Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a Donation to the City of Colorado Springs of a 9.46 Acre Parcel of Property from FirstBank
Body
From:
Karen Palus, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Chris Lieber, Parks Development Manager
Summary:
The attached Resolution authorizes acceptance of a donation to the City of Colorado Springs of a 9.46 acre parcel of property from FirstBank for open space purposes. Acceptance of the donation will allow for public enjoyment of the property as an addition to the existing Northgate Open Space.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Background:
FirstBank has offered to donate 9.46 acres of property, TSN 6206100002, (Property) to the City of Colorado Springs for open space purposes as an extension of the Northgate Open Space. The 9.46-acre parcel is located to the north of the existing Northgate Open Space and north of Northgate Road. The Property was first identified as an Open Space Candidate area on the 1997 Open Space Master Plan. Since 1997, the TOPS Working Committee has toured the property on three occasions, each time confirming the property's natural resource values and potential recreation opportunities. The property possesses natural, scenic, open space aesthetic, ecological, and environmental values that merit consideration as an extension of the existing Northgate Open Space.
The Colorado Springs Park System Master Plan identifies this property as an important open space candidate area and future trail connection. Acquisition of this property would help facilitate a possible future extension of the Smith Creek Trail to the east, connecting the Northgate Open Space to El Paso County's proposed trail system.
The Property is encumbered with a Deed of Conservation Easement, recorded as Instrument Number 210114261. The conservation easement prohibits subdivision of the property and requires protection of natural resources, including the Prebles Jumping Mouse habitat. The Conservation Easement is held by El Paso County, giving the County the responsibly of administrating and monitoring the easement in perpetuity. City staff has worked with El Paso County staff to prepare a minor amendment to the Deed of Conservation Easement in anticipation of the City's acceptance of the Property. El Paso County Commissioners unanimously approved the Amendment to the Deed of Conservation Easement on April 7, 2015.
Financial Implications:
No City funds are required for the acceptance of the Property donation. Given the Property's size and adjacency to the existing Northgate Open Space, little additional maintenance funding will be required to manage this property. The addition of this property may result in management efficiencies as this property encompasses a portion of the existing pond and dam that the City currently maintains.
Board/Commission Recommendation:
The TOPS Working Committee recommended acceptance of the donation of the Property on March 5, 2014. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended acceptance of the donation of the Property on December 11, 2014.
Stakeholder Process:
Property neighbors and community open space advocates have expressed a desire for conservation of the property and advocated for public access at numerous TOPS Working Committee meetings since the inception of the TOPS Program in 1997. The TOPS Working Committee toured the Property on three occasions over the past decade in response to TOPS Applications and requests from neighbors and open space advocates. The recent update to the Park System Master Plan included extensive public input on potential open space candidate areas.
Alternatives:
Decline acceptance of the donation of the Property.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a donation to the City of Colorado Springs of a 9.46 acre parcel of property from FirstBank.
Ordinance Language
N/A