Colorado Springs commissioners hear East Las Animas plan for up to 220 homes
The Lowell Commons proposal would allow 220 homes, buildings up to 65 feet tall and limited commercial space near downtown; the applicant described it as an affordable-housing development.
Colorado Springs Planning Commission members heard competing testimony Sept. 9 about a proposal to build up to 220 homes on 1.2 acres at 202, 251 and 252 East Las Animas Street, with concerns focused on density, building height, traffic, parking and neighborhood character.
The Lowell Commons proposal would allow residential density of up to 184 dwelling units per acre, buildings as tall as 65 feet and up to 950 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. It would change the site's existing planned-development framework, which allows 15 dwelling units per acre and buildings up to 60 feet tall, according to the Planning Commission agenda.
The related request would remove three lots from the Lowell Neighborhood Land Use Plan. The hearing record describes the project as a conceptual 220-unit development; it does not establish a final building design or construction schedule.
The applicant described Lowell Commons as an affordable-housing development that would use financing from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The applicant also said structured and on-street parking were intended to provide roughly one space per unit and that the commercial space could accommodate a small business such as a coffee shop, studio or fitness use, according to the Sept. 9 hearing record.
Supporters said the project could add housing in a walkable location near downtown services. Other speakers raised concerns about the proposed density and height, traffic, parking, sunlight and neighborhood character.
Planning staff said a traffic analysis found nearby intersections and the existing street system adequate for anticipated residential traffic. Staff recommended an updated traffic-impact study during development-plan review to address issues such as turn lanes, crosswalks and vehicle queuing.
The available hearing record ends during commissioner questioning and does not document a Planning Commission vote.