City Council approves massive Amara annexation

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Colorado Springs City Council voted to move forward with a major development that will add almost 10,000 new homes to the city.

One of the Pikes Peak Region’s largest real estate development companies, La Plata Communities, asked the city to annex more than three thousand acres of land. The land is surrounded on three sides by the City of Fountain and does not share a boundary with Colorado Springs.

“The new apartment complexes are outrageously priced and there still aren’t enough rentals or homes for families and individuals. Those that are available are unaffordable to many,” said a 26-year-old woman who spoke during the City Council meeting in favor of the annexation.

Part of the impact of the project will offer affordable housing, a major concern for many young people living in Colorado Springs. Local developers with La Plata Communities say Colorado Springs is growing, which is why they proposed building a master-planned community called Amara.

“I am very much in support of this as a military spouse and resilience expert with the Department of Defense. I understand one of the big issues is our housing crisis for our military members,” said attendee Kristin Christy, who spoke to FOX21 News.

However, the company needed the City of Colorado Springs to annex thousands of acres of land for the development.

“Our salaries here in Colorado Springs are lower than the state of Colorado and lower than the U.S. average. But our housing costs are higher than the national average as well. So, we need to balance that out,” added Christy.

La Plata Communities said the new development would also create more than 3,300 jobs, increase the population by more than 24,000 people, and add 2 million square feet in commercial development. However, a major concern is water supply.

“We had a great water year, but if we were to have a three- or four-year drought, it could be a different story,” said City Council member David Leinweber.

Colorado Springs Utilities said there is enough water supply to meet the demand, but it would delay other projects and take years to build the infrastructure needed.

“We would have to design and construct approximately eight miles of electric transmission lines from our existing electric transmission circuits located east of the property, as well as design and construct two new utility substations on the property. Those are all utilities capital expenses from a natural gas perspective. Again, like electric, we did express a willingness to negotiate with Black Hills,” said a spokesperson from Colorado Springs Utilities.

Those in favor of the annexation and development believe it would provide a source of cheaper housing for young people.

“Some are saying that Amara development isn’t needed within the city, but my firsthand experience says that’s far from the case,” said the 26-year-old while pleading her case to the councilmembers.

Even though City Council moved forward with the annexation, developers still have to present a detailed plan and go through a review process.

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