Title
A Resolution of the City of Colorado Springs approving a Service Plan for the Freestyle Park and Recreation District formed under the C.R.S. Title 32 serving an area of 879.127 acres generally located south of Huber Road and North of Barnes Road
Presenter:
Allison Stocker, Senior Planner, Planning Department
Kevin Walker, Planning Department Director
Body
Summary:
This Service Plan creates the Freestyle Parks and Recreation District for the purpose of financing and providing operations and maintenance (O&M) for park and recreation facilities in the Freestyle Metropolitan Districts Nos. 1-4. Park and Recreation Districts are allowed and described in CRS 32-1-307 and CRS 32-1-1005. The Freestyle Parks and Recreation District will be in Council District 6.
Background:
Freestyle Metropolitan Districts are located South of Huber Road and North of Barnes Road and contains four (4) metropolitan districts. The proposed Parks and Recreation district will consist of 879.127 acres and include five (5) park sites and a trail network throughout the development. The park sites include one community park containing approximately nineteen (19) acres and four (4) neighborhood parks that are all between three (3) and six (6) acres. These parks are distributed throughout the development to allow for equitable access to these amenities.
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 Freestyle Metropolitan Districts 1-4 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 879.127 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 Freestyle Parks and Recreation District service plan maintains a pre-authorized debt of a maximum of thirty-two (32) million. The first year’s operating budget is estimated to be $50,000 dollars. These estimates are supported by detailed calculations for a variety of public improvements included in Exhibit D.
There is one specific request of the applicant to deviate from the Special District Policy of the City of Colorado Springs, which can be allowed by the Special District Policy, with specific Council approval. The Applicant requests that Council will allow an overlay park district as described in section G.1.4 of the City Special District Policy. This deviation from the model service plan was previously permitted for the similar Percheron Parks and Recreation District which was approved in Fall 2024.
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:
Freestyle Metropolitan District Nos. 1- 4 were created in July 2021. Since the creation, the service plan was amended and restated, and a bond issuance was completed in 2022 to not to exceed $53,6000,000.
This item was heard by Council at Work Session on March 10th, 2025. No major concerns specific to the formation of this District were discussed.
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:
Move to adopt a Resolution of the City of Colorado Springs approving a Service Plan for the Freestyle Parks and Recreation District formed under the C.R.S. Title 32 serving an area of 879.127 acres generally located south of Huber Road and North of Barnes Road.
Move to deny a Resolution of the City of Colorado Springs approving a Service Plan for the Freestyle Parks and Recreation District formed under the C.R.S. Title 32 serving an area of 879.127 acres generally located south of Huber Road and North of Barnes Road.