El Paso County planning commission rejects Flying Horse East sketch plan; continues separate replat to July 17

At its June 19 meeting, the El Paso County Planning Commission voted 5-3 to decline recommending approval of SKP242, the Flying Horse East Phase 1 sketch plan, after extended presentations and discussion about compatibility with Schriever Space Force Base, transportation and utility capacity, and environmental constraints. The commission earlier in the meeting approved a continuance for Agenda Item 3b (VR-235, Peyton Ranches Filing No. 1A) to the July 17 meeting.

The sketch plan, presented by HR Green on behalf of Flying Horse Land Company, covered roughly 1,800 acres and proposed a mix of residential, commercial and open-space uses. Planning staff described the concept as including about 818 acres shown for residential, roughly 31 acres for commercial, a potential school site of about 90 acres, and the remaining land as mixed use, rights-of-way, parks and open space. Staff said the conceptual plan could allow up to a theoretical maximum of about 5,000 residential dwelling units under the proposal’s parameters, with a reported gross density figure used for high-level analysis that county staff characterized as conceptual rather than final.

Why it matters: The site sits adjacent to Schriever Space Force Base and lies within place types in the county master plan that recommend lower suburban densities near the installation. Commissioners and the base’s deputy commander raised questions about electromagnetic and operational compatibility, the adequacy and timing of major road improvements on State Highway 94 and Enoch Road, and whether key utility infrastructure—particularly water and wastewater—can be delivered in a timeframe that matches development needs.

What the base said: Colonel David Barrios, deputy commander for Space Delta 41 (Schriever), told commissioners he was speaking to provide a military perspective, not to support or oppose the project. He cited Colorado Revised Statute 29-20-105.6 and the base’s statutory right to review proposals…