The Red Rock Canyon Master Plan goes before the Parks & Rec Advisory Board
for approval tomorrow morning at 7:30am (1401 Recreation Way). The final
plan is posted at the following site:

http://www.springsgov.com/Page.asp?NavID=4081

The plan is the same as the draft final plan (as far as I can tell) with the
exception of some changes to Parcel E (Hwy 24 frontage parcel where the
freeride area is located). The final map now has parcel E shown in a
different color than the rest of the park and it is labeled "Future
Compatible Use." I think this may be in keeping with Terry Putman's
comments at the last Master Plan meeting (5/5/4) where he stated that this
could be the future sight of a visitor center, botanical garden, community
pool, or US Forest Service office. Such development flies in the face of
what the public voiced regarding minimizing development, but I have a
feeling that the City may be trying to generate some revenue from this
parcel with commercial development. This parcel was not purchased with TOPS
funds, so it does not have to abide by the TOPS ordinance regarding use for
passive recreation/minimal development. However, such use was not discussed
until the last meeting and the map was not changed until after the meetings
(the most accessible route for public comment) were over. Thus the public
has not had a good opportunity to comment specifically on this. There were
some comments at the last meeting regarding how the Forest Service office
could be beneficial, but it may be opening a can of worms (going to extremes
here, but is a ten story office building - USFS + other leased office
space - with a large parking lot, lots of traffic, lights on at night for
security, etc really something we want to encourage and does it fit in with
what the public expressed regarding the park?). FYI, at the TOPS Working
Committee meeting on 5/26/4, the point that "future compatible use" was not
defined was brought up and the outcome of the discussion was that it will
not be defined in the Master Plan - so right now that term is wide open and
we know how City Council thinks - they may regard this as an invitation to
develop.

You may want to attend if you want to address this point (or comment on any
other aspect of the plan) or, if you can't, send an email to Chris Lieber
(CLieber@...) with your comments.

Thanks,

Jim Yount
(719) 540-1505
jyount@...