Title
Approval of the Elevate Downtown Neighborhood Plan, an update to the 2016 Experience Downtown Land Use Master Plan.
(Legislative)
Located in Council District 3
Presenter:
Ryan Tefertiller, Urban Planning Manager, City Planning Department
Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
Body
Summary:
The Elevate Downtown Plan is an update to the 2016 Experience Downtown Plan and covers roughly one square mile of land in the heart of Downtown Colorado Springs. The Plan is made up of two volumes. Volume 1 is the State required Plan of Development for the Downtown Development Authority. Volume 2 is the traditional neighborhood plan that provides guidance to City Staff, property owners, downtown advocates, residents, and all community members that have interest in the condition of Downtown Colorado Springs.
The Plan provides guidance on a wide range of issues including: land use; economic vitality; parks, trails, and waterways; mobility; the public realm and urban design; community and culture; and infrastructure and utilities.
Background:
Please see the attached City Planning Commission Staff Report for a complete analysis of the proposed application(s).
Review Criteria:
Neither Neighborhood Plans nor Plans of Development required for a DDA have formal review criteria within the UDC. However, the proposed plan was evaluated for conformance with the general “purpose” of the UDC found in section 7.1.103 which includes to:
A. Promote health, safety, and general welfare of the public;
B. Protect private property from adjacent nuisances such as incompatible uses and noise;
C. Implement the Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan;
D. Establish the orderly subdivision of land;
E. Ensure the logical growth of the City's physical elements;
F. Encourage adequate multi-modal transportation facilities;
G. Promote opportunities for affordable and attainable housing throughout the City; and
H. Facilitate adequate provision of utilities, schools, parks, and other public infrastructure services.
I. Enhance the quality, diversity, and safety of neighborhoods by encouraging pride and investment.
The Plan was also evaluated using the UDC’s Legislative Declaration found in Section 7.5.706.A which reads: “The City Council hereby finds, determines and declares that it is in the public interest that there be a Comprehensive Plan to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, to improve the physical environment of the City as a setting for human activities; to evaluate the social and economic effects of land development; to formulate, determine, and implement community values, policies, standards and objectives; to consider the effect on community financial capabilities, public, and private investments; and to consider the effect on the environment when making land development decisions.”
Lastly, the Plan was evaluated for consistency with relevant guiding plans and PlanCOS itself.
Staff finds that the proposed application meets the relevant review criteria.
Previous Council Action:
City Council has previously adopted numerous versions of a neighborhood plan and plan of development for Downtown Colorado Springs. This includes:
• 1992 - Downtown Action Plan
• 2007 - Creation of the Downtown Development Authority
• 2009 - Imagine Downtown Plan
• 2016 - Experience Downtown Plan
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
The Downtown Review Board voted 8-0 (Board member Hensler absent) to approve the Elevate Downtown Plan at the March 3, 2026 meeting.
City Planning Commission voted 6-1 (Commissioner Gigiano opposed and Commissioner Cecil absent) to approve the Elevate Downtown Plan at the April 8, 2026 meeting.
Recommended Action
Optional Motions:
The Elevate Downtown Neighborhood Plan, an update to the 2016 Experience Downtown Land Use Master Plan.
Motion to Approve
Approve the Elevate Downtown Neighborhood Plan.
Motion to Deny
Deny the Elevate Downtown Neighborhood Plan.