Title
Ordinance No. 25-44 excluding certain property from the boundaries of the Gold Hill North Business Improvement District
(Legislative)
Presenter:
Kevin Walker, Director, City Planning Department
Body
Summary:
This ordinance would make minor adjustments to exclude certain property from the Gold Hill North Business Improvement District (“District”) that was previously approved in 2021 and amended in 2024. This Business Improvement District (BID) finances public improvements costs and provide services for the current and future phases of the Gold Hill Mesa project located south of U.S. Highway 24 on the west side of Colorado Springs. The applicants are using a combination of this BID and two associated metropolitan districts to provide public financing and associated district services for this project area. Generally, commercial properties are included within this BID with residential properties being included in one of the two metropolitan districts.
This BID’s Operating Plan and Budget continues to conform with the City’s standard form template for BIDs.
Background:
This BID provides property tax-based public improvements financing and services for the redevelopment of this site. By state law, BIDs cannot assess residential properties for property taxes.
The Operating Plan and Budget continues to allow for a mill levy cap of up to 50.0 mills. The maximum operations and maintenance mill levies will be 10.0 mills.
By State law, any district inclusions or exclusions must be approved by City Council.
The property is located in a designated urban renewal area (Gold Hill Mesa Commercial Urban Renewal Area). The urban renewal plan for this property was approved in 2015 as essentially a carve out of the original 2004 designation of the entire Gold Hill Mesa project.
Previous Council Action:
City Council approved the original service plan for this District on July 27, 2021 that was finally passed on August 10, 2021. Property was excluded in action in approved on October 22, 2024. There have also been other actions taken by Council on related land use and urban renewal area applications. In 2023 an Amended and Restated Operating plan was approved conforming with the then newly adopted Model Service Plan and its associated mill levy limits.
On March 24, 2025, Council received a briefing on this matter at the Work Session Meeting. Council approved the request on first reading on March 25, 2025, on an 8-0 vote.
Financial Implications:
There are no direct implications to general City taxpayers and ratepayers outside of the boundaries of this Districts.
Stakeholder Process:
The staff-level Special District Committee has been provided with the materials associated with this request. Comments or concerns from the Committee have been addressed in these documents.
Alternatives:
City Council could choose to approve, deny, or modify the proposed ordinance.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move adopt Ordinance 25-44 excluding certain property from the boundaries of the Gold Hill North Business Improvement District
Summary of Ordinance Language
An Ordinance excluding certain property from the boundaries of the Gold Hill North Business Improvement District