Department of Planning Services recommends that the Comprehensive Plan be approved and recommended to the Weld County Board of County Commissioners. BACKGROUND Well over two years ago the County Commissioners realized the need to update the Weld County Comprehensive Plan. The Commissioners foresaw the impending influence of growth on Weld County. In January of 1994, the Weld County Board of County Commissioners appointed a 13 member board (Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board) to update the existing Comprehensive Plan. This Advisory Board represented members from every facet of the Weld population. Seven public meetings were held throughout Weld County to introduce the concept of revising the Comprehensive Plan. These meeting were conducted in Johnstown, Grover, Ault, Windsor, South Aims Campus, Frederick and Greeley. Attendance at these meetings included staff from several departments, advisory board members, elected officials, and citizens. The most highly attended meeting was held on April 12, 1994, in Frederick. THE PROCESS The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board met at least twice a month to consider updates to the Plan. These meetings were publicized and open to the public. Additionally, agendas and copies of staff materials were distributed to a mailing list of 200 plus people. As the Advisory Board worked its way through the Plan it became apparent that special attention was needed to adequately consider the specific issues presented in the Transportation, I-25 MUD, and Environmental Sections. Three subcommittees (TAC- Transportation Advisory Committee, SWAB- Solid Waste Advisory Committee, and Citizen Meeting Input) were utilized to make recommendations concerning these specific issues to the Advisory Broad. The subcommittees were composed of staff and concerned citizens. The TAC and Citizen Meeting Input information was presented and accepted by the Advisory Board for inclusion into the Plan. To date, the Environmental Section is still undergoing additional enhancements which will not be reflected in this revision of the Plan. Representatives from the Division of Wildlife, Soil Conservation Service, and county personnel were relied upon to assist with the development of new policies and goals. While this effort aimed at merely updating the Plan; several sections have been greatly enhanced. These sections include: Agricultural, Urban Growth Boundaries, Open Space, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Resources, and Transportation. planrec 952659 CHANGES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN May 1995 Current Document Revised Document Agriculture As a way of life No definition for Prime Ag Land Realized importance to the entire the community Established definition of Prime Ag Land SCS definition .. Will use Map Urban Growth Boundaries 3 miles 1/2 mile from sanitary sewer service facility or Intergovernmental Agreement Industrial Minor compatibility Some emphasis Not addressed Compatibility of uses stressed Sensitive toward natural patterns New development should pay its own way Commercial Not addressed Some emphasis Not addressed Infill of existing commercial development Sensitive toward natural patterns New development should pay its own way Residential Some emphasis Some emphasis Affordable housing promoted Sensitive toward natural patterns Planned Unit Development Same objectives 952 S 59 [-25 Mixed Use Development Area and Activities Centers Consistent Goals -- Suggested Changes: The MUD size increased The density factors modified Transportation design standards enhanced Service provisions increased Public Facilities Timely, orderly and efficient arrangement of public facilities Fire Protection Minimum standards 15 minute response time Law Enforcement Same philosophy in both documents Call of Action Maximum standards Same -- Fall back Fire Hydrant Increased protection standards Changed provision of duties Transportation No balanced approach to transportation Road classification based on function Principal Arterial (Interstate) Principal Arterial (other) Minor Arterial County Arterial County Collector County Local No Multi Modal No Scenic Byway No recognition of regional efforts Balanced transportation approach Road classification based on type Arterial Collector Local Bike and trail established Byways Recognized Regional transportation recognized 2 952659 Natural Resources Wildlife Existing Wildlife Map Defines wildlife areas Open Space and Recreational Promotes open space/parks Encourages parks in floodplain Encourages open space preservation New Wildlife Map proposed Importance of wildlife provided Traditional wildlife uses Wildlife habitat destruction discouraged Conflicts minimized Regional coordination Parks for runoff control Open space for buffers Open space preservation Enhance quality of life General Resources All resources combined Commercial and Mineral Deposits Conserve lands with deposits Minimize impacts minimized Oil and Gas Resources Nothing specifically listed Separated deposits and oil and gas Lands with deposits conserved Surrounding and surface areas impact E and P impacts minimized Reduction -current and future surfaces uses Environmental Quality comp lan'explain.doe In progress 952 559 SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES to the WELD COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DEMOGRAPHICS/ECONOMICS This section was revised to reflect the most current population and demographic analysis available. More emphasis was given to the composition and make-up of the population than in the previous Comprehensive Plan. The demographic and economic sections have been combined in the revision process to produce a more cohesive picture of the population and the major factors influencing it. AGRICULTURAL This section has been revised to address the concerns of maintaining prime agricultural lands. A definition for prime agricultural lands was agreed upon and has been incorporated into the revised document. The emphasis changed from agricultural as