El Paso County planning panel backs Elkview Estates rezoning 7-1, forwards to commissioners

The El Paso County Planning Commission voted 7-1 on Sept. 18 to recommend approval of a map amendment to rezone 17.05 acres near Old Ranch Road from RR-5 to RR-2.5 for a proposed subdivision called Elkview Estates. The commission’s recommendation, made by Commissioner Shippel, included two conditions and two notations and will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.

The rezoning request, submitted by Elk Ridge Developments and presented by John Romero of Galloway, would allow lots averaging roughly 2.8 dwelling units per acre using well and septic systems. Planner Lacey Dean told commissioners the project “is brought by Elk Ridge Developments, for an approval to rezone 17.05 acres from RR5 to RR2.5,” and reviewed the county criteria for a rezone, saying “these criteria are really the only criteria we can look at today as far as approval goes.”

Why it matters: the change would allow smaller lots than the current RR-5 designation, and neighbors said that change could increase traffic, strain groundwater and change drainage patterns. Commissioners and staff noted that technical issues such as drainage reports, water sufficiency and construction-level access will be evaluated at the subdivision (preliminary plan/final plat) phase if rezoning is approved.

Staff findings and technical notes Planner Lacey Dean and Jose (Joe) Anstrom, an associate engineer with El Paso County Department of Public Works, said the property is in the Kettle Creek…