Title
A Resolution of the City of Colorado Springs approving a Service Plan for the Meadoworks Park and Recreation District formed under the C.R.S. Title 32 serving an area of 117.255 acres located in the southernmost portions of Banning Lewis Ranch contained within the boundaries and/or inclusion area boundaries of Meadoworks Metropolitan District Nos. 1-5.
Presenter:
Allison Stocker, Senior Planner, Planning Department
Kevin Walker, Director, Planning Department
Body
Summary:
This Service Plan creates the Meadoworks Park and Recreation District for the purpose of financing and providing operations and maintenance (O&M) for park and recreation facilities in the Meadoworks development in the southernmost portion of Banning-Lewis Ranch. Park and Recreation Districts are allowed and described in CRS 32-1-307 and CRS 32-1-1005. The Meadoworks Park and Recreation District will be in Council District 4.
Background:
Meadoworks Metropolitan Districts are located at the southernmost point of Banning Lewis Ranch north of Bradley Road and contains five (5) metropolitan districts. The proposed Parks and Recreation district will consist of 117.255 acres and will include approximately ten (10) acres of parks and approximately five (5) acres of trails and open space.
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 Meadoworks 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 are not duplicative.
The District will serve an area of 117.255 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 Meadoworks Park and Recreation District service plan intends a total maximum of four (4) million dollars in debt pre-authorization. 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.
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.
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:
Meadoworks Metropolitan District Nos. 1- 5 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 exceed forty-three (43) million dollars.
This item was heard by Council at Work Session on March 10th, 2025. No concerns were raised specific to the formation of this District.
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 Meadoworks Parks and Recreation District formed under the C.R.S. Title 32 serving an area of 117.255 acres located in the southernmost portions of Banning Lewis Ranch contained within Meadoworks Metropolitan District Nos. 1-5.
Move to deny a Resolution of the City of Colorado Springs approving a Service Plan for the Meadoworks Parks and Recreation District formed under the C.R.S. Title 32 serving an area of 117.255 acres located in the southernmost portions of Banning Lewis Ranch contained within Meadoworks Metropolitan District Nos. 1-5.