Title
A Resolution of the City of Colorado Springs approving a Service Plan for the Percheron Park and Recreation District located in the north portion of Banning Lewis Ranch on the north and south sides of Woodmen Road.
Presenter:
Kyle Fenner, Senior Planner, Planning and Neighborhood Services
Kevin Walker, Interim Planning and Neighborhood Services Director
Body
Summary:
This Service Plan creates the Percheron Park and Recreation District for the purpose of financing and providing operations and maintenance (O&M) for park and recreation facilities in the Percheron development in the northernmost portion of Banning-Lewis Ranch. Park and Recreation Districts are allowed and described in CRS 32-1-307 and CRS 32-1-1005. The Percheron Park and Recreation District will be in Council District 6.
Background:
The land that is the Percheron development was annexed into the City on January 26, 2021, by Ordinance 21-13; The land was rezoned to Planned Development Zone (PDZ) on the same day via Ordinance 21-14. The North Meadows Metropolitan Districts Nos. 1-5 were approved in March of 2021.
This Service Plan is a single service plan for a single district and utilizes the Special District Policy and Model Service Plan which among other provisions, allows mill levies to support a financial plan to issue future debt without needing to come back to City Council for subsequent approval.
The Service Plans for North Meadow Metropolitan Districts 1-5 already provide for park and recreation facilities and services; statute allows for overlapping districts to offer the similar services so long as they aren’t truly duplicative.
The District will serve an area of 681 acres. The District’s proposed mill levy will be a combined 10 mills - 5 mills for debt service and 5 mills for operations and maintenance. The Percheron Park and Recreation District service plan intends a total maximum of $40 million in debt pre-authorization. The estimated public improvements costs are estimated at $39,40,000. These estimates are supported by detailed calculations for a variety of public improvements included in Exhibit D.
There are two specific requests of the applicant to deviate from the Special District Policy of the City of Colorado Springs, which is allowed by the Special District Policy, with specific Council approval:
1. The Council may allow an overlay park district as described in section G.1.4 of the City Special District Policy, and
2. The Council may allow the additional mill levies above the maximum debt service and O&M mills above the maximum allowed by the current policy as described by section I.3.3 of the City Special District Policy.
The creation of this Special District is a precursor to forming a possible park and recreation authority formed under Title 29, Article 1, created by agreement between the City and the District. The possible authority has been the subject of preliminary meetings between the City and applicant that will continue as this Service Plan application moves forward. The formation of an authority will be the subject of future approval by Council. Should the park and recreation authority ultimately not come to fruition, the District may operate as a stand-alone entity or dissolve.
In their submittal letter the petitioner has addressed the four criteria in Colorado Revised Statutes for which City Council is required to make an affirmative finding.
Financial Implications:
There are no direct implications to general City taxpayers and ratepayers outside of the boundaries of these applicable metropolitan districts.
Board/Commission Recommendations:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
The staff-level Special District Committee has been provided with the materials associated with this request. No comments or concerns have been received as of the writing of this cover memo.
Previous Council Action:
The proposed service area was annexed as Banning Lewis Ranch North on January 26, 2021, Ordinance 12-13 and was rezoned to PDZ, application number CPC PUZ 19-00124, Ordinance 21-14.
Alternatives:
City Council ultimately has the options of approving or denying this service plan. Council could also continue the item with specific direction provided to staff and the petitioners.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motions:
Adopt a Resolution of the City of Colorado Springs approving a Service Plan for the Percheron Park and Recreation District consisting of 681 acres located north and south of Woodmen Road at Banning Lewis Parkway.
Deny a Resolution of the City of Colorado Springs approving a Service Plan for the Percheron Park and Recreation District consisting of 681 acres located north and south of Woodmen Road at Banning Lewis Parkway.