Bent GrassOn Aug. 19, the El Paso County Planning Commission heard two requests from NES Inc. on behalf of R.W. Case II, Lindsey Case and Raymond and Tanya Reilly for plans to develop the commercial area of the Bent Grass subdivision. The first request was for a preliminary plan of about 10.3 acres in the commercial service zone district of the subdivision, west of Meridian Road and north of Owl Place Road.The preliminary plan proposed three commercial lots, a drainage tract, a future development tract and a public right-of-way. The applicant also requested approval of early grading. The planning commission approved the request in a 7-2 vote, with commissioners Jane Dillon and Bob Null opposed.The second request was for the final plat of the same 10.3-acre area. The planning commission unanimously approved the request.Both items will be forwarded to the EPC Board of County Commissioners for consideration. Majestic PinesAlso on Aug. 19, the planning commission heard two requests from Dean and Kristi Couture for plans to develop the first and second filings of the Majestic Pines subdivision. The first request was for the final plat of Filing No. 1, which is zoned residential rural and located east of U.S. Highway 83 and the Cherry Creek Crossing subdivision, and west of the Settlers Ranch subdivision in Black Forest. The proposed area is 66.47 acres, and the plan is to plat 13 single-family residential lots, a future development tract, a non-development tract and public right-of-way.The second request was for the final plat of Filing No. 2, which is zoned residential rural and located east of U.S. Highway 83 and the Cherry Creek Crossing subdivision, south of the Walden III subdivision, north of the Dancing Wolf subdivision and west of the Settlers Ranch subdivision in Black Forest.The proposed area is about 24.04 acres, and the plan is to plat eight single-family lots and public right-of-way. The planning commission unanimously approved both requests. Both items will be forwarded to the BOCC for consideration. Land Development Code amendmentsOn Aug. 12, the BOCC heard a request from the EPC Development Services Department to amend the land development code to address issues identified in the administration of the planned unit development regulations. The proposed amendments included the minimum acreage, architectural standards, administrative relief, signage, the addition of an optional process to combine preliminary plan approval with PUD approval and the use of the PUD zoning and conceptual plan.The BOCC approved the request in a 4-1 vote, with commissioner Sallie Clark opposed. Walden Metropolitan Districts No. 1 and 2On Aug. 26, the BOCC heard a request by Bill and Matthew Dunston for approval of a special district service plan for the Walden Metropolitan districts No. 1 and 2. The proposed districts are located east of U.S.Highway 83, north of Hodgen Road, south of Walker Road on the north side of the Walden Way and Pond View Place intersection in Black Forest. District No. 1 is proposed as the control district and District No. 2 as the financing district. The proposals include the following: a maximum debt authorization of $15 million, a debt mill levy of 20 mills with a maximum of 40 mills, and an operations and maintenance mill levy of 10 mills with a maximum of 10 mills for District No. 2. There are no proposed mill levies for District No. 1. The statutory purposes of the proposed districts include design, construction, financing, maintenance and ownership of water and wastewater lines; street improvements and safety protection; design, construction, financing and maintenance of drainage facilities; design, acquisition, construction and maintenance of recreation facilities; mosquito control; and covenant enforcement. The BOCC approved the request in a 4-0 vote, with commissioner Amy Lathen excused. Falcon Regional ParkOn Aug. 19, the BOCC heard a request to approve a development and park lands agreement between EPC and GTL Development Inc. and Meridian Service Metropolitan District. The agreement includes the conveyance of about 215 acres in the northeast corner of the Meridian Ranch development to EPC to develop Falcon Regional Park. The agreement includes country reimbursement for the regional park fees for the already-approved filings, in the amount of $79,586. If the remaining 2,214 lots are approved, the county would owe $281 per lot. That total would be up to $622,134 for a grand total of $701,720. The cost per acre is $3,264, which is less than the estimated value of $8,000 to $15,000 per acre for that area.The BOCC approved the request in a 4-0 vote, with Clark excused.
