Planning commission recommends approval of Berkheimer subdivision final plat

At its meeting, the El Paso County Planning Commission voted 9-0 to recommend approval of final plat SF2433 for the Berkheimer subdivision and forward the item to the Board of County Commissioners.

Planning staff said objections raised in a citizen letter did not require additional studies for this site. Joseph Lehi, planner and project manager, told the commission that the property is not heavily forested, is outside identified floodplain, and our GIS shows low wildlife impact potential. "We did not require a natural features report because the property is not heavily forested," Lehi said. He added that staff sent the application to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Colorado State Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife; none of the agencies provided outstanding comments requiring that report.

Lehi also said he checked the U.S. Geological Survey wetlands inventory and did not find a nationally recognized wetland; the application does note shallow groundwater in a plat note. With those findings, staff recommended approval with conditions and notations and a recommendation of sufficiency regarding water quality, quantity and dependability.

Commissioner Fuller moved for approval in accordance with the attached resolution; Commissioner Trowbridge seconded the motion. The commission voted in favor with the nine regular members present voting aye. There were no public speakers on this item.

The commission record will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final consideration. The staff packet and the three-agency review are noted in the record.