HIGHLAND PARK PETITION

HIGHLAND PARK PETITION AGAINST EXPANSION OF BRIARGATE PARKWAY, STAPLETON RD TAX DISTRICT AND STERLING RANCH

To:     El Paso County Board of County Commissioners

We, the undersigned residents of Highland Park, residents of adjoining subdivisions, and other supporting El Paso residents, petition to express our opposition to three currently proposed or potential initiatives affecting us:

·         Expansion of Briargate Parkway beyond the current four-lane plan,

·         Inclusion of our subdivisions in the Stapleton Metropolitan Tax District, and

·         Allowing Sterling Ranch to be developed as a high density land use residential area.

Following are the reasons that signers oppose these initiatives:

Expansion of Briargate Parkway :

1)      Loss of Property Value :   A significant factor in the value of the properties contained in the subdivisions represented by the signatures below is the relative serenity of the rural residential setting.   The owners understood and expected for Briargate Parkway to be extended as a four lane connection between the current Briargate Parkway termination point and future Stapleton Drive extension, joining at Vollmer Road.   The County has discussed making this a 6 lane major arterial and even potentially a high speed toll-road.   This would disrupt the serenity of the subdivisions and reduce the value of the homeowners’ major investment in their homes.   It would also be disruptive to the quality of life currently existing in these communities.   Affected residents have a reasonable expectation for appropriate notice, dialogue, and debate should these discussions take on more substance and serious consideration be given to expanding the currently planned four-lane extension of Briargate Parkway.  

2)      Loss of Property Due to Eminent Domain :   Expanding the current four-lane plan to six lanes would intrude on the residents/subdivisions, and require eminent domain to take the additional land to accommodate any expansion not already built into existing community plans.   This is wrong on two levels: imposing eminent domain for a plan not in effect when the subdivision was originally formed nor prior to purchase; plus the County is already short of funds, and this would be an additional burden on taxpayers and to the county that it cannot justify, particularly given the current and future budget straits.   There simply is no pressing need for such a facility.

3)      Environmental Concerns :   The currently planned roadway will cross Cottonwood Creek at one of the most environmentally sensitive locations.   Building a bridge for the current plan would destroy much of that very sensitive area; expanding it will create further environmental havoc in this area.   We are opposed to the currently planned route and impacts of its creation on the environment; we are adamantly opposed to further expansion.   Additionally, constructing the Briargate Parkway as part of a major east-west corridor will introduce substantially more carbon dioxide emissions into the area than currently is emitted - a hazard and a negative environmental impact to both wildlife and residents of the affected area.

Inclusion in Stapleton Road Metropolitan Tax District : The undersigned strongly reject inclusion into a Metropolitan District specifically created to produce revenue for road construction to facilitate future development.   The creation of this tax district is inextricably linked to development of Sterling Ranch and is intended to pay for a major arterial that would not be needed except for the burden of this onerous development.   It is unacceptable to be targeted to pay for infrastructure improvements to the area proposed within the Metropolitan District when those being taxed derive little to no benefit, and with results mostly viewed as negative consequences, from the improvements.   Taxes from our residents should pay for much needed increased and improved police and fire protection and more rapid medical response, not for infrastructure that benefits a development that through its presence erodes the quality of life in the community, places increased demands on existing infrastructure and resources, and causes the need for expanded infrastructure footprint.   Even if the County ultimately determines it should be built, it is a regional facility and the cost should be spread over the entire County, not just a subset of land in the immediate vicinity of the road.

Sterling Ranch Development :   We are vehemently against  the proposed development of more than 5,000 homes in Sterling Ranch with an anticipated population of greater than 15,000, as this flies in the face of the Black Forest Preservation Plan.   The area north and south of Briargate Parkway, east of Black Forest, is RR 2.5 and larger.   This includes Highland Park, Eagle Wing, Silver Ponds, Wildridge…decidedly rural, not urban.   East of Vollmer, the land is mostly zoned RR.   Because of the intended reliance on well water, this high density land use development will create additional strain on water resources in an area fighting to preserve its precious water supplies.   Any consideration for approval of progressing with this development should also consider and be consistent with existing preservation plans and for the longer term sustainability of the resources available in the area.   In the County’s quest to grow, the County should strive for a balance by preserving, rather than continuing to destroy, our RR acreage. This protects our present property owners, but also gives future El Paso County residents an attractive choice of lifestyle.  This will, eventually, build a better tax basis.  

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