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Board rezones 39.2 acres at Big Springs Estates from A-35 to RR-5
Summary
The board approved a map amendment to rezone 39.2 acres off Big Springs Road from A-35 (agricultural) to RR-5 (residential rural), clearing the way for a seven-lot subdivision subject to future plat, drainage and fire-safety conditions.
The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved (5-0) on Sept. 11 a rezoning (P25006) of 39.2 acres in the Big Springs area from Agricultural A-35 to Residential Rural RR-5. The approval authorizes a zoning change that the applicant said would support a future seven-lot subdivision and include fire-protection measures such as a cistern.
Planner Joseph Lettke reviewed the application and noted the property sits amid largely agricultural A-35 parcels with some nearby pockets of smaller-lot residential subdivisions. Several planning commission members had earlier expressed concern that the rezone could appear to “leapfrog” existing A-35 parcels, but staff said the proposal aligns with the county master plan’s rural place-type guidance and the county’s minimal-change area designation.
Grace Erickson, the applicant’s representative, said the project would install a fire cistern (county and fire-district requirements to be met). Tri-County Fire Protection Chief Mark Stammel told commissioners a 30,000-gallon cistern would be required for fire protection and that adding a cistern in this location would also benefit the surrounding community because the nearest cistern is roughly 11.5 miles by road.
Engineering staff said no off-site road improvements were required for the rezoning and that Big Springs Road is an unpaved county-maintained road. A traffic study was submitted; projected trips did not trigger mitigation thresholds. County staff noted drainage and grading plans will be required as part of the later final plat application.
Action details - Map amendment rezoning (P25006) — approved 5-0. Roll call: Commissioner Wysong: aye; Commissioner Nelson: aye; Commissioner Applegate: aye; Vice Chair Williams: aye; Chair: aye. The decision allows future platting and development under RR-5 standards and standard permitting processes.
Next steps include final plat review, submission of drainage and erosion control plans, and compliance with El Paso County Public Works and the applicable fire district’s requirements, including installation of the required cistern and coordination on water-supply and emergency access.
