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OCN > 2603 > Monument Planning Commission, Feb. 11 – Conexus proposes 158 apartments and townhomes on 23 acres

Monument Planning Commission, Feb. 11 – Conexus proposes 158 apartments and townhomes on 23 acres

Highlights

  • The Monument Planning Commission introduced Jenna Gorney as the new senior planner, bringing ten years of experience from Pennsylvania, Utah, and western Colorado to help manage growth.
  • Conexus Lot One proposes a 23-acre, 158-unit residential subdivision as part of a larger mixed-use development on Old Denver Highway, with nearby areas planned for commercial and industrial uses.
  • The project, approved in December 2025, includes two-bedroom apartments and larger townhomes, aiming to serve "missing middle" workers earning 80% to 120% of area median income, with ground breaking targeted in 2027.
  • The development schedule includes a March formal submittal, a focus on trail connections to the Santa Fe Regional Trail, and a realignment of Old Denver Road adjacent to the site.
  • Density is 354 units for Lot One, below the master-plan limit of 399, and to maintain scale, the maximum apartment height is proposed at about 41.5 feet instead of the 75 feet allowed.
  • The project will be served by Triview Water and Sanitation District with a renewable water source, and school impacts are said to be modest with potential fees in lieu of land; a public outreach process for renaming the bypassed Old Denver Road is planned for early March.

By Janet Sellers

The Monument Planning Commission on Feb. 11 introduced Jenna Gorney, the town’s new senior planner. She brings a decade of experience from Pennsylvania, Utah, and western Colorado, and expressed her enthusiasm for helping manage Monument’s growth.

Development includes 158-unit residential subdivision on 23 acres

The primary focus of the meeting was a presentation regarding Conexus Lot One, a proposed multi-family and townhome development. This “pre-application” sharing of information was intended to gather initial feedback before a formal submittal planned for March.

Conexus Lot One is part of a large, proposed mixed-use development located in the 80132 area on the west side of I-25, situated between Old Denver Road and Interstate 25 and east of the Buffalo Valley Path area in Monument. The project features a 23-acre, 158-unit residential subdivision along that strip of land. Nearby areas are planned for commercial/industrial use.

Above: Conexus Lot One Project site map.

The development, approved by the Monument Town Council in December 2025, includes single-family detached homes. Other parts of the broader Conexus development have plans for high-density residential and commercial development. The site includes plans for trail connections for the Santa Fe Regional Trail and is adjacent to a newly realigned section of Old Denver Road. Construction is referred to in town planning documents as Lot 1, Conexus Filing No. 2, and it is expected to break ground with completion targets starting in 2027.

Mark Foster of Hillpointe LLC explained that the project targets the “missing middle” group of essential workers who earn between 80% and 120% of the average median income. The goal of the development is to provide attainable housing that “allows residents to establish themselves in the community and save for future homeownership.” These are two-bedroom apartment units with somewhat larger townhomes. Andrea Barlow of N.E.S. provided a timeline of the property, noting it was originally zoned for industrial use in 1981. She highlighted that the current plan resulted from extensive collaboration with the “Save Monument” community group to create a balanced mix of uses that neighbors could support.

Above: Artist renderings of the apartment buildings and the front and back of townhouses. Courtesy the Town of Monument.

Old Denver Road realignment progresses

Eric Chekal of Schuck-Chapman reported on the construction of the “New Denver Road.” Utilities are nearly complete, and curb and gutter work is slated to begin in March, with paving expected in late spring. To minimize disruption, major intersection work is being scheduled for after the school year ends.

Density and height reductions

The proposed development for Lot One includes 354 units, which is fewer than the 399 units permitted by the master plan. While a building height of 75 feet is allowed, the applicant is proposing a maximum height of about 41.5 feet for the apartments to maintain a more appropriate scale.

The “Missing Middle” vs. Industrial Reality

The hearing then centered on the “Missing Middle”—housing for those earning 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income ($90k for a family of four). Mark Foster, vice president of Development at Hillpointe, emphasized his point that these non-subsidized rentals would allow families to save $25,000 a year compared to the high cost of local homeownership.

However, the debate shifted from the math to the lifestyle when discussing the units facing Old Denver Road. The developer presented a vision of a “front porch” design with no gates or barriers, intended to connect residents to the community and local traditions like the Fourth of July parade. Commissioner Baumer challenged this “open” concept, citing concerns over industrial growth and increased traffic. She emphasized that as the nearby industrial complex expands, residents will likely want a barrier between their private lives and the encroaching commercial activity, regardless of the 25mph speed limit.

Renewable water strategy served by Triview

In response to commissioners’ questions, the developers clarified that the project will be served by Triview Water and Sanitation District. The district utilizes the Northern Delivery System, meaning the project will be supported by a renewable water source rather than relying solely on groundwater.

School capacity impacts

The commission discussed potential impacts on School District 38. Foster noted that multi-family units typically generate fewer students than single-family homes and that the district generally prefers “fees in lieu of land” because they already have dedicated school sites prepared for future capacity.

Old Denver Road Renaming Initiative

Town staff announced a planned public outreach process to rename the bypassed section of “old” Old Denver Road. The initiative aims to bring the community together to select a permanent name for that local road segment, and indications are that this will occur in early March.

Comprehensive Plan update

The staff reported that a new grant from the state Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) will fund the completion of the Monument Comprehensive Plan. A summary of the visioning process is expected by mid-March, and that will guide the formal drafting of the new plan.

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The Planning Commission usually meets on the second Wednesday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for March 11. For further information on commission meetings, please visit www.townofmonument.org/263/planningpcommission-commission-board-of-adjustment or contact 719-884-8028. A recording with a transcript of each meeting is also available.

Janet Sellers can be reached at JanetSellers@ocn.me.

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