Land Use CommitteeThe Land Use Committee meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 AM.*
Chair: Bryan Kniep, Challenger Homes, Inc. Co-Chair: Mark Tremmel, Collaborative Design Staff Liaison: Bethany Schoemer Be part of the discussions and the successes! Contact Bethany Schoemer at 719-592-1800 x 128 or bethany@cshba.com for information on joining a Committee. |
Quick Links
|
Current Issues/Recent Successes:
*Meetings begin at 7:30 AM with a buffet-style light breakfast at 7:15 AM. If you are interested in sponsoring a breakfast, contact Bethany Schoemer at 719-592-1800 x 128 or bethany@cshba.com.
- El Paso County Planning Files- El Paso County has recently made active development projects and archived planning files back to 1942 available for public viewing online. Users can search the website for files such as major development plans, final plats, and many other types. This new option will not only save County employees time, but allows our industry and the public to do their own research from anywhere and saves them time as well. View active and archived development project files.
- City of Colorado Springs Geological Hazard Ordinance - The HBA and several members were at the table for discussions during the review process for this ordinance and helped to educate Council on what is already being done. There are few homes impacted by the changes in the landslide ordinance, and an existing very robust process has been in place since 1996, there is little to no new impact to the construction industry as a whole. Basically, there are a couple of extra steps that have been added to the process for those properties that require a site specific Geohazard study. The two main changes in the ordinance are: 1) After initial comments and revisions, if needed, the City can provide the final geologic hazard study and related development /construction documents to Colorado Geological Survey (CGS), or an independent professional geologist, or a geotechnical engineer, for a final review with comments due back within 14 days. Keep in mind, the final geologic hazard report typically includes a compilation and presentation of the previously submitted draft study, and correspondence and resolution of items identified in the geologic hazards evaluation process. 2) An Improvement Location Certificate (ILC) will be required before the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for construction on lots where a geologic hazard study has been completed or a hazard has been identified. The City will review the ILC to ensure that the structure built is where it should be. Contact Marla Novak at 719-592-1800 x 114 or Marla@cshba.com for more information.
- City of Colorado Springs Land Use Fees- City Council has approved new land use fees that will be effective February 1st and will be similar to the fees in 2012. The City worked with the Public Policy Council to collect a 70% cost recovery for nearly all land use fees and some fees will be condensed. The fees will be reviewed bi-annually, causing another review in 2018/2019. The engineering fees will be reviewed next, although all city fees will be reviewed.
*Meetings begin at 7:30 AM with a buffet-style light breakfast at 7:15 AM. If you are interested in sponsoring a breakfast, contact Bethany Schoemer at 719-592-1800 x 128 or bethany@cshba.com.
RELATED NEWS
Cost Estimates for Public Street Improvement Financial Assurances
Since at least 2010, with the adoption of the Engineering Criteria Manual, the City of Colorado Springs Engineering Review Division (EDR) has assumed the responsibility of calculating the cost estimates for street improvements for roadways that are not arterial. With the recent changes in organizational structure it is no longer prudent for EDR to perform this task. As such, this responsibility is being assigned to the engineer in responsible charge of preparing the construction drawings.This change is immediate and will affect all construction drawings in process of review and approval. A cost estimate will need to be included on the Public Street Improvement Plan set. Please use the unit costs for 2017 (page 2) to calculate the estimate.
Since at least 2010, with the adoption of the Engineering Criteria Manual, the City of Colorado Springs Engineering Review Division (EDR) has assumed the responsibility of calculating the cost estimates for street improvements for roadways that are not arterial. With the recent changes in organizational structure it is no longer prudent for EDR to perform this task. As such, this responsibility is being assigned to the engineer in responsible charge of preparing the construction drawings.This change is immediate and will affect all construction drawings in process of review and approval. A cost estimate will need to be included on the Public Street Improvement Plan set. Please use the unit costs for 2017 (page 2) to calculate the estimate.
The Gazette's Viewpoint: Land-use rules should protect property rights
According to a recent piece from The Gazette's Editorial Board: "The right to make reasonable use of private property comes under constant attack, despite state and federal constitutional protections. Too frequently in our community, and throughout the country, opponents of progress and growth oppose reasonable developments. Sometimes property owners lose these battles, or give in after being worn down by expensive, drawn-out appeals. They are effectively deprived the right to use their properties as the law would otherwise permit." Read the full editorial.
According to a recent piece from The Gazette's Editorial Board: "The right to make reasonable use of private property comes under constant attack, despite state and federal constitutional protections. Too frequently in our community, and throughout the country, opponents of progress and growth oppose reasonable developments. Sometimes property owners lose these battles, or give in after being worn down by expensive, drawn-out appeals. They are effectively deprived the right to use their properties as the law would otherwise permit." Read the full editorial.
