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FACILITIES
AND SERVICES (FS)
VISION
STATEMENT
Adequate
facilities and services necessary to sustain and enhance
the health, safety and well-being of the community should
be readily available to all residents.
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
BACKGROUND
The
County does not provide most facilities and services in
the Tri-Lakes Planning Area. Facilities and services are
provided by special districts or local service providers,
such as water and sanitation districts, fire districts,
and utility companies. Generally, low to moderate growth
is more desirable for independent providers because higher
rates of growth often require rapid expansion infrastructure
which often translates to an increase in cost to consumers.
Table
FS.1 Services and Utilities in Tri-Lakes
ISSUE
FS.1 LAW ENFORCEMENT
Within the Tri-Lakes Planning Area law enforcement responsibility
is shared by the Colorado State Patrol, the El Paso County
Sheriff's Department, the towns of Monument and Palmer
Lake and, Woodmoor Public Safety. The Colorado State Patrol
routinely covers Interstate I-25 and State Highways 83,
and 105, but will respond to and keep records on all accidents
in the Planning Area.
The
County Sheriff's Department provides highly professional
service to all applicable unincorporated areas; but a
limited staff and a growing population spread over a large
territory combine to make response times a major concern,
especially in the more remote locations of the Planning
Area. Monument and Palmer Lake each maintain a police
department within their respective jurisdictions. State
statutes make it difficult for specific unincorporated
areas to provide for private policing and security services.
In spite of these restrictions, Woodmoor staffs a 24-hour
public safety department.
The
major reported law enforcement problems in the Planning
Area include traffic accidents, vandalism, and theft.
Law enforcement in the Tri-Lakes area must respond to
a combination of urban and rural needs. The El Paso County
Sheriff's Department normally assigns one patrol officer
to each shift for a patrol district which encompasses
the Tri-Lakes and Black Forest Planning Areas. Response
time may be as much as 45 minutes in more remote locations.
Preliminary discussions of ways in which to reduce response
times have pointed for the need for an additional staffed
substation.
Many
factors go into establishing an effective public safety
system. Crime prevention measures are often implemented
only after a crime has taken place. While often overlooked,
proactive methods of prevention are equally important.
For example, burglary, while not usually violent, is a
crime of opportunity where a lesser likelihood of being
noticed increases the opportunity. The physical design
of communities, neighborhoods, and individual homes plays
an important role in deterring certain types of opportunistic
crimes. Oftentimes, more exclusive high-end homes are
located in secluded areas away from the public's view,
thus providing opportunity for burglary. Neighborhood
watch groups have proven to be an effective deterrent
to opportunistic crimes including residential burglary
because they provide around-the-clock surveillance by
residents.
Many
residents are gone during the day or for extended periods
and install electronic security services to protect their
homes from burglars and vandals. These work...(ask Woodmoor
& Monument....)
The
actual design of individual structures can also be a deterrent.
Many building codes address fire and other hazards and
could be revised to include crime preventative measures
including multi-lock windows and doors, secure garage
doors, and landscape designs that do not block sight-lines
of points of entry.
GOAL
Encourage public safety at a level commensurate with
local needs and circumstances.
OBJECTIVES
FS.1.1
Consider holistic approaches to public safety that combine
community initiatives such as neighborhood watch groups
with professional policing services available in the Planning
Area.
FS.1.2
Advocate approaches that educate the public on methods
that have been proven to deter crime. Support the formation
of active neighborhood watch groups to deter crimes such
as burglary and vandalism.
FS.1.3
Encourage homeowners to use appropriate windows and locks
on new homes and replace inappropriate security devices.
PROPOSED
ACTIONS
FS
1.4 Establish a centrally-located Sheriff's Department
substation in the planning area to reduce response times.
FS
1.5 Consider and comment on aspects of public
safety and crime prevention in the review of land development
proposals.
FS
1.6 Coordinate an area-specific plan for public
safety between citizens and the County Sheriff's office.
FS
1.7 Revise the building code as necessary to require
recommended and/or approved safety features such as locks,
doors, and windows.
ISSUE
FS.2 STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION, HEALTH CARE, AND EMERGENCY
SERVICES
The
El Paso County Fire Department, coordinated through the
Sheriff's office, is responsible for responding to non-structural
fires (grass and forest fires) and dispatching emergency
medical response teams. The County does not provide structural
fire protection for the Planning Area.
