PRINT Appeal hearing on controversial Colorado Springs apartments postponed (copy)
A hearing to appeal the development of the 232-affordable unit Royal Pines Apartments in Briargate, previously scheduled to take place at Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting, is postponed.
The council on Tuesday unanimously voted to move the hearing to a special meeting at 1 p.m. Feb. 26, following the council’s morning work session.
The board approved the postponement without discussion. Councilwoman Nancy Henjum noted after the vote the meeting was moved at the request of the applicant, Portland, Ore.-based developer DBG Properties, and the appellants, a group of Pine Creek residents who have been vocally opposed to the attainable housing project since the summer.
The Colorado Springs Planning Commission approved plans in early January to build the apartments at North Powers and North Union boulevards. Opponents will now take their case to the City Council, asking that board to overturn the Planning Commission’s approval.
Housing advocates have said the Royal Pines Apartments will meet growing workforce and attainable housing needs in this area of northern Colorado Springs.
Neighbors in opposition have said they are largely concerned the development will make evacuations more dangerous in the event of an emergency such as a wildfire.
In appeal documents filed by Joseph O’Keefe, an attorney with Colorado-based Baker Law Group representing Preserve Pine Creek Village, a group of neighbors fighting the Royal Pines Apartments, he said the development planned adjacent to their neighborhood will be “detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or general welfare.”
Many neighbors have said they don’t oppose more attainable or affordable housing options in the city, but feel the Royal Pines Apartments are not compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. They are also concerned about school capacity in nearby Academy District 20 schools and additional traffic the development could create.
The proposed site of the 232-unit Royal Pines Apartments is at North Powers and North Union boulevards in Colorado Springs.
