City Council Approves Controversial Development Agreement

In a recent Woodland Park city council meeting, discussions centered around the approval of a subdivision development agreement (SDA) for the Woodland Station project, which has faced significant delays over the past two decades. Council members expressed concerns about adherence to city regulations, with one member likening the situation to construction without proper permits. However, city staff reassured the council that all necessary processes are being followed, albeit concurrently rather than sequentially, to expedite the project.

The SDA is a common tool used across the state, designed to facilitate the development process while ensuring compliance with city requirements. It allows for simultaneous completion of various project components, empowering the developer to meet their operational timeline of under a year, despite the agreement's two-year duration. The council emphasized that all activities at the site have been permitted thus far.

Tony Perry, treasurer of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), addressed the council, highlighting the importance of community involvement in the reimagining of Birchland Park and the potential for improvements in the downtown area. He noted the DDA's commitment to revitalizing the community and mentioned plans for a memorial honoring local historian Bert Bergstrom, who contributed significantly to the area.

The council ultimately moved to approve the SDA, which will authorize public improvements and construction associated with the Woodland Station subdivision, pending staff approval of the necessary exhibits. This decision marks a significant step forward in a project that has been a focal point of community development efforts for years.