Proposal to build 420-unit apartment complex in west Colorado Springs approved by planning commission
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- UPDATE
The planning commission, by a 4-3 vote Thursday, approved the project to build a 420-unit apartment complex at the intersection of 30th Street and Garden of the Gods Road.
Commissioners discussed the matter for six hours and listened to public comment for two hours -- most of which opposed the project -- before voting just after 3 p.m.
Bill Wysong, of the Mountain Shadows Neighborhood Association, was disappointed by the vote.
"We had a good idea which way some of the commissioners were going to go," he said. "There were a couple of swings, and we're just disappointed they didn't see our particular viewpoint."
The matter now goes to the City Council for final approval later this spring.
One commissioner recused himself from voting because he works for The Navigators, an international ministry that has expressed concerns about the project.
(EARLIER THURSDAY) For the second time in two months, the city's planning commission is deciding on a controversial apartment project proposed between the north end of Garden of the Gods and the south end of the Mountain Shadows neighborhood.
A developer wants to rezone the master plan for existing property at 2424 Garden of the Gods Road, and build a 420-unit complex near the intersection of 30th Street.
"We are not proposing any buildings that are higher than the existing structure on the property," said Andrea Barlow, a member of the design and development team. "Neighbors who claim they have a right to an unobstructed view and that it belongs to them, that's not correct. That's not on the code, the code doesn't protect those things"
Thursday's planning commission meeting got off to a rough start when so many people tried to submit online comments or follow the meeting remotely that it apparently crashed the system for a short time.
When commissioners asked citizens to send email comments during the meeting's public comment segment starting at 12:30 p.m., more than 170 messages were sent and dozens of people called in to comment.
Commissioners said that all comments submitted will be included in the official record.
Earlier, commissioners heard presentations from the developer, and from the head of the opposing Mountain Shadows neighborhood association.
The common reasons for opposition are that the apartment buildings would obstruct the scenic view of the nearby mountains, increase traffic congestion and safety concerns, and lengthen the time for neighbors to evacuate in a wildfire -- as they did during the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire that killed two people and destroyed 346 homes.
Another concern is the project would disturb two Bighorn sheep habitat areas to the west and south.
Commissioners first considered the matter in January but delayed a vote to give the developer time to make changes in the plan that could be more acceptable to opponents.
The developer said it wants the project to help meet the demand for housing in the city's red-hot housing market.
"We are providing some diversity of housing, which is a key indication of the success of the city in the future," said Commissioner Jim Raughton. "And with that, I'm going to offer a motion (to approve the zoning change)."
Commissioner Scott Hente wasn't as positive.
"I did not hear anything today that alleviated any of the concerns that I expressed two months ago," he said. "So I voted no two months ago, and I will be staying with that no vote today."
Because the project requires a zoning change, the City Council would have to grant final approval if commissioners approve it. If commissioners vote against the project, the developer has the option of appealing to the council.
