Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Districts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves Wilshire Metro Districts near Mark Sheffel; adjoining owner withdraws opposition but flags drainage and access
Summary
El Paso County approved service plans for Wilshire Metropolitan Districts 1 and 2 covering about 50.78 acres zoned PUD; opposing landowners withdrew their objection but asked the county to ensure future public access via Colorado Tech Drive and said they may seek a separate district or future amendment to address their infrastructure needs.
The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 25 approved a special district service plan for Wilshire Metropolitan Districts Numbers 1 and 2, authorizing up to $20,000,000 in debt and a combined mill levy cap of 65 mills (50 mills for debt, 10 mills for operations and maintenance, and 5 mills for special purpose).
Carrie Parsons, Principal Planner, Planning and Community Development, told the board the application covers approximately 50.78 acres zoned planned unit development (PUD). The preliminary plan approved for part of the site anticipates 44 single‑family lots in the area proposed for District 1; District 2 is planned for commercial development of about 55,000 square feet. The applicant’s service plan estimates eligible public‑improvement costs of $16,000,000 and requests a $20,000,000 debt limit to provide a contingency buffer.
The Raleigh family — represented by Ingrid Richter, broker and managing director of Olive Real Estate Group — filed a letter withdrawing prior opposition and appearing today as neutral. Richter told the board the Raleigh family still has longstanding concerns about flooding, access and underperforming drainage along the Mark Sheffel corridor and requested that Colorado Tech Drive, once constructed and accepted by the county, provide appropriate access to the Raleigh property. She also asked the county to support the Raleigh family’s ability to pursue a separate metropolitan district or a future amendment tailored to their property’s configuration if needed.
Staff noted that part of the Wilshire project lies within Cherokee Metropolitan District’s service area; Cherokee has provided the required consent so Wilshire may construct water and sewer facilities and then turn them over to Cherokee for operation and maintenance. Staff also told commissioners that a recorded court order has excluded the Wilshire site from Constitution Heights Metropolitan District, but the property will remain responsible for its proportionate share of any outstanding Constitution Heights debt.
County staff and the county engineer noted drainage and access issues are to be addressed in subsequent land‑use approvals. Carrie Parsons said the project will be subject to a Master Development Drainage Plan and later detailed construction drawings and drainage reports to ensure the project meets engineering standards and does not unfairly shift drainage burdens onto adjacent properties. Gilbert Laforce, county engineer, said he would confirm exhibit details about drainage mapping with staff.
The board approved the Wilshire service plans 4‑0. Commissioners and staff emphasized that the service‑plan approval does not constitute approval of later land‑use documents (preliminary plan and final plat), which will be required before construction.
