Place this issue on the ballot

In reference to Breanna Jent’s article in Saturday’s Gazette, “The Sky’s The Limit” concerning the debate over establishing a height limit for Colorado Springs buildings, this was a well written article that showed all sides of the debate while remaining objective. I am firmly in the camp of establishing such a limit via the ballot process. Contrary to what some of the city officials and city planners say, this is not a complex issue. Politicians and bureaucrats conveniently say that when they want to steer an issue away from voters and into the administrative process.

The issue is simple: do we want to establish a 250-foot limit on buildings in the city, specifically in the downtown? We have an example of what that would look like since we already have the 247-foot, 16-story Wells Fargo Building. Voters can easily go downtown and look at that building for perspective. When we visualize what a 350-to-400-foot building would look like in comparison (as the article states, “42% to 62% higher”), we can begin to see how such a building would stand out like a sore thumb and block views of Pikes Peak and the foothills.

I support Dave Donelson’s efforts to place this issue on the November ballot and urge my fellow citizens to do two things: 1. Go to change.org/saveourskies and sign the petition and 2. Contact your Council member and tell him/her to ally with Councilman Donelson on this effort. I truly believe if this issue is placed before the voters, then they will vote for the 250-foot limit.

David Geuting

Colorado Springs

Decisions on building heights

The headline on Saturday, May 4 reads “The Sky’s the Limit” referring to the debate over whether the city should limit building heights throughout the downtown corridor. The discussion has also raised the question: will residents have the power to determine the answer – and should they have the authority to do so?

This discussion was brought forth with a proposal to build a 36-story, 497-unit apartment tower in downtown. The discussions are not only about this building, but also about “city planners, elected officials and residents deliberating whether taller, mightier, more towering buildings could be possible in Colorado Springs’ future.”

Councilman Dave Donelson stated “I honestly believe most citizens think we have a building height (limit) downtown … and when they find out we don’t, they think we should.” You are absolutely right, Dave. Without a height limit, we will eventually look like Denver!

I don’t want to look like Denver. We have a beautiful view: Pikes Peak. Denver doesn’t have a view other than tall building monstrosities. If you like tall buildings, move to Denver!!

Now, do the residents have the power to determine the height limits and do they have the authority to do so? I believe the answer is yes, absolutely. I don’t believe the city planners should make those decisions. They tend to let developers make the decisions for them. The elected officials tend to forget that we residents are their employers….they work for us.

If they lose sight of that, we will remind them at the next election.

Billie Nigro

Colorado Springs

Airport covered parking

I was pleased to read the Gazette article about planned upgrades to the Colorado Springs airport. As one of the top 50 largest cities in the U.S. expanding and updating our airport is not only essential for the convenience of our residents and visitors but also for maintaining the image of a top 50 city.

However, one upgrade that wasn’t mentioned in the plan was covered parking. For a city that has rain, hail, sleet and snow, offering covered parking as an option would be a benefit that many residents and visitors would use even if it cost a little extra. Many smaller cities with less severe weather and less air traffic offer covered parking. Colorado Springs needs to include this option in its plan.

Ken Thompson

Colorado Springs

High-rise living in the Springs

Regarding the proposed high rise apartment building in downtown Colorado Springs:

A quote from the headline story in the Sunday May 5, edition: “The apartment tower would help attract young professionals who’ve grown accustomed to high-rise living in other metro areas and who expect to find the same opportunities in Colorado Springs, they say.”

“I only want to live in Colorado Springs if I can live in a high rise,” said no one ever.

Susan Broz

Colorado Springs

Those making the laws

How in the world can the Colorado legislature legally steal TABOR funds in an effort to support Marxist redistribution of wealth? I am not a lawyer, but my simple understanding of the TABOR amendment is pretty simple: funds above and beyond the amendment limitations must be returned to taxpayers.

This does not mean what happened last year, “equitable” equal dollar refunds, but means whoever earned and paid tax above the limitation should be refunded in proportion to what they paid. Now the leftist, Californicated legislature thinks they can make off with even MORE funds, upwards of a billion dollars! This appears to be patently unconstitutional, and I look forward to seeing someone in the legislature opening their eyes and acknowledging this, or someone challenging this in court.

You’d think those making the laws would understand they need to obey the laws, for crying out loud!

John Bender

Monument