The county has a three-step approval process for new developments like the Grandview Reserve, which is a 767-acre development with plans for 3,000-plus homes. It is located west of Eastonville Road, east of U.S. Highway 24, south of Latigo Boulevard and north of Stapleton Road.At this point in the process, there are still unanswered questions related to provisions for increased traffic in the area and the availability of water. However, Natalie Sosa, assistant public information officer for El Paso County, said traffic and water issues, along with other details of the subdivision, will be addressed in later submissions to the El Paso County Planning Commission and the BOCC.The subdivision approval process is usually a three-step plan, Sosa said. The first step for larger and more complex subdivisions is the sketch plan, which reviews ó at a conceptual level ó the feasibility and design characteristics of the proposed development. Developers of smaller subdivisions do not have to submit a sketch plan. The review of the sketch plan includes, among other things, the schematic design, the ability to obtain water and sanitation, a source of required services and vehicular and pedestrian circulation. During the sketch plan approval process, there are hearings before the planning commission and the BOCC. The sketch plan for Grandview Reserve was approved by the BOCC on Sept. 22, 2020.After the sketch plan is approved, the developers will submit a preliminary plan. The preliminary plan will evaluate the design characteristics, the engineering design, the availability of required services, vehicular and traffic circulation and the relationship to surrounding land uses.The preliminary plan must show that the proposed development is in conformance with the countyís master plan and the approved sketch plan. There must be a sufficient water supply, a public sewage disposal system and adequate drainage improvements. Again, hearings are held before the planning department and the BOCC before approval.The preliminary plan approval or conditional approval is required in order to proceed to the final plat, which is the next step in the approval process.Sosa said that 4 Site Investments, the developer and owner of Grandview Reserve, has submitted a preliminary plan, which the planing commission is now reviewing for compliance with all requirements.The final plat approval process reviews such things as the final engineering plans, the financial plans and any compliance issues that might have come up with earlier submissions. This process determines if all requirements have been met. Also, during this time, there may be public hearings before the planning commission and the BOCC.On Sept. 28, the BOCC authorized the creation of four metropolitan districts to govern the Grandview Reserve subdivision. These metro districts will have the authority to incur up to $295 million in debt and set the mil levy for residential property within the districts at a maximum of 65 mils for residential property and 45 mils for commercial property.Supporting documents submitted to the BOCC state that wastewater treatment would be provided by Cherokee Metropolitan District. Amy Lathen, general manager of Cherokee, said the draft agreement with the subdivision is initially for 500,000 gallons per day ó another 500,000 gallons is on the table. Lathen also said that future additional capacity is possible but would require some capital upgrades.Supporting documents also state that water would be provided by local on site and off site wells, but the sufficiency of the water supply was not determined.
