Proposed 450-house development in Black Forest draws step closer to final approval Thursday
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A month after rejecting a plan by Classic Communities to build 450 homes on the south side of Black Forest, the county's planning commission reconsidered and approved the project Thursday.
By an 8-1 vote, the commission recommended the proposal to county commissioners for a final public hearing and vote in two weeks.
Thursday's action came two weeks after Classic asked county commissioners for more time to re-submit the proposal with changes to reflect concerns expressed by neighbors of the chosen site near the intersection of Vollmer and Poco roads.
Loren Moreland, Classic's vice president, said it's the best compromise the developer can provide.
"In fairness to landowner rights and what the county's master plan addresses what's appropriate for us to do, yes," he explained. "I feel like what we gained approval on today is completely appropriate."
Classic said that the changes are in response to opponents who believe the project's density would be too high and out of place with surrounding neighborhoods that have homes on larger lots of 2.5 acres or more.
The compromise, Classic said, involves creating larger home lots along the borders of the site that will serve as a buffer zone between the more dense interior of the new development, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Some neighbors said that the changes don't go far enough, and plan to continue their opposition when the matter goes before county commissioners for a final decision on April 18.
"They're going to remove a bluff that would have been a good buffer," said neighbor Gary Beierle. "That natural feature, which I felt should be a defining line between rural density and urban density, is going to be wiped out. I don't understand because Classic provided the proper buffer to another project near here. It's a problem, and they're going to make us live with it."
Another neighbor, Lori Yoder, moved to the area two years ago.
"When we found out that this was on the market and what they were planning to do, we were disgusted, really," she said. "We really were. That's the only word for it. It'll probably be approved by county commissioners later this month, but I'm still going to be at that meeting to oppose it."
The site covers 142 acres known as the Jaynes property; the project includes commercial development, open space and land set aside for a future extension of Briargate Parkway between Black Forest and Vollmer roads.
Many of the area's existing homes north of the proposed site have posted yard signs in opposition.
The property's owner, who declined to speak on camera, explained why he's selling the land.
"I'm already having problems with people trespassing on my property to go hiking or motorbike riding," he explained. "(Classic) said that I could keep my house and five acres, but I can't deal with all of the growth around me. It's time to go."
Many neighbors also worry that the project will force out a native herd of antelope from their habitat.
Brian Risley, a planning commissioner, said that he's well aware of the fast growth and development in Black Forest.
"We know that we can't make everyone happy," he said. "But we're doing our best to try and manage it. We want to preserve the character and the sort of lifestyle that existing residents are accustomed to."
