New residential development sparks concerns over fire evacuation plans

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposed residential development adjacent to an existing mobile home park near Cheyenne Mountain State Park. The development aims to introduce a variety of residential lot types to the area, which is characterized by sparse vegetation and is situated downhill from the park.

Key infrastructure improvements were highlighted, particularly regarding access to Highway 115. The project will include the annexation and enhancement of Pawnee Road to meet Colorado Springs standards, featuring new left and right turn lanes and plans for a future traffic light at the intersection of Pawnee and Highway 115. This is intended to facilitate better traffic flow and evacuation routes in case of emergencies.

Council members raised concerns about the adequacy of current road conditions and the potential impact on traffic, especially during fire evacuations. The traffic impact study conducted for the project accounted for existing residents and the mobile home park, and preliminary evacuation modeling was discussed to address safety concerns.

Further discussions included the need for improvements to Pawnee Road, which is currently undersized for the anticipated traffic. Plans for the road include widening to accommodate increased capacity and safety measures, such as fire hydrants to support firefighting efforts in the area.

The development will also comply with fire safety standards due to its location within a wildland urban interface, ensuring that all construction meets specific fire-resistant guidelines. The Colorado Springs Fire Department has indicated that while they have no major concerns, the project must adhere to these design standards moving forward.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of infrastructure planning and public safety in the context of new residential developments in the region.