By Matt Steiner, The Gazette
El Paso County commissioners voted Tuesday to rezone more than 1,400 acres in the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs, paving the way for a development that will include almost 300 homes and a golf course.
The commissioners approved with a 4-1 vote to change the area west of Black Forest Road and south of Hodgen Road from 5-acre rural residential to a Planned Urban Development that will allow a minimum lot size of 2.5 acres. Commissioner Darryl Glenn cast the only “no” vote, saying a plan to extend Stage Coach Road west of Colorado 83 would “exacerbate” a dangerous situation.
“The issue I have is still the issue I had before,” Glenn said, referring to the first hearing on Nov. 15. “The reality is the current condition on 83 right now is not safe.”
Glenn represents residents in the area. Safety was the main point of contention for many neighbors during several hours of testimony Nov. 15.
John Maynard, spokesman for the developer, Classic Homes, outlined a revised plan Tuesday that included acceleration and deceleration lanes and a new traffic signal at the intersection of Stage Coach and 83. He also showed a new map of the project that would discontinue Stage Coach Road part way through Flying Horse North and add multiple roundabouts to slow traffic.
The developer must acquire permits to move forward with the project. Flying Horse North construction is expected to take 15 years. Classic Homes also built the nearby Flying Horse subdivision.
