Group of Colorado Springs residents fear new development would hinder wildfire evacuation plans

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A group of Colorado Springs residents reached out to the City Council regarding wildfire evacuation plans, concerned a new development would increase the danger of not getting out in time.

Residents living in the North Fork area are concerned about the lack of an evacuation plan and lack of road access people would have if a fire spreads. They say a new subdivision would make evacuating even harder.

The City Council approved a subdivision in the area a year ago, but neighboring residents successfully convinced the city planning commission to stop it. But now, the developer of the project has the opportunity to appeal that decision.

If approved, the subdivision would create nearly 250 new homes in the area. Greg Edwards, a resident of North Fork, says building a new development with the current road plan would be too risky.

"We have high winds, we've had four consecutive days of 25 miles per hour winds and higher," said Edwards. "It's no coincidence that the road adjacent to our development would have been evacuated during the Black Forest fire."

Edwards says he isn't completely opposed to the subdivision being built, but he says there has to be an exit point other than just Old Ranch Road.

"Just like with a building, there's one way in and one way out. Right now we have only one way out for 700 homes and townhomes, and two schools," said Edwards.

In June 2020, City Council explored the possibility of the Colorado Department of Transportation adding a remote access point for emergency vehicles. Edwards says he wants a public road an evacuation plan for the subdivision to be approved.

Edwards, along with other concerned residents, say they plan on currently objecting any appeal from developers.

City Council is set to hear this issue on July 13.