I just finished the design for Robins rain bike, dubbed the rain speeder.  The metrics are fast, light, and nimble.  All the materials have been ordered and for once everything is in stock!  We went with a true touring fork with a 376 mm axle to crown to allow 28 mm tires with fenders.

This second design shows the frame with a 395 mm axle to crown fork.  You can see how it bunches up the front triangle and reduces the head tube length.  Although these "cross" length forks are more plentiful, we opted for the touring length.