F. Chapter 6: Community Character and Appearance
Objectives in the Comprehensive Plan
As discussed in the Comprehensive Plan, Colorado Springs’ community character is established
by its natural setting, history, streets and design of new development. The Plan identifies six
objectives related to Community Character and Appearance, which are listed by headings as
follows.
CCA 1: Maintain a Positive Relationship between the Built Environment and the Natural Setting
CCA 2: Quality Design Streets
CCA 3: Improve the Character of Individual Areas and Elements of the City
CCA 4: Integrate Different Land Uses
CCA 5: Design of Public Spaces
CCA 6: Fit New Development into the Character of the Surrounding Area
Projects
There are numerous projects underway that support the achievement of the Objectives in
the Community Character Chapter. Several relevant projects have already been discussed in the
sections on Land Use and on Natural Environment. In the Land Use section, the Mixed Use
project (A.1) includes elements that support quality streets, design and diverse land uses in close
proximity. It also includes transition standards that will create better relationships between a new
mixed-use project and existing neighborhoods.
In the Natural Environment section, the Streamside Ordinance (E.3) is expected to encourage
higher standards for streams throughout the City, and will support stream channels as community
amenities.
1. The Colorado Tax Credit Program for certified rehabilitation promotes restoration,
rehabilitation and preservation of designated historic properties by allowing a credit to be applied
to state income taxes, based on the cost of improvements. The program is available as a
consequence of the City’s designation as a Certified Local Government. The review of properties
and issuance of tax credits is administered by the City’s Historic Preservation Board. Since 1997,
tax credits have been approved for $139,478 in construction for 11 properties. This was initiated
in 1995 after the City was designated a Certified Local Government, and it continues as an on-
going program. (CCA 3)
2. The Traditional Neighborhood Development project proposes architectural standards and
guidelines that will support a higher level of architectural character and appearance. These
standards will be applied in TND projects to residential, commercial and mixed uses. Streets are
a major element of the TND concept, and seven new street designs are proposed, some of which
are narrower than existing street specifications allow. The new zone district also requires public
spaces and integrated open space in order to shape the development around the natural
environment. (CCA1, CCA 2, CCA 3, CCA 4, CCA 5)
3. The Southwest Downtown Urban Renewal Plan and the Downtown Art on the Street
Program support the objectives in the Plan to promote downtown and support enhanced civic
design. These projects are coordinated by City Development. The Southwest Urban Renewal Plan
was approved in August 2001 and succeeded in designating 137 acres for redevelopment to a mix
of uses, including the potential for a convention center and hotel. The specific development plan
for the Urban Renewal area is expected to be completed in 2003. Confluence Park, considered a
catalyst for the Urban Renewal Plan, creates a 25-acre civic park space as a focal point for the
southwest downtown area. The properties for the park have been obtained, and preliminary
engineering completed. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2003 and continue through
June 2005. The Art on the Street program is an on-going public-private partnership to display art
throughout downtown. These projects are important in implementing the Downtown Action Plan
as well as enhancing the pedestrian experience and defining the unique image for the downtown
area. (CCA 3, CCA 4, CCA 5)
Indicators
None.