Structural
fire protection is available to residents in the Tri-Lakes
area through a number of fire protection districts and/or
volunteer fire departments. There are access limitations
in certain sub-areas. One noted example occurs in sub-area
6 where Hay Creek Road is the single access into -Green
Mountain Ranch Estates. In addition to being a single
access, an on-grade railroad crossing that provides serves
from between 30 to 40 trains a day divides the subdivision
from other roads and could potentially delay or prevent
emergency equipment from accessing the area during an
emergency medical or fire situation.
Table
FS.2 Emergency Service Providers
Name
of Provider
Black Forest Fire & Rescue
Donald Wescott Fire & Rescue
Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department
Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District
Woodmoor/ Moument Fire Protection District
Services
Ambulance Structural Fire, Medical emergency (Tri-Lakes
Fire Protection District)
Service
Area
See Map of fire districts
While
there are advantages to having multiple fire protection
districts, there are also inefficiencies. Mutual aid agreements
and rapid response fire fighting capability contribute
to the health, safety of area residents, although in rural
residential areas located further from fire stations the
response times are longer. Given that less than ten percent
of all calls to fire districts in the planning area are
actually fire related and that very few of these calls
require multiple district involvement, the expense for
maintaining multiple districts is often called into question.
Approximately ninety percent of calls are medical emergencies.
The
local fire districts (Woodmoor and Tri-Lakes) are able
to respond only to emergencies within their jurisdictional
boundaries. The districts are capable of delivering advance
life support. However, if it is necessary to transport
a patient to a medical center, local fire districts will
call the Sheriff's Department dispatcher who then, depending
on the severity of the accident or medical situation,
will call a regional emergency service provider to transport
the victim.
Currently,
there are several medical clinics in the Monument and
Palmer Lakes areas that serve Tri-Lakes. Although there
are no after-hours medical clinics in the immediate planning
area there are 24-hour clinics on the north end of Colorado
Springs. If a resident suddenly becomes ill or is involved
in an accident on a weekend or after clinic hours, he
or she most likely will be transported by a medical response
provider (911) to a hospital in the City of Colorado Springs
or to a Denver trauma center. These services, although
not local to Tri-Lakes, are generally very efficient and
cost-effective.
GOAL
To ensure that adequate fire protection and emergency
services are available at levels commensurate with local
needs and circumstances.
OBJECTIVES
FS.2.1
Encourage a level of services for fire and rescue commensurate
with the rate of growth in the planning area.
FS.2.2
Encourage effective provision of on-site water supplies
(ponds, cisterns or hydrants as applicable) for fire suppression
in rural residential areas.
FS.2.3
Promote mutual aid agreements and other cooperative efforts
among fire protection districts, municipalities, and other
affected entities directed toward providing improved and/or
cost-effective fire protection services.
FS.2.4
Encourage coordination of emergency service providers
to avoid duplication of effort, equipment, administration,
and cost.
FS.2.5
Promote safety and fire prevention through ongoing public
education and awareness efforts.
FS.2.6
Support development of a regional health care facility,
with emphasis on emergency treatment.
PROPOSED
ACTIONS
FS.2.8
Fully consider all applicable fire protection and emergency
service aspects in the preparation and review of land
development proposals.
FS.2.9
Approve new residential development only if and when structural
fire protection is available.
FS.2.10
Develop a GIS mapping system, such as Wildfire Hazard
Identification and Mitigation Systems (WHIMS), to identify
fire potential for site development.
FS.2.11
Develop and implement area-wide and parcel-specific Wildfire
Mitigation Plans in zones identified as having high wildfire
potential.
ISSUE
FS.3 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Planning Area is fortunate to be served by two
highly-rated school districts: Air Academy School District-20
and Lewis-Palmer School District-38. The individual districts
are independent entities but do consult with the County
in developing their growth plans.
Lewis-Palmer
School District-38 boundaries extend from Baptist road
north to County Line Road and from the Front Range east
to approximately Meridian Road. This area includes the
municipalities of Monument and Palmer Lake and a large
portion of the unincorporated County. Current facilities
include four elementary schools that average 570 students
each, one middle school with a capacity of 900 students,
and one high school serving approximately 1200 students.
All of District-38 schools are at or near capacity. All
schools have both indoor and outdoor facilities available
to the public and athletic associations for a nominal
fee on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The
District-38 Growth Plan projects a 6% growth rate
and anticipates serving 13,000 students by the year 2020.
To meet the estimated educational needs of this population
in a manner consistent with the District's education model,
a future need for 12 elementary schools, 3 middle schools
and 3 high schools is anticipated. The District is currently
working to identify and reserve future school sites.
