The Ridge at Fox Run

Recreation District Hearing

Residents balk at Recreation Dis

The following is an article from the February 24, 2000 issue of the Colorado Springs Gazette

764 landowners balk at funding recreation district

By Pam Zubeck/The Gazette

A plan to impose a tax to build $17 million worth of trails, parks, a health club and other recreational projects in northern El Paso County isn't going over with some people.

Nearly 800 landowners have petitioned the El Paso County commission to be excluded from the proposed Tri-Lakes Parks and Recreation District. In all, there are more than 13,000 properties in the area, roughly bordered by Pike National Forest on the west, Vollmer Road on the east, County Line Road on the north and North Gate Road and Hogden Road on the south.

Those petitions, and the recreation plan, will be considered by the commission today. If approved, the plan would go to a district court judge, who would determine whether to place the issue on a May 2 special election ballot. The judge also could adjust the boundaries.

The plan calls for a property tax of four mills, or up to $36 for every $100,000 in property value for as long as 25 years. The money would finance trails and other projects around five lakes; pay for open space; and build a health club in Monument with a swimming pool, racquetball courts, gymnasium and weight-lifting equipment.

Supporters say recreation hasn't kept pace with growth in the north end of the county, where the population has doubled to 25,000 in the past 25 years.

But owners of 764 properties have asked to be removed from the district. Although 569 gave no reason on their petitions, others cite opposition to higher taxes, lack of a need for recreation and a distaste for more government.

Among those is Jesse Gatlin, a retiree living in Pleasant View Estates just east of Gleneagle.

"It will be a tax burden," he said, adding he wouldn't use the proposed health club because it would be too far sway.

Carl Schueler, the county's assistant planning director, said his department will recommend allowing one development west of Interstate 25 to opt out because there are no houses there now.

But others should be included, he said. "It doesn't make any sense to exclude one lot and have the next 10 lots (nearby) in the district," Schueler said. Although some residents argue they won't use the facilities, a future owner may, he said.

"Generally our recommendation is not to support piecemeal exclusions because there's a basic equity issue," Schueler said. "It ought to be taken forward to a vote of the people."

The district isn't a new idea. In 1993, a similar proposal died on a 2-2 commission vote when the late Commissioner Jim Campbell was unable to vote because of a stroke. Last May, voters in the Donala Water and Sanitation District vetoed a proposal for the district to provide recreation for 2,000 acres in the Gleneagle area.