Streetscape Design Standards & Guidelines

Background

The Streetscape Design Standards & Guidelines document (SDSG) was developed and adopted by the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County as part of the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards (LUCASS), in 2001. The City Land Use Code, Section 3.2.1 Landscaping and Tree Protection, references LUCASS and provides additional streetscape standards. The purpose of the SDSG is to ensure the streetscape environment, including medians and parkways within the public right-of-way, is attractive and links the public street corridors together through a coordinated city-wide approach to streetscapes. To implement City Plan, the SDSG and Land Use Code streetscape standards reflect a high degree of attention to complete streets. Streetscape standards include trees, parkway strips along the edges, sidewalks, and landscaped medians. The SDSG describes a variety of ways that individual projects can contribute to the overall street system landscape character throughout Fort Collins.

Purpose of 2011 Update to the SDSG

Since the SDSG were first adopted ten years ago, many new streetscape improvements were built. Questions were raised regarding the appropriate design of streetscape corridors and intersections. Maintenance is becoming an increasing issue. City budgets have tightened. In addition, there is renewed interest in sustainable practices for design, maintenance and funding. The 2011 update to the SDSG was initially triggered by a need to provide more detail, clarity, and tailored design guidance for various arterial street corridors. However, given the nature of this task, staff has recognized a more complete update to the document is needed for all streetscape corridors and intersection areas. The SDSG document will be revised based on latest ideas and practices.

update Process

General task areas include: convene staff team, identify issues, research options, develop alternatives for review, inform and seek input, and draft recommendations. Public outreach will include feedback on progress from the public, Planning and Zoning Board, Transportation Board, and City Council. City Council will receive periodic updates throughout process, with a work session tentatively scheduled in October. Based on input received, staff will prepare draft recommendations for review by the end of the year. The final proposed update to the streetscape standards will be presented to City Council for consideration of adoption in early 2012. A follow up task will include having Larimer County adopt the update to Appendix C of the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards.


Contact

Pete Wray, Senior City Planner
970-221-6754