Parkside Historic District Rezoning Application

• Meeting: Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 5:30 to 7:30 PM at 720 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
  • Tim Scanlon will have a presentation on the Parkside HP-O district.
  • The Neighborhood Meeting will consist of all owners that are located within the Applicant’s desired district area.
  • Refreshments will be served.

Treasurer Update

• Underline renewed their sponsorship.
• Filed our periodic report for the Colorado Department of State to retain our Colorado non-profit status.

Annual Meeting

• Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the McAllister House.
• Refreshments:
  • If anyone is interested in bringing refreshments, please let Cheryle know what you want to bring.
• Advertising:
  • Limited distribution. We are planning limited distribution in residential areas, Weber, Wahsatch, and west of Cascade.

Historic Neighborhood Partnership Updates

• The State of Colorado passed a new state law regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Unless a municipality upholds their Home Rule rights, and pushes back on this new state law, that municipality needs to adjust their code and comply.
  • The Mayor of Colorado Springs directed City Staff to draft an ADU ordinance to comply with State statute. The City has accelerated the drafting and adoption of that new ADU Ordinance.
  • The Public was informed just mid-November 2024 on the details and City Council is to adopt the new code late January 2025 or early February 2025.
  • Historic Neighborhood Partnership has formally asked the City staff and City Council for more time for public and community engagement. The city answer was no, largely due to the Council elections in April 2025.
• The impact of the new ADU Ordinance is significant, it is city-wide, and impacts over 61% of the properties. Every single-family property is impacted.
• Historic Neighborhood Partnership provided recommendations and changes to City in early December 2024 and presented data and recommendations at the December 2024 Planning Commission. There were some modifications to the proposed changes. The next step is with City Council. Historic Neighborhood Partnership has identified 14 different areas that either need to be 1) changed, 2) clarified, or 3) not implemented (adopted) until further impact analysis is done. Examples of the areas include number of ADUs, size, height, location, public safety impacts, use of the ADUs, ownership, compliance with historic preservation specifics, and other key aspects.
• Bottom line: City Council decides if Colorado Springs will stand by our Home-Rule powers or choose to comply with the new state ADU law. Colorado Springs decides to comply with the new state law, they do not need to over comply. The Historic Neighborhood Partnership has specific recommendations to the City.
• Important ADU Meeting Dates:
  • January 13, 2025: City Council work session
  • January 28, 2025: City Council First Public Hearing – This is the important meeting for citizens to speak up. Multiple HNP members will be
    presenting.
  • February 11, 2025: City Council Second Public Hearing