Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO), Jan. 21 – New board introduced; guest speakers discuss transportation, impact fees

By Marlene Brown

Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) held its bi-monthly meeting on Jan. 21. The first order of business was the introduction of the new Board of Directors that was voted in at the November meeting.

The new board is made up of President Mike Aspenson (Vista Clara Villas HOA), absent; Vice President Bob Swedenburg (Gleneagle North HOA); Secretary Roy Martinez (High Pines Owners Association); Treasurer Tim Miller (Tall Pines Ranch HOA); Director of Community Outreach Dave Betzler (Red Rock Ranch HOA); Larry Oliver, director of Membership (Gleneagle Civic Association); Member-at-Large Harold Larson (Heights Property Owners Association).

Committee reports included one by Betzler that NEPCO is applying for a grant for a new laptop, speakers, projector, and microphone with upgrading capabilities for meeting presentations and communications.

Beth Lonnquist (Red Rock Ranch HOA) of the Wildfire Preparedness Committee reported that with the wildfire probability so high that evacuation is the key. Go to https://co-pub.coloradoforestatlas.org/#/ to learn more. Creating a fire mitigation committee for each HOA is recommended. For more information, contact Lonquist at RRRHOABeth@gmail.com.

Bob Mooney, chair of Transportation and Land Use, reported that at the Monument Planning Commission meeting on Jan. 17, the developer withdrew the request for Monument Ridge East and West annexation. Also, the developer withdrew the project for Caliber at Woodmoor Multi-family rezone due to the economic downturn.

In November, the El Paso Board of County Commissioners approved the sketch plan for Flying Horse North for 846 single-family residential lots, with a hotel, golf club, restaurant, and fitness center, Mooney said. Many letters of opposition are on file. The next steps include the developer returning with a revised PUD plan and preliminary plans. Schedule public hearings for approval of specific plans, revised traffic studies, and water sufficiency reports. He requested volunteers with no experience necessary to help with the Transportation and Land Use Committee. Training will be provided. Contact Mooney at bobmooney01@msn.com.

Guest speaker John Liosatos, transportation director for the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG), explained how PPACG works with several counties, towns, and cities in the area including El Paso County, Park County, and Teller County on transportation planning and funding. There are several sources of funding, including the gas tax, vehicle license tax, sales, tools, impact fees, and state and local grants. Long-range plans through year 2050 are being updated through public involvement and future regional development. Transportation planning for the Pikes Peak area involves coordination with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Tri-County stakeholders. Funding is available for jurisdictions for local transportation priorities. More information: www.ppacg.org/transportation.

Greg Roosevelt, member of the county Impact Fee Committee and the county Community Services Block Grant Committee, explained that impact fees are paid by developers for the roads surrounding the development. Fees are used for roads, bridges, and stormwater infrastructure. The road impact fees are paid before the recording of the final plat. Fees vary for single-family, multi-family, hotels, or general commercial structures. Many fees are paid at time that the building permit is issued. For more information, see https://publicworks.elpasoco.com/road-impact-fees.

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The next NEPCO meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on March 11 at the Woodmoor Barn. Guest speakers scheduled are Jim Reid, El Paso County Office of Emergency Management, and Mark Gunderman, president of the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District. For more information about NEPCO, see http://nepco.org.

Marlene Brown can be reached at marlenebrown@ocn.me.

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