Manitou Springs council approves Cog Railway plan

Decisions on camping along waterways, appealing the master plan for a popular park and approving the plan for the Cog Railway were on the agendas of two local city councils Tuesday.

In Colorado Springs, the City Council passed its first reading of an amendment to an existing ordinance that would ban camping within 100 feet of a creek, stream or other waterway. The proposal resulted from concern about homeless people camping along Fountain Creek and causing high bacteria levels from human waste and garbage.

The vote was 7-2 and produced heated discussion among the council.

The council also held a public hearing and, by a 6-3 vote, rejected an appeal of the city’s new master plan for North Cheyenne Canon Park. The city’s Parks and Recreation Board approved the plan this spring but neighbors and many regular park visitors said it was too extensive.

Opponents said they won’t take the matter to court but asked the council to make the final decision on future master plans. The council said it will consider changing the city charter to grant them the necessary authority.

The plan will guide management of the park for the next 10 to 15 years. The first park projects, which had been delayed pending the appeal, are now clear to begin.

Meanwhile, the Manitou Springs City Council also heard public comment and took a final vote on The Broadmoor’s plan to restore the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which closed for a thorough evaluation earlier this year.

The council gave preliminary approval to the plan earlier this month and passed the plan by a vote of 6-1 Tuesday.

Councilwoman Becky Elder cast the lone dissenting vote.

“I totally support rebuilding (the Cog),” she said. “But the people of Manitou have been talking to me. They wanted more time and more information. They don’t like the 50-year tax break for The Broadmoor.”

The Broadmoor plans to start demolishing the existing and aging rail infrastructure this fall, and finish building the new system by 2020. The total cost estimate could be as much as $100 million.

As part of the agreement, Manitou Springs will receive $1.5 million from The Broadmoor to offset lost tax revenue because of the train’s closure. The Broadmoor also will help the city provide more parking, ease traffic congestion and build a transportation center and a cog rail museum, possibly on the Hiawatha Gardens property.