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Douglas County commissioners approve El Paso County condemnation and temporary access license for Greenland Ranch roadway widening
Summary
Douglas County commissioners approved a settlement that grants El Paso County a permanent roadway easement of roughly 3 acres and a temporary access license on Greenland Ranch to widen County Line Road/East Palmer Divide Avenue; El Paso will pay roughly $87,000 for the taking and legal fees.
Douglas County's Board of County Commissioners approved a condemnation settlement and temporary access license that will allow El Paso County to widen County Line Road (also called East Palmer Divide Avenue) through the Greenland Ranch open-space parcel.
Staff from Douglas County Open Space told the board the settlement grants El Paso County a permanent roadway easement of “just under 3 acres” and a temporary license to access adjacent land to perform grading and construction. Dan Dertz, director of Open Space, told commissioners that El Paso County will pay “just over $87,000” for the taking and legal fees; county staff also reported an additional payment to the Douglas Land Conservancy of $85,238 tied to conservation-easement releases. A payment to Douglas County was referenced in the public presentation but the amount was unclear in the record.
Why it matters: The easement and license allow construction needed to widen the state-local cross-jurisdictional portion of County Line Road/East Palmer Divide Avenue along the southern edge of Douglas County. County staff recommended approval so El Paso can complete the road project that affects travel and access in the area.
Board action and official finding: Commissioner comments were brief and no citizen comment was offered. Commissioner [motioning commissioner name not specified in the audio record] moved to approve the El Paso County Condemnation and License Agreement for Greenland Ranch; another commissioner seconded the motion. The board voted in favor by voice vote and the chair announced “that motion carries 3,” indicating unanimous approval of the three-member board.
Key details and conditions: The staff presentation described the permanent easement, the temporary access license (to be granted outside the condemnation action), and the financial terms reported above. No additional conditions or follow-up directives were recorded in the meeting minutes presented at the hearing.
What remains unclear: The staff presentation referenced an additional payment to Douglas County but the numeric amount was unclear in the meeting transcript. The staff packet or settlement documents should be consulted for precise accounting and for copies of the condemnation and license agreements.
Provenance: The board heard the staff presentation and took the consolidated motions and vote during the land use item labeled “El Paso County Condemnation and License Agreement for Greenland Ranch.”
