In a recent Fruta City Council meeting, city planner Henry Hempel presented a resolution regarding the potential annexation of approximately 53.59 acres of property located at 95817 and a Half Road. This proposal, known as the CARP annexation, is the first step in a process that requires the council to determine the eligibility of the property for annexation into the city.

Hempel explained that the city had previously adopted a resolution to set a public hearing date for this matter, which was legally advertised in the Veil Sentinel over four consecutive weeks. He noted that the property in question is within the city’s urban growth boundary and meets the necessary contiguity requirements, having over 2,241 feet of connection to existing city limits.

The council is required to follow state statutes, specifically Colorado Revised Statute 31-12-104(1)(a), which outlines the criteria for annexation. Hempel recommended approval of the resolution, stating that the property meets the necessary requirements for annexation.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Tessa Bynum raised concerns regarding the planning and development department's staff report. She questioned the compatibility of the proposed development with the Fruta comprehensive plan and the city’s infrastructure standards, specifically citing discrepancies in road width requirements. Bynum pointed out that while the city mandates roads to be 44 feet wide, the plans for the development propose a width of only 30 feet, which she argued does not align with existing city regulations.

The council is expected to deliberate further on the annexation proposal, taking into account both the staff recommendations and public feedback before making a final decision.