Title
An ordinance vacating a portion of a public right-of-way known as Kettle Creek Road and consisting of approximately 2.42 acres located at 2060 Old Ranch Road.
(Legislative)
Located in Council District 2
Presenter:
Austin Cooper, Senior Planner, City Planning Department
Kevin Walker, Planning Director, City Planning Department
Body
Summary:
Owner: Waldo S. Pendleton
Representative: N.E.S. Inc.
Location: 2060 Old Ranch Road
This request is on behalf of Waldo S. Pendleton, owner of 2060 Old Ranch Road, requesting to vacate Kettle Creek Road right-of-way.
Background:
The Applicant, N.E.S. Inc. on behalf of Challenger Homes, requests approval to vacate the entirety of Kettle Creek Road as platted within the Pendleton Subdivision to support redevelopment and annexation of the surrounding property. The right-of-way segment proposed for vacation is located north of Old Ranch Road, between Voyager Parkway and Otero Avenue, and currently serves as the western boundary of the Pendleton Subdivision. The roadway does not provide access to any other properties, is a dead-end, and no longer functions as a necessary public transportation corridor. A portion of Kettle Creek Road north of the project area has already been vacated and incorporated into adjacent platted property, and the remaining segment is now proposed for vacation to accommodate a new development plan and the relocation of the primary access approximately 500 feet east of the existing intersection.
The vacation will not adversely impact public utility or drainage needs. Colorado Springs Utilities has identified an existing underground gas line within the corridor; the development plan provides for its relocation and upsizing within a reserved 60-foot public utility easement. Additional private utilities present in the area will either be relocated or protected with new easements during redevelopment. Stormwater Engineering has confirmed the absence of drainage easements or stormwater infrastructure within the corridor.
Uniform width of adjacent rights-of-way will not be negatively affected, as the request encompasses the entire platted Kettle Creek Road, leaving no remaining fragments. Following vacation, the area will be replatted, and a new primary access road will be dedicated as part of the approved Development Plan. The vacation will also not adversely impact access to surrounding properties; no adjacent parcels rely on Kettle Creek Road for access, and all necessary access will be reestablished through the new internal street network.
Based on these considerations, Staff finds that the proposed right-of-way vacation complies with the applicable criteria of City Code Section 7.5.522. The request is consistent with the Unified Development Code, supports the goals of PlanCOS regarding strategis annexation and redevelopment of enclave areas, facilitates logical utility and infrastructure improvements, and promotes new residential development consistent with the surrounding neighborhood context.
Previous Council Action:
In July 2026, City Council approved Ordinance No. 26-34, annexing Kettle Creek Addition No. 1.
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
According to Section 7.5.522.C.5.a of the City Code, a request to vacate right-of-way is placed directly onto a City Council agenda for action after review by the administration. No review by another board or commission is required.
Stakeholder Process:
The public notification process consisted of providing notice to adjacent property owners within 1,000 feet of the site, which included the mailing of postcards to 61 property owners on two (2) occasions; during the internal review stage and prior to the City Council hearing. The site was also posted during the two occasions noted above. City Planning staff received no written comments about the proposed vacation.
Staff sent the vacation plat application to the standard internal and external review agencies for comments. Commenting agencies included Colorado Springs Fire Department, City Engineering, Stormwater Enterprise, City Traffic Engineering, and Colorado Springs Utilities. None of the agency partners had comments or issues with the vacation.
Alternatives:
1. Approve the application.
2. Deny the application; or
3. Refer the application back to staff for further consideration.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Motion to approve an ordinance vacating a portion of public right-of-way known as Kettle Creek Road and consisting of approximately 2.42 acres located at 2060 Old Ranch Road, based upon the findings that the vacation of right-of-way complies with the criteria set forth in City Code Sections 7.5.703 and 7.5.522.
Summary of Ordinance Language
An ordinance vacating a portion of public right-of-way known as Kettle Creek Road and consisting of approximately 2.42 acres located at 2060 Old Ranch Road.