a way of life to agricultural as a vital component of our economic system, and this philosophy is evident in the suggestion of implementing more stringent development standards for prime agricultural lands. New goals and policies have been presented in the revised document to convey the sentiment that water is a valuable part of the agricultural system in Weld County, and one which needs to be preserved. The Advisory Board evaluated the standards for Recorded Exemptions and suggested any division of land shall be considered based upon the impacts this division has on surrounding parcels. URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY The revised document suggests a new philosophy for the formulation of Urban Growth Boundaries. This philosophy emphasizes that each community shall have the opportunity to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Weld County to establish urban growth areas. In absent of this agreement, the urban growth areas are recommended to change from a 3 mile radius municipal boundary to a 1/2 mile municipal service area (based upon the ability to provide public sanitary services). UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES No changes are proposed for this section INDUSTRIAL Industrial development continues to be recognized as a valuable link in the economic base. Several new policies and goals were designed to encourage development to pay for itself and to be sensitive to the natural environment. Industrial development was encouraged to occur on lands specifically zoned for this use which provide the appropriate infrastructure to satisfy the service demands. The concept of providing for ongoing maintenance and long term quality development has emphasized throughout several policies. COMMERCIAL Commercial development, like industrial development, has been readdressed to encourage the expansion and diversification of the commercial economic base. Additionally, the impact commercial development has on the natural environment was emphasized in goals and policy changes, and is particularly true in relationship to the compatibility of commercial development to surrounding areas. RESIDENTIAL While there were no changes to the goals in this section, several policies were added to carry out the existing goals. Opportunities were developed for affordable housing in Weld County and emphasis was directed toward encouraging environmentally aware housing designs. 952659 PUD No changes arc proposed for this section. 1-25 MIXED USE AREA The Comprehensive Advisory Board referred this section back to the citizens. A series of public meetings is being conducted with the citizens in this arca to ascertain their goals for this area. Two goals were slightly modified by the Advisory Board for clarity. This section saw several changes in response to the citizen meetings. PUBLIC FACILITIES The major changes in this arca were the update of material for sheriff and fire protection. Several Fire Districts and the Weld County Sheriff had the opportunity to include the most current standards to assure adequate public safety. The goals for this section remain consistent with the existing plan, however the policies were revised to address sensitivity toward the influenced zone districts, compatibility of uses, and to provide the maximum efficiency of public services. TRANSPORTATION This section underwent one of the most dynamic changes in the revision document. The road classification system was completely revised to include only arterial, collector and local road classifications. Additionally, more emphasis was given toward alternative transportation, particularly pedestrian and bicycle modes. The Pawnee Buttes Scenic Byway was also considered in the revision document. Road Access was also delineated as a particular area of consideration by Weld County. The existing six transportation goals were replaced with three revised goals which concern transportation as a delivery system. GENERAL RESOURCES This section reclassified resources based upon their legal definition; therefore, oil and gas minerals were broken into a separate category. Despite the reclassification there were no proposed changes to the commercial mineral resource section. The major emphasis occurred in the creation of a new section in the Comprehensive Plan entitled "Oil and Gas Goals and Policies". In this section one goal was added with several policies. The major emphasis was to encourage a responsible extraction of mineral deposits. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY No changes will be seen with this revision of the Comprehensive Plan. Future changes are anticipated under an additional ordinance. NATURAL RESOURCES Wildlife Planning staff and the Advisory Committee worked with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to reformat this section. A new wildlife sensitive areas map will be produced by the Division and will be included in the revision document. The theme for this section emphasizes the necessity of a cohesive relationship between man and the natural environment. Both wildlife and plant life were considered in the formulation of new goals and policies Open Space Parks and Recreation The emphasis for this section remains consistent with the intent of preserving prime agricultural lands. This section was expanded to include new development of open space in Weld County. Attention was devoted toward wetlands, usable recreational areas, the recognition of unique areas, and conservation techniques. Sixteen goals were added to the existing document. 