Title
An Ordinance amending Budget Ordinance No. 24-104 (2025 Budget Appropriation Ordinance) for a Supplemental Appropriation to the Park Land Dedication Ordinance Fund in the Amount of $794,740 to be used for the purchase of a 5.75 acre property from El Paso County School District 20.
Presenter:
Britt Haley, Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
Lonna Thelen, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Design and Development Manager
Body
Summary:
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Department is seeking approval of a supplemental appropriation for $794,740 from the Park Land Dedication Ordinance (PLDO) neighborhood park fund to be used for the purchase of 5.75 acres of property from El Paso County School District 20 for neighborhood park land. The land is adjacent to Cumbre Vista Park and would expand the existing 5.16 acre park to 10.91 acres.
Background:
The existing Cumbre Visa Park was originally dedicated as part of the Powerwood 3-6 Master Plan as part of the park land dedication requirements through PLDO. (The existing park is owned and maintained by a metro district.) The 5.16 acres south of Cumbre Vista Park is under consideration for acquisition to extend Cumbre Vista Park. As part of the Powerwood 3-6 Master Plan, the developer was also required to dedicate land for the school obligation. This school land dedication was the 5.16 acres south of Cumbre Vista Park. El Paso County School District 20 has determined they no longer need the land for a school and contacted the PRCS Department to inquire if the PRCS Department was interested in expanding the existing Cumbre Vista Park.
The surrounding master plans to Powerwood 3-6 Master Plan include Powerwood 2 Master Plan to the west and Ridge at Woodmen Master Plan to the south. Neither Powerwood 2 Master Plan nor Ridge at Woodmen Master Plan have additional parks dedicated, leaving Cumbre Vista Park to serve this entire area. When Powerwood 2 Master Plan and Ridge at Woodmen Master Plan were developing, the master planned areas included a large amount of commercial and less residential causing the PLDO requirement to be limited. Over time, both master plans have been incrementally amended to primarily residential with a large majority of the residential being multi-family residential. Because the changes were smaller and occurred over time, the ability to evaluate the site as a whole for PLDO in the master plan was not available; therefore, fees in lieu of land were received.
Using the current PLDO standards for neighborhood park lands, the three master plans, Powerwood 3-6 Master Plan, Powerwood 2 Master Plan and Ridge at Woodmen Master Plan, would have a rough neighborhood park land dedication of 12-13.5 acres. (A portion of this area is still not built out; therefore, staff is unable to conclude an exact park land dedication acreage.) With the additional land acquisition, there will be 10.91 acres of park land to serve this area. In addition, the land is centrally located and serves all residents within a half mile walk without crossing any major roadways.
Pursuant to PLDO and City Real Estate acquisition procedures, an appraisal was completed October 2, 2024, and offered the seller fair-market value for the property of $791,740. The appraisal confirmed the purchase price met acquisition procedures. A contract has been signed by El Paso County School District 20 and the City of Colorado Springs. The contract is contingent upon final approval by City Council and acceptance of the property based on the city’s due diligence work. The acquisition would be funded with revenues from PLDO.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
Acquisition of the 5.75-acre property will require funding of $794,740 (purchase price plus real estate transaction costs) from the PLDO Neighborhood Park Service area fund. The Service area fund for this neighborhood park has $955,008 available.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
At the April 10, 2025, meeting the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend the supplemental appropriation for the Park Land Dedication Ordinance neighborhood park fees to City Council.
Stakeholder Process:
Public meetings of the Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board offer the opportunity for public comment. The Regular Session meetings of City Council also offer this opportunity.
Alternatives:
Disapprove the supplemental appropriation, requesting additional information about the supplemental appropriation, or suggesting an alternative approach to the transaction.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
A Motion to approve a supplemental appropriation from the Park Land Dedication Ordinance (PLDO) neighborhood park fund balance in the amount of $794,740 for the purchase of the Cumbre Vista Park extension.
Summary of Ordinance Language
An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 24-104 (2025 Budget Appropriation Ordinance) for a Supplemental Appropriation to the Park Land Dedication Ordinance in the Amount of $794,740 for the purchase of the Cumbre Vista Park extension.