Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of Approximately Forty Acres of Property as an Addition to the Corral Bluffs Open Space Through the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Program.
Presenter:
Britt I. Haley, TOPS Program Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
Body
Summary:
Since 1996, when the City's first Open Space Plan was adopted, the City of Colorado Springs has prioritized and worked to acquire property in and around the Corral Bluffs area for its special open space values. This action item provides the opportunity for the TOPS program to make a strategic acquisition of approximately forty (40) acres of property, which was originally part of the Bishop Ranch, purchased in late 2018, and is consequently surrounded on three sides by the existing Corral Bluffs Open Space. Additionally, it offers the opportunity to manage access to the existing Corral Bluffs Open Space property from State Highway 94.
Background:
The 2014 Park System Master Plan ("Master Plan") identifies the Corral Bluffs area as an Open Space Candidate Area. In fact, this area has long been identified for land conservation in advance of development. It was first identified over 20 years ago in the 1996 City Open Space Plan and also in the 1997 El Paso County Open Space Master Plan. Beginning with a TOPS program purchase of the Case property in 2009, the Anderson property in 2010, the Kyle property in 2017, and the Bishop Ranch property in 2018, the TOPS program has diligently and patiently worked to assemble adjoining property in this resource rich area.
The 2014 Park System Master Plan (Master Plan) includes several goals that are supported by this proposal. First it provides enhanced open space opportunity on the City of Colorado Spring's east boundary, just as development is preparing to move forward under a revised and restated Banning Lewis Ranch annexation agreement intended to revitalize development on the adjoining 21,000 acres. Second,...
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