Title
Ordinance No. 25-58 amending the zoning map of the City of Colorado Springs relating to 6.18 acres located at 1133 South Royer street from GI (general industrial) to PDZ (planned development zone district; non-residential; 180,000 maximum square footage; 80 feet maximum building height) (Second Reading and Public Hearing) (Quasi-Judicial)
Related Files: N/A
Located in Council District 3
This application is in association with the Tava Mountain Energy Storage Facility zone change which had the first reading setting a hearing date on June 10th, 2025.
Presenter:
Allison Stocker, Senior Planner, Planning Department
Kevin Walker, Director, Planning Department
Body
Summary:
Owner: C & M Enterprise LLC
Developer: esVolta Development LLC
Representative: Chris Beasley
Location: 1133 South Royer Street
The Zoning Map Amendment and Land Use Plan are to allow for the eventual redevelopment of subject parcel as a Energy Storage Facility. These facilities are considered a Major Utility per UDC Chapter Seven (7) which are only permitted in the Public Facility (PF) zone district. By pursuing a Planned Development Zone (PDZ) they can allow for the interim continuation of the existing land use while preparing for future redevelopment of the property as an Energy Storage Facility. The related Land Use Plan illustrates the preliminary plans for redevelopment of the site and the proposed Community Benefits which are a requirement of the Planned Development Zone (PDZ).
Background:
Please see the attached City Planning Commission Staff Report for a complete analysis of the proposed applications.
Review Criteria:
The review criteria for Zone Map Amendment as set forth in City Code Section 7.5.704 (UDC) are noted below:
1. The proposed rezoning is consistent with the goals and policies of the Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan, with other plans and policies adopted by the City Council; and with the purpose statement of the proposed zone district(s).
2. The rezoning will not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or general welfare.
3. The location of the lands in the zoning map area being amended are appropriate for the purposes of the proposed zone district(s).
4. If the application proposes to rezone a small area of land, the application demonstrates that the size, scale, height density, and multimodal traffic impacts of the proposed rezoning are compatible with surrounding development or can be made compatible with surrounding development through approval conditions.
5. If the application proposes to rezone a relatively small area of land, the application demonstrates that the change in zoning will not create significant dislocations of tenants or occupants of the property, or that any impacts are outweighed by other public benefits or progress toward other Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan goals that would be achieved by approval of the application.
6. If a Land Use Plan or amendment to a Land Use Plan accompanies the application, the Land Use Plan or amendment complies with the applicable criteria in Subsection7.5.514C.3 (Land Use Plan Criteria).
7. The application is consistent with any approved Concept Plans in the area for which the map is being amended or includes or is accompanied by a provision that approved Concept Plans that have been classified as implemented do not have to be amended in order to be considered consistent with an amended zoning map.
8. If the application is for creation of an ADS-O district, the approval criteria applicable to the creation of the text of the ADS-O district in Section 7.2.607 <https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coloradospringsco/latest/coloradosprings_co/0-0-0-50942>D.47.5.702 (Decision) shall also apply to consideration of the zoning map amendment required to create or amend the boundaries of the ADS-O district.
9. If rezoning to a PDZ district, the proposed PDZ district provides significant community amenities or other benefits, as determined by the Manager, that promote the achievement of Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan goals and would not otherwise be required of the applicant under this UDC or other City or governmental regulations.
10. Complies with the additional standards of the base zone district where the property is located (see Article 7.2 (Zone Districts)) or in an overlay district that applies to the property (see Part 7.2.6 (Overlay Districts)). (Ord. 23-03)
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
City Planning Commission voted 6 to 1 to approve the Tava Mountain Zone Map Amendment and the Tava Mountain Land Use Plan at the May 14th, 2025, meeting. Commissioner Cecil voted in opposition of these applications due to safety and health concerns with the battery storage use, and due to finding the Applicant’s responses to questions asked during the hearing to be unsatisfactory.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motions:
Should the City Council wish to approve the Zoning Map Amendment application, the following motion is suggested:
Approve the zone change of 6.18 acres from GI (General Industrial) to PDZ (Planned Development Zone; non-residential; 180,000 maximum square footage; 80 feet maximum building height) based upon the findings that the request complies with the criteria for a Zoning Map Amendment as set forth in City Code Section 7.5.704
Should the City Council wish to deny the Zoning Map Amendment application, the following motion is suggested:
Deny the zone change of 6.18 acres from GI (General Industrial) to PDZ (Planned Development Zone; non-residential; 180,000 maximum square footage; 80 feet maximum building height) based upon the findings that the request complies with the criteria for a Zoning Map Amendment as set forth in City Code Section 7.5.704.
Summary of Ordinance Language
An ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Colorado Springs relating to 6.18 acres located at 1133 South Royer Street from GI (General Industrial) to PDZ (Planned Development Zone; non-residential; 180,000 maximum square footage; 80 feet maximum building height)