The Colorado Springs City Council unanimously approved plans this week to build new businesses and more than 1,600 new homes east of Peterson Air Force Base.
Neighbors in the Skyway area wondered what was going on in early March when heavy equipment pulled in and started digging.
Skyway resident Leigh Westin nosed around and discovered the owner of the rental house at 1202 Morning Star Drive planned to build what she viewed as an accessory dwelling unit next to the existing home, and rent them both.
Thatâs not allowed under the cityâs ADU ordinance. While designed to increase affordable housing, the ordinance, in Westinâs view, will more likely help developers create greater density in neighborhoods, undermining surrounding property values.
After Westin called attention to the matter, the city helped the owner revamp the plans as an accessory family suite, which has different rules for development.
Additional living unit in single-family zone hits a snag csindy.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from csindy.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
At-large City Councilor Tom Strand was elected as Council president on April 20 and will serve two years. File photo
In its second act as a newly formed city governing body, City Council split 5-4 on who should serve as president pro tem, with former President Richard Skorman prevailing.
The previous pro tem, Tom Strand, was elected as president on a vote of 8-1 in the new Council s first official act after three new members and three incumbents took the oath of office just hours before. Incumbent Bill Murray dissented.
Choosing Skorman were Wayne Williams, Yolanda Avila, Strand, new councilor Nancy Henjum and Skorman himself.
By RACHEL RILEY rachel.riley@gazette.com
Short-term rentals often are advertised through Airbnb or VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner) and other online sites. City officials and others estimate that the city has 1,200 to 3,000 such properties.
“We don’t know, we’re just guessing,” Council President Richard Skorman said. “We don’t know how they’re impacting neighborhoods. We don’t know how they’re impacting private property rights and businesses.”
The new ordinances will set a baseline for the burgeoning industry, said city Planning Director Peter Wysocki.
“Let’s get something in place and implemented and then, if necessary, make any changes,” Wysocki said.