El Paso County commissioners certify updated master plan to guide growth, development for next 20 years

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A two-year process ended Tuesday as El Paso County commissioners unanimously certified an updated master plan designed to guide growth and development through 2040.

As KRDO NewsChannel 13 first reported in March, local experts expect the county to grow by 250,000 people by 2050, even though that projected growth will occur in only 10% of the county -- providing the motivation for change.

The master plan was updated and approved by the county's planning commission on May 26, with oversight by an advisory committee appointed by commissioners.

Around 60 past similar plans created by local governments and entities will be replaced by the updated master plan, giving county officials an easier guide to follow.

"Not everybody likes change," said Craig Dossey, the county's executive director of planning and community development. "But we worked hard on this to manage growth while retaining the character of El Paso County."

The updated plan includes a greater focus on water usage and supply, as well as more involvement by local military installations.

More than 3,000 citizens submitted feedback on the plan, with the most common complaint being a reluctance to change and a preference to continue the status quo.

Commissioner Holly Williams said that the area's red-hot housing market is a possible example of growth already getting out of hand.

"Honestly, the price of homes in the Black Forest area has gone up so high," she said. "I was looking at a home in Cathedral Pines and it was $1.2 million. And so, I'd still like to see the forest have some housing that we can afford."

Commissioner Chairman Stan VanderWerf praised the updated plan.

"I think we do express gratitude for the huge amount of work that went into this," he said. "The document is comprehensive -- and dare I say, maybe even brilliant."