Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
El Paso County planning panel hears neighbors’ concerns over Red Rock Acres subdivision
Loading...
Summary
The El Paso County Planning Commission heard staff and applicant presentations March 19 on a proposal to subdivide 54.5 acres into five single-family lots (Red Rock Acres). Neighbors raised concerns about floodplain impacts, protected wildlife habitat and driveway safety; the commission did not take a final vote.
The El Paso County Planning Commission on March 19 heard detailed presentations and neighborhood criticism of the Red Rock Acres subdivision proposal, a plan to divide 54.5 acres into five single-family lots and two tracts in RR2.5 and RR0.5 zoning.
Lisa Elgin, project manager for Planning and Community Development, told commissioners that staff mailed notices to 61 neighboring properties and that County Attorney and Public Health had recommended findings that water quality, quantity and dependability were sufficient. Elgin said Monument Creek and an associated floodplain extend onto Lots 2–4 and that the proposal would rely on individual wells. "The request is for subdivision approval of a 54.5 acre 2 parcels totaling 54.5 acres, which will create 5 single family lots and 2 tracts," Elgin said during her presentation.
Brett Dilts of El Paso County Engineering reviewed drainage and access. He said the site lies in the Raspberry Mountain drainage basin and contains a zone AE floodplain where "there will be no structures or fences permitted within this drainage area." Dilts described shared driveway arrangements—lots 1–3 would use a shared access to Red Rock Ranch Drive and lots 4–5 a shared access to Vista View Drive—and said the accesses met required sight-distance criteria and that road-impact fees would apply. Because of the large lot sizes, Dilts said no detention, water-quality or public improvements were required for the final plat.
In public comment, neighbor Rob Wilkinson, who lives at the corner near the proposed driveway, opposed the project and questioned both demand and siting. Wilkinson said he did not see market demand for five new homes on large lots near Red Rock Ranch and raised environmental and safety concerns. He cited floodplain coverage on Lots 3 and 5 and urged commissioners to consider habitat impacts on Monument Creek, including references to preble jumping mouse recovery materials. "So I think these homes where they are directly contradict, the preservation of the preble jumping mouse," Wilkinson said, adding concerns about blind spots and collision risks at the driveway tie-in and possible long-term effects on neighboring property values.
James McMurray of Matrix Design Group, representing the applicant, said the applicant had addressed the technical criteria and worked with county staff. "It's important we don't mistake weather for climate," McMurray said in rebuttal, and he noted the county recently completed a housing needs assessment that supports long-term demand. He added that floodplain, sensitive-habitat and sight-line concerns had been accounted for in coordination with the county and that relevant criteria were met.
The commission did not vote on the Red Rock Acres final plat at the March 19 meeting. Earlier in the session commissioners accepted the prior meeting minutes "as presented." Staff said the commission's next formal recommendation, if any, would be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.
Key details recorded at the hearing: the proposal covers 54.5 acres; it would create five single-family lots and two tracts; notices were sent to 61 neighboring properties; Monument Creek and a zone AE floodplain affect Lots 2–4; the project relies on individual wells; shared private access and maintenance agreements are proposed for the driveways; the county engineering presentation referenced ECM standards for sight-line and grading review.
