PROJ02027

• Contract/PO #: FS0044FX
• Contractor Name: Larimer County, Board of County Commissioners
• Contract Type: Miscellaneous
• Water District: 0
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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structure must be floodproofed or elevated at least 1-1/2 feet above the base flood elevation. The
floodway regulation further limits development in the floodway to those which will not result in
an increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood. The City and County .
floodplain and floodway regulations greatly limit the potential use of land for development
purposes in the Dry Creek floodplain.

Dry Creek Floodplain Development Trends

Dry Creek has experienced heavy development in the past, particularly along the North College
Avenue corridor as described above and in the area of the Airpark. Much of the Dry Creek
floodplain along North College Avenue has already been developed, however, future
development and redevelopment is likely as outlined in the City of Fort Collins, North College
Avenue Corridor Plan. In addition, the residential area east of the North College Avenue business
district has also been heavily developed in the past. Most of the floodplain land was already
developed prior to the City participating in the NFIP.

The North College Avenue Corridor Plan identified several new zoning districts including the
"Highway Commercial Zone" which encompasses properties on North College Avenue from
Vine Drive north to the Larimer and Weld Canal, with an extension along the south side of
Hickory Street. This zone is all within the Dry Creek floodplain. The highway commercial zone
provides for the existing types of auto-oriented highway businesses to continue to operate and
define the character of North College Avenue, however, the plan also encourages new
development and redevelopment of this zone. A wide range of land uses is allowed, including
commercial, retail, services and light industry.

Future storm drainage improvements along Dry Creek are proposed with the purpose of
confining flood flows and reducing the associated floodplain. The overriding issue, however, is
the funding for these improvements.

Figure 3, Illustrative Plan, North College Avenue Corridor Plan, depicts the storm drainage
improvements, including the diversion channel, and projected landuse and zoning patterns in the
North College Avenue Corridor. The removal of the Dry Creek floodplain is considered the
single greatest incentive for future development for the Dry Creek area.

Natural Resource Values

The City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Department has identified various resource areas
throughout the City (Figure 4). The Dry Creek resource area, area 6 on Figure 4, is described as
extending from the northern Urban Growth Area boundary south to the Larimer and Weld Canal.
Most of this area is just north of the City line. Few extensive marshes or wet meadows are
present along the creek and woody riparian areas are not well developed in most areas. Most of
Dry Creek is surrounded by farmlands and pasturelands. Russian olive is invading some sites.
The stream reach from about the Larimer and Weld Canal to the north, however, is identified as

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