952659 INTRODUCTION TABLE 3. NUMBER OF ACRES IN MUNICIPALITIES IN WELD COUNTY TOWN ACREAGE Ault 395 Brighton 269.87 Broomfield 941 Dacono 999.16 Eaton 611.46 Erie 1,185.88 Evans 1,778 Firestone 803:24 Fort Lupton 2,360.61 Frederick 2,426.78 Garden City 85 Gilcrest 448 Grover 293.53 Greeley 17,966 Hudson 267.57 Johnstown 281.5 Keenesburg 333.99 Kersey 242.89 La Salle 344.35 Lochbuie 381.72 Longmont 160 Mead 435.74 Milliken 2,627.81 New Raymer 356.04 Northglenn 623 Nunn 640 Pierce 390 Platteville 421 Severance 148 Thornton 69.55 Windsor 3223.45 1-10 952659 Extension of services through these vacant areas creates an under utilization of services, which contributes to higher service costs for all Weld County citizens. In addition to the economic considerations associated with urban development patterns, there is also the problem of competition and conflict between urban and rural land use interests. All of the 31 municipalities in Weld County are surrounded by farmland. As urban areas continue to expand, these resource lands arc either directly converted to urban uses or arc adversely influenced due to inherent conflicts between rural and urban activities. 1-15 952659 AGRICULTURE A.Policy 1. Agricultural zoning will be established and maintained to protect and promote the County's agricultural industry. Agricultural zoning is intended to preserve prime agricultural land and to provide areas for agricultural activities and uses dependent upon agriculture without the interference of incompatible residential, commercial, and industrial land uses. Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops, and is also available for these uses (the land could be cropland, pastureland, rangeland, forest land, or other land, but not urban built-up land or water). It has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high yields of crops when treated and managed, including water management, according to acceptable fanning methods. In general, prime farmlands have an adequate and dependable water supply from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and growing season, acceptable acidity or alkalinity, acceptable salt and sodium content, and few or no rocks. They are permeable to water and air. Prime farmlands are not excessively erodible or saturated with water for a long period of time, and they either do not flood frequently or are protected from flooding. (U.S. Department of Agricultural, Soil Conservation Services [Special Series 171. January 1980: additional supplements). Weld County Prime Farmland Definition The availability of water is mandatory for prime farmland. Prime and prime if irrigated lands fall into upper capability classes as defined by the Soil Conservation Service and Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service and should be protected equally if irrigation water is 2-3 available and they are located within reasonable distance of water delivery structures. Weld County Non -Prime Farmland Definition Non -prime farmland is low capability land that is not considered important land for food production. It may be composed of poorer soils prone to erosion or may have topographical limitations for agriculture such as slopes or gullies. A.Policy 1.1 The County should consider various methods of agricultural land preservation techniques. These methods may include but are not limited to Transferable Development Rights and Conservation Easements. A.Goal 2 Allow commercial and industrial uses that are directly related to or dependent upon agriculture to locate within Agricultural zoning when their impact to surrounding properties are minimal, and where adequate services and infrastructure are available. A.Policy 2. Agricultural businesses and industries will be encouraged to locate in areas that minimize the removal of prime agricultural land from production. Agricultural business and industries are defined as those which are related to ranching, livestock production, farming, and agricultural uses. A.Goal 3. Discourage residential, commercial, and industrial development which is not located adjacent to existing incorporated municipalities. A.Policy 3. Conversion of agricultural land to residential, commercial, and industrial development will be discouraged when the 952659 AGRICULTURE A.Goal 10. The minimum lot size of parcels in the Agricultural zone district shall remain at 80 acres to encourage parcels large enough to retain viable farming operations or to accommodate modern agricultural equipment and irrigation practices. Lots of lesser size are not generally practical to farm due to large scale management practices existing today. 2-6 952659 TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION Weld County's transportation system is intended to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods through the County. The State and County road systems should provide a functionally integrated roadway network. Established standards should guide the development of the transportation system throughout the unincorporated areas of the County. The Transportation Plan Map included in the Appendix identifies the roadway, railroad and airport facilities in the County. Pedestrian, bicycle trails and scenic road byways are identified on the Recreational Transportation Facilities Map. The Transportation Plan Map reflects the County's vision for the future. To maintain a reasonable ptaspc.ctive of the County's transportation network, it is essential that updates to the Transportation Plan Map be made. Certainly, the impact of major centers of employment or other significant land development activities could detrimentally influence this Transportation Plan. For this reason, review of significant proposal for changes in land use should be accompanied by a corresponding review of this section of the Comprehensive Plan. Road System The highway and road system in Weld County is managed, in part, by the Colorado State Highway Department, Weld County, and the thirty (30) municipalities within the County. Weld County's road system presently consists of six hundred fifty- two (652) miles of paved roads and two thousand six hundred twenty-two (2,622) miles of gravel roads. In addition, there are currently four hundred eighty-seven (487) miles of State Highway System and several hundred miles of municipal roads. In order to have an efficient transportation system, all jurisdictions should coordinate respective transportation goals and policies. 