Air
Academy School District-20 serves the southern portion
of the planning area. Although Tri-Lakes encompasses only
a small portion of District 20's total area, the rapid
growth of sub-area 9, 10, and 11 contributes significantly
to the district's enrollment. Currently only Antelope
Trails Elementary School in Gleneagle is located in the
Planning area. The other schools that serve the Planning
Area include Pine Valley and Douglas Valley Elementary
Schools, Challenger Middle School, and Pine Creek and
Air Academy High Schools. Many District-20 schools are
magnet schools and, as such, enrollment is open to all
district students. All schools have both indoor and outdoor
facilities available to the public and athletic associations
for a nominal fee on a first-come first-serve basis. However,
due to the amount of use these facilities receive, availability
is limited.
In
the District-20 Growth Plan, there are two growth
scenarios. One plan anticipates that growth will occur
in the Northgate area while the second scenario anticipates
that future growth will occur in the Falcon area. If growth
occurs to the north, they anticipate that they will need
two additional elementary schools, a middle school, and
a high school. They have identified sites in the Northgate
Area, reserving one ten-acre site for a future elementary
school and part of a 60-acre site for a combined middle
school/high school.
Because
there are no community centers in the planning area, and
parks with playing fields are limited, school lunchrooms
and auditoriums are often used for community meetings.
The School Districts try hard to accommodate the need
for sports facilities. However, due to the amount of use
these facilities receive during the school year, availability
is limited.
The
north campus of the Pikes Peak Community College located
along SH 83 just south of the Planning Area provides opportunities
for further academic study in many areas. The college
is open to the public and offers technical certificates,
four-year degree programs, and adult education classes.
In
addition to the public schools, there are several types
of quasi-public educational facilities and services which
may have significant implications both from a service
and land use perspective. A significant need for both
preschool-daycare and before-and-after school programs
presents a challenge for both parents and the community.
The
Pikes Peak Library District operates two library branches,
one in Palmer Lake and the other in Woodmoor. These facilities
are extremely beneficial to the community, and while small,
are heavily used.
GOAL
To provide quality educational opportunities for
area residents.
OBJECTIVES
FS.3.1
Ensure that enrollment due to new development does not
overburden schools.
FS.3.2
Encourage high educational standards to meet the needs
of the Planning Area.
FS.3.3
Encourage on-going educational opportunities for area
residents.
FS.3.4
Encourage school sites to be located in areas that don't
significantly impede traffic flow.
FS.3.5
Support opportunities to site a centrally-located community
center.
FS.3.6
Support efforts to build multi-purposed facilities to
meet the growing needs of athletic associations.
FS.3.7
Support the Pikes Peak Library District's plan to enlarge
library facilities.
PROPOSED
ACTIONS
FS.3.8
Ensure the school districts are clearly made aware of
all new developments within their boundaries.
FS.3.9
Review and provide comment on future school sites
as identified in school growth plans.
ISSUE
FS.4 OTHER UTILITIES AND SERVICES
Other
necessary utilities including gas, electric, and telephone
service are potentially available to all residents in
the planning area. Refuse disposal is handled individually
through private contractors. The closest landfill is the
SH 94 Landfill located southeast of the planning area
and north of SH 94 and Blaney Road.
As
the community continues to grow, finding locations for
new facilities, such as electrical transfer stations,
become more difficult due to visual and environmental
concerns.
Other
identified community needs might fall under the category
of housing, as there is a general lack of affordable**
and special needs housing such as assisted-living for
senior citizens. One problem associated with the lack
of affordable housing is that there is the lack of an
employment base to work in commercial and service-based
businesses that are prevalent and that rely on minimum
wage employees.
GOAL
To provide and coordinate public services which promote
or enhance the quality of life in Tri-Lakes and are
commensurate with local vision and needs.
OBJECTIVES
FS.4.1
Plan for future utilities and services that will be necessary
to serve the needs of the Planning Area.
FS.4.2
Consider the location and availability of services and
utilities prior to approving development plans.
PROPOSED
ACTIONS
FS.4.3
Establish a land use plan for the planning area that identifies
possible site locations for future services and utilities
necessary to serve the Planning Area.
FS.4.4
Services and utilities should be available and/or functional
prior to development.
NOTE:
Future Maps to be included:
_____________
*
Geographic Information System: (GIS) A computer based
mapping system.
**Affordable
Housing
Housing which is priced at or below the level where it
can be purchased or rented by households with incomes
equal to the County median average. Due to changes in
the local and national economies and the housing market,
this is a dynamic definition.
Low
Income Housing
Housing that is provided to households with below average
incomes through various subsidies.
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