Title
West Colorado Annexation Options and Potential Fee Policy Change
Body
From:
Councilmember Merv Bennett; Carl Schueler, Planning Manager - Comprehensive Planning
Summary:
Councilman Merv Bennett has been coordinating a multi-jurisdictional group that has met several times with City and CSU staff to review options associated with annexing all or part of the remaining unincorporated territory on the west side of Colorado Springs in the vicinity of West Colorado Avenue and U.S. 24 generally east of the City of Manitou Springs.
The process undertaken by the group will be generally explained along with a recommended priority area and approach. Voluntary coordinated annexations could be particularly encouraged for properties north of the U.S. 24 right-of-way (ROW) by waiving all or a part of the City's application fees for annexation and the associated zoning actions.
Previous Council Action:
None specifically applicable to this topic.
Background:
The remaining unincorporated areas in the vicinity of West Colorado Avenue and U.S. 24 function as an "enclave" because they are now surrounded by properties within the City of Manitou Springs. However, most this area does not technically qualify as an enclave because of its border with Manitou Springs and internal boundaries with non-annexed right-of-way. The City Annexation Plan (2006) recommends annexation of all of these areas based primarily on jurisdictional logic and efficiency. For those properties still served by septic systems, annexation would provide the added advantage of accelerating the conversion to City sewer. This is especially important for those properties along Colorado Avenue immediately upstream from CSU's 33rd Street water intake.
Progress toward annexation of these privately owned areas has been sporadic and very limited in recent years. This has been due to a combination of factors, including:
? Annexation is costly and time consuming
? Most u...
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