4-1 Road Classifications The County's road systems includes arterials, collectors, and local roads. It generally serves travel of a countywide nature rather than statewide. The County's road system constitutes routes where predominant travel distances are shorter and speeds are more moderate than those typically disassociated with of the State Highway System. Arterial Roads Arterial roads provide for trip lengths and travel densities for substantial or countywide travel. Some arterial road characteristics are listed in the Appendix. 952659 AGRICULTURE A.Goal 10. The minimum lot size of parcels in the Agricultural zone district shall remain at 80 acres to encourage parcels large enough to retain viable farming operations or to accommodate modern agricultural equipment and irrigation practices. Lots of lesser size are not generally practical to farm due to large scale management practices existing today. 2-6 952659 AGRICULTURE A.Policy 1. Agricultural zoning will be established and maintained to protect and promote the County's agricultural industry. Agricultural zoning is intended to preserve prime agricultural land and to provide areas for agricultural activities and uses dependent upon agriculture without the interference of incompatible residential, commercial, and industrial land uses. Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops, and is also available for these uses (the land could be cropland, pastureland, rangeland, forest land, or other land, but not urban built-up land or water). It has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high yields of crops when treated and managed, including water management, according to acceptable farming methods. In general, prime farmlands have an adequate and dependable water supply from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and growing season, acceptable acidity or alkalinity, acceptable salt and sodium content, and few or no rocks. They are permeable to water and air. Prime farmlands are not excessively erodible or saturated with water for a long period of time, and they either do not flood frequently or are protected from flooding. (U.S. Department of Agricultural, Soil Conservation Services [Special Series 17]. January 1980: additional supplements). Weld County Prime Farmland Definition The availability of water is mandatory for prime farmland. Prime and prime if irrigated lands fall into upper capability classes as defined by the Soil Conservation Service and Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service and should be protected equally if irrigation water is 2-3 available and they are located within reasonable distance of water delivery structures. Weld County Non -Prime Farmland Definition Non -prime farmland is low capability land that is not considered important land for food production. It may be composed of poorer soils prone to erosion or may have topographical limitations for agriculture such as slopes or gullies. A.Policy 1.1 The County should consider various methods of agricultural land preservation techniques. These methods may include but are not limited to Transferable Development Rights and Conservation Easements. A.Goal 2 Allow commercial and industrial uses that are directly related to or dependent upon prime agriculture to locate within Agricultural zoning when their impact to surrounding properties are minimal, and where adequate services and infrastructure are available. A.Policy 2. Agricultural businesses and industries will be encouraged to locate in areas that minimize the removal of prime agricultural land from production. Agricultural business and industries are defined as those which are related to ranching, livestock production, farming, and agricultural uses. A.Goal 3. Discourage residential, commercial, and industrial development which is not located adjacent to existing incorporated municipalities. A.Policy 3. Conversion of agricultural land to residential, commercial, and industrial development will be discouraged when the 952659 General Resources This section was broken into two parts: Commercial/Mineral Resources and Oil and Gas Mineral Resources. The Commercial and Mineral Resources Section did not see any changes. The Oil and Gas Mineral Resources element was emphasized in the revision document to address potential land impacts of development. A general overall goal was proposed with several corresponding policies. summary. sef 952659 The Proposed Plan 1. Goals are presented in bold A. Goal 1 A. Policy 1 A . Policy 1.1 A. Policy 1.2 2. Each topic is divided into its own section and labeled as such: Agricultural goals and policies start with "A" Residential goals and policies start with "R" 3. There are six chapters in the Plan and numbered accordingly: 1-1 Introduction 2-1 Demographic/Economic 3-1 Land Use Categories 4-1 Land Use Amenities 5-1 Environmental Quality 6-1 Natural Resources 4. Most maps are folded in the back cover of the Plan 952659 Urban Growth Boundary CURRENTLY: Defined as: 3 miles from a municipal boundary limit (city limits) PROPOSED: Two ways to define it: 1. The intergovernmental urban growth boundary agreement 2. The standard 1/2 mile boundary from a sanitary sewer line 952659 Mixed Use Development Area 1. Property Boundary changes by: Case petition Citizen opinion 952659 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVISION PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS Original Plan 1973 Plan Revision 1987 (This is the one we are currently using) Plan Amendment 1992 (1-25 Mixed Use Map- minor addition) Plan Revision 1994 Citizen Advisory Committee---- appointed by Weld County Board of County Commissioners Transportation Advisory Group (TRANSPORTATION) - Staff and Commissioners Solid Waste Advisory Board (SOLID WASTE) - Staff and Citizens Division of Wildlife--- Natural Resources (WILDLIFE AND OPEN SPACE) County Attorney's Office--- (OIL AND GAS) Health Department--- (ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY) I-25 Mixed Use Community Meetings Planning Commission recommendation to Board of County Commissioners Ordinance Three Public Readings Adoption of Ordinance by Board of County Commissioners 952659 Hello