Colorado Springs, El Paso County reach agreement on future annexations by city

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- An important vote this week by the Colorado Springs City Council could ultimately help to provide more much-needed housing for the growing area.

At its regular meeting Tuesday, the council approved an agreement with El Paso County commissioners that will guide future annexations of unincorporated county areas into the city limits.

The agreement is necessary because of two major annexations currently proposed by developers of subdivisions, and more annexations expected in the future because of limited land availability and higher building costs in the city.

Traditionally, a developer will first acquire land, then design and propose a residential or commercial project, before requesting annexation into the city to have access to water and other city services.

The uncertain availability of water in unincorporated county areas just beyond the city limits is another factor in the effort toward the annexation agreement.

"I think this agreement is long overdue because it greatly improves communication among the city, county and developer," said commissioner chairman Stan VanderWerf. "I think this might be a very interesting document, possibly for other communities to emulate. So we're going to run with it for a while, look at how it runs and operates. There may be some adjustments we'll have to work on a little bit. But in the end, I think it's going to be a model for other communities."

City councilman Tom Strand said that the agreement will motivate local leaders to view the metro area as an overall community, instead of just as the city or county.

"Annexation will become more of a partnership," he said. "Everyone will have an equal say in what will change with roads, utilities and stormwater. The city isn't forcing annexation on anyone."

The two developers mentioned above propose building up to 26,000 homes on what is now outside the eastern city limits -- 3,000 in the Banning Lewis Ranch North project, and the rest at Flying Horse East near Schriever Air Force base.

The council recently approved the BLRN annexation but has yet to consider the FHE annexation.