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| CHAPTER
1-B |
SECTION 1.0
SMALL AREA PLANS
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BACKGROUND
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Since the mid-seventies, the primary
focus of El Paso County’s comprehensive planning efforts has been on the
development and updating of plans for identified sub-areas of the unincorporated
County.
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These documents are collectively
known as Small-Area Plans (SAP’s) and are incorporated as elements
into the County’s Master Plan. They are further identified in Appendix
III.
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Issue 1.1 Role of Small -
Area Plans
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SAP’s have yet to be developed for
substantial areas of the County including much of the urban or urbanizing
Cooperative Planning Area, as well as the far eastern county. It is also
recognized that a number of existing SAP’s should be updated.
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Goal 1.1
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Protect and enhance the unique
and individual qualities that exist in El Paso County through identifying
and articulating SAP’s for all unincorporated and urbanizing areas within
its boundaries.
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Policy 1.1.1
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The relationship between the County-wide
Policy Plan and the SAP’s should be one of mutual support and interdependence.
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Policy 1.1.2
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The purpose of the SAP’s should
be to more specifically articulate proposed land uses and relationships
on a sub-regional scale by addressing the unique conditions and circumstances
of each defined sub-area in cooperation with the area representatives.
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Policy 1.1.3
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In the event of a possible conflict
between the County-wide Policy Plan and a Small Area element, deference
should be given to the pertinent SAP with respect to site-specific land
use compatibility. The Policy Plan controls with respect to regional land
use and infrastructure policy.
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Policy 1.1.4
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Encourage the development of SAP’s
for sub-areas of the County where plans have not yet been developed.
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Policy 1.1.5
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Specifically encourage the active
participation of affected municipalities in the development of new and
revised SAP’s.
| ISSUE 1.2 PLAN
REVIEW AND UPDATE |
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By their nature, SAP’s tend to reflect
the collective expectations of existing residents and property owners for
their particular areas of the County. By comparison, this Policy Plan is
intended to address a balance of overall regional planning issues and needs.
Therefore, the intended relationships between this Plan and the SAP’s need
to be carefully addressed in this document.
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Goal 1.2
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Encourage adherence to and implementation
of existing SAP’s along with continued development, updating and refinement
of SAP elements.
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Policy 1.2.1
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During their development and review,
new and updated SAP’s and other specific elements of the El Paso County
Master Plan should be reviewed for consistency with this County-wide Policy
Plan.
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Policy 1.2.2
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The process of preparing new and
updated SAP’s should involve input from a cross-section of potentially
affected residents and property owners, including the owners of currently
undeveloped land.
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Policy 1.2.3
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Periodically review existing Small
Area Plans to keep them current and prioritize the schedule for preparing
new elements and updates..
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Several factors combine to make
effective communication with respect to SAP’s a challenge. Of particular
concern is the question of how best to facilitate continuing citizen and
community input after the SAP’s have been prepared and adopted.
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Goal 1.3
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Maximize the value of the Small-Area
Planning process through effective communication.
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Policy 1.3.1
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Promote public understanding and
use of the SAP’s through informational brochures, maps and other public
outreach communication techniques.
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Policy 1.3.2
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Ensure that effective communication
regarding ongoing land development proposals is maintained between the
Planning Division staff and representatives of the planning areas after
SAP’s are completed.
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