Bigger Recycling Containers

Changes to the City's "Pay-as-You-Throw" Trash ordinance are designed to help you recycle more and save money. New, large recycling containers are now available upon request from your trash hauler. By recycling more, you might find that you can downsize to a smaller trash container. You can change the size of your trash can at any time; smaller carts or cans are available from your hauler on an on-going basis and are typically delivered within a short turn-around time. When you subscribe to a smaller trash subscription and throw less away, you pay less too.

Let your hauler know youre ready to upgrade to a large recycling container (64-gallon, or even 96-gallon) to replace the smaller open-topped recycling tubs. Fort Collins trash haulers will have new, large-capacity recycling carts available no later than Jan. 1, 2010, to customers who request them.

New Bill Format

The recent changes in the "Pay-as-You-Throw" ordinance will also change the way your trash bill looks. Starting September 1, your trash bill will clarify the unit rate your hauler charges for garbage. These changes are designed to make it easier to see how variable rates work and to make it clear that the less you throw away, the less you pay. Keep in mind, the City of Fort Collins does not determine rates. Rates are set by your hauler and are influenced by an open, competitive system.

Schedule Changes

Beginning January 1, 2010, your hauler will change over to an every-other-week pick-up service for recyclables. The every-other-week pick-up will reduce costs as well as road and noise impacts of recycling trucks in neighborhoods.

Regular weekly trash-pick up will remain in effect. As before, recyclables will continue to be scheduled for the same day of the week as garbage collection (just on alternate weeks).

Why Make These Changes?

Larger recycling bins and clear information about how much you pay per unit of trash provide you with the tools you need to make practical, economical choices about curbside waste collection. Increasing recycling and downsizing your trash subscription can help you save money. Plus, the schedule changes in recycling pick up will reduce the noise and road impacts of recycling trucks in neighborhoods. Just as importantly, by recycling more, you're keeping materials out of the landfill and helping reduce your carbon footprint.

More Information

• List of what can be recycled
• Recycling Drop-off Center
• Details on the Changes to the Pay-As-You-Throw Ordinance

North College Area

With the help of the City Council-established North College Urban Renewal Authority (URA), North College Avenue is redeveloping. A URA develops public/private partnerships to strengthen and restore communities, provide new housing or business opportunities, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for the public benefit. The North College URA is supporting several projects that will change the area landscape:

North College Marketplace

Located on the northeast corner of Willox Lane and College Ave., the North College Marketplace will be anchored by the largest King Soopers in the city and offer an assortment of smaller retail and service businesses.

Union Place

Union Place is a unique and innovative neighborhood that will have 80 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited units (single and multi-family) and three mixed-use commercial buildings on 10 acres near the southwest corner of Willox Lane and College Avenue.

Rocky Mountain Innovation Initiative (RMII) Facility

By the end of 2010, the Fort Collins technology incubator, RMII, will build a four-story, 31,000 square foot office building on Vine Drive and College Avenue to provide additional subsidized office space for clean energy, bioscience and technology startup businesses.

Public Improvements

As these URA initiatives move forward, the City is investing in public improvements to address the safety, operations and aesthetics of College Avenue between Vine Drive and the Hickory/Conifer intersection. The North College Improvements Project will: enhance curb, gutter and street conditions; add bike lanes and sidewalks; and create a new streetscape to improve visual appeal. Learn more. (link fcgov.com/northcollege)

Mountain Vista Area

North College isnt the only area experiencing change. Much work has gone into updating the Mountain Vista Sub-area Plan. With 1,500 acres of undeveloped land, many project that this area in northeast Fort Collins will accommodate a significant portion of the Citys future growth. As such, we need to define how the community wants this area to look and operate in the future and update guidelines related to land use, streets, parks, open lands and trails.

Public input has been a key component of updating the Mountain Vista plan. Hundreds of voices have been integrated into the final draft product due to dozens of meetings with individual property owners, public open house events, and multiple meetings with advisory boards.

Realignment of Vine Drive

A major component of this update is to assure a safe and effective transportation network and maintain neighborhood quality. As in the original 1999 plan, this draft includes a recommendation to realign Vine Drive between College and Lemay Avenues. Further, this draft extends the realignment of Vine to Timberline Rd. To prevent realigned Vine Drive from becoming a de facto truck route, the updated draft plan recommends multiple measures to deter truck traffic to address concerns of nearby neighborhoods. For example, appropriate speed limits, street design, and weight limits can deter truckers from using Vine Drive.

Next Steps

City Council will receive an update on the Mountain Vista draft plan at the August 11 Work Session. After that, three additional public meetings are scheduled:

• August 19 Transportation Board Recommendation
• August 20 Planning & Zoning Board Recommendation
• September 15 City Council Meeting First Reading

Public comment will be accepted throughout the process; submit comments online and public comment is always welcome at City Council meetings.