Planning commission recommends approving Challenger Corner plat, urges City Council to waive $5,448 park fee

The Woodland Park Planning Commission on June 11 recommended that City Council approve the Challenger Corner subdivision preliminary and final plat (A26-45), a proposal to plat about 0.83 acres so each of two long-standing homes has its own lot. Planning Director Karen Schmank told commissioners the property at 405 North Baldwin Street lies in the neighborhood commercial zone and is already serviced by separate water taps, and staff found the plat complies with the applicable subdivision criteria.

Karen Schmank said CORE (electric utility) requested utility easements and that, to avoid placing an easement through an existing dwelling, staff and the utility agreed to reduce a typical 15-foot easement to 10 feet in one location. She also said the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board recommended a $5,448 park-fee payment in lieu of land dedication; the applicants asked that fee be waived because they are not creating new housing.

Surveyor Eric Simonson (Rampart Surveys) confirmed title work and easement history and said his review found only an expired 1987 deeded easement; he described creating sewer and water easements to formalize existing service arrangements. Owner Richard Challiner told the commission he and his wife are moving for health reasons and said paying the $5,448 fee before selling one of the houses would prevent them from completing the sale and relocating.

After discussion about precedent and the commission’s authority, members moved, seconded and voted by roll call to recommend that City Council waive the $5,448 park fee. The commission then voted to recommend City Council approve the preliminary and final plat subject to two conditions: recording the final plat with the Teller County Clerk and Recorder and resubmittal correcting staff redline comments. Chair Lee Brown said the item will appear before City Council on June 18 at 6:00 p.m.

The commission’s recommendation deletes the park-fee payment condition from the staff recommendation, leaving the two technical recording and redline conditions in place. The planning commission’s vote was unanimous. The council will make the final decision.