Subdivision and zoning update, RetoolCOS, to share the revised drafts March 24
The public is invited to learn about RetoolCOS, the City’s process for updating Chapter 7, the current Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance, and the Modules 1 & 2 draft focusing on Zoning Districts, Permitting Uses, and Development and Design Standards, at a digital public meeting Wednesday, March 24. The City’s Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance, which guides how property owners can use their land, is being updated to provide the tools to carry out the vision and goals of development within in the City, based on PlanCOS, the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan.
What: RetoolCOS, an update to the City’s Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance
Module 1: Zoning Districts & Permitted Uses
Module 2: Development and Design Standards
When: Wednesday, March 24, 5:30 – 6:30p
Where: Digital Public Meeting on WebEx
On November 17, 2020, a digital public open house was held to discuss the Module 2 draft of RetoolCOS. The draft did not reflect staff’s intent regarding existing residential development. The intent of this meeting is to reintroduce the RetoolCOS project and will provide the public an opportunity to discuss the revised Modules 1 & 2. The Modules have been updated to reflect the project goals, and encompass the proposed changes to zoning districts and their permitted uses (Module 1) and development and design standards (Module 2).
Zoning districts and their uses include what use types are appropriate for properties, such as residential, commercial, or industrial. Development and design standards include landscape and parking requirements, architectural standards, dimensional standards such as building setbacks and lot size, and subdivision regulations including block length. This draft includes the first and second of three draft “Modules” of the proposed Unified Development Code (UDC), which is intended to replace Chapter 7 of City Code – the City’s current Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance.
The public will learn from City Staff and the RetoolCOS consultant team about changes to the current zoning and subdivision regulations. Throughout the draft of Module 2, the proposed changes have been intended to improve the quality of development, provide a more efficient land development process, and meet the goals and objectives of PlanCOS.
City staff and the project team will share the overall goals of the project, basic land use and zoning issues and processes, types of changes that may be made to the Zoning and Subdivision Code, and provide input on the City’s current regulations as they pertain to the implementation of PlanCOS.
RetoolCOS and PlanCOS background
PlanCOS, the City’s guide for the future physical development of Colorado Springs over the next 20 years, was adopted by City Council in January 2019. Focused around six themes: vibrant neighborhoods, unique places, thriving economy, strong connections, renowned culture and majestic landscapes; PlanCOS establishes the City’s land-use vision and directs how the City will accommodate future growth and change while building upon the strengths of existing communities.
The City’s subdivision and zoning code must be updated to carry out the technical provisions for implementing the vision of PlanCOS. RetoolCOS will update the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance, Chapter 7 of City Code, which has not been comprehensively updated since the late 1990s, with the goal of establishing a new, modern and more user-friendly Unified Development Code (UDC).
For more information about RetoolCOS visit: ColoradoSprings.gov/RetoolCOS