Public to see Red Rock Canyon plans

The public will have its first chance Wednesday afternoon to hear what developers of Red Rock Canyon are proposing to keep as open space at the 787-acre site.

Lee Milner, director of community affairs for the Trails and Open Space Coalition, said 245 acres had been designated as open space when he saw the plan three weeks ago.

Plans for the site near U.S. Highway 24 and Ridge Road aren't expected to be discussed in depth Wednesday.

"If the presentation I saw is any indication, the development plans will be rather sketchy," Milner said.

In addition to the open space, the plans Milner saw include a four-star resort, a 244-acre golf course and homes around the golf course.

Thomas & Thomas, a local planning, urban design and landscape architecture firm, will present the plan for open space during a Trails, Open Space and Parks Committee meeting. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. at the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department.

The TOPS Committee makes recommendations on open space acquisitions to the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The board in turn advises the City Council.

Zydeco, a Santa Fe, N.M.-based developer that has agreed to buy the site from owner John Bock, has kept its plans under wraps.

In September, Zydeco withdrew an annexation request to Manitou Springs and began eyeing Colorado Springs.

Joe Fabeck, chairman of the Red Rock Canyon Committee, which wants the land, known for its red rock formations, preserved as open space, hasn't seen the developer's proposal for open space. But he said 245 acres sounds like a low number.

"I think it's more important where it is and how much they want for it," Fabeck said. "I don't know what their plans are for the rest of the land or whether the open space is accessible and open to the public."

No action

The Red Rock Canyon presentation at Wednesday's Trails, Open Space and Parks Committee meeting is listed as an information item only, with no action expected.

If you go

What the developers of Red Rock Canyon are proposing to keep as open space will be presented during a TOPS committee meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department, 1401 Recreation Way.

Also on the agenda:

Presentation and action on High Chaparral, a 73-acre site, with 23 acres proposed as open space.

Presentation and action on Blodgett Peak. A price of $2 million for 160 acres has been negotiated by the Parks and Recreation Department.

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