Cheyenne Mountain Neighborhood Association

November, 2003 Newsletter

Oct 29, 2003

Newsletter for November, 2003


Semi-Annual Membership Meeting

Our semi-annual membership took place on October 22, 2003 and a number of neighborhood topics were discussed:

?• Street lighting on Cheyenne Mountain
?• Broadmoor Bluffs Drive subsidence (sinking) problem
?• Snow removal on Cheyenne Mountain
?• Cheyenne Mountain State Park fire dangers
?• Paramedic stationing at Fire Station 16 (Farthing Drive)
?• Decreased fire response time on Cheyenne Mountain
?• Upcoming District No. 12 school bond issues

Jerry Heimlicher, City Council Member discussed items of interest to residents as well as Dr. Harlan Else, Superintendent of District 12 Schools discussed the upcoming school bond issues.


JL Ranch Project

We are excited that the Broadmoor Bluffs Drive extension to the NORAD Road has started. Trees have been removed and grading is now taking place. We are awaiting word from NORAD when the road will be completed and permission granted for residents of Cheyenne Mountain to begin to use the road. This road will provide an alternate evacuation route from Cheyenne Mountain.

The Association participated in the development review process and requested that the no building permits be issued until the road was completed.

Also, with the start of the work on the road, the JL Ranch project is beginning as well. Expect to see activity on the JL Ranch property as grading begins.


Eckerd Drug Project

Due to the opposition from neighbors and the City Planning Department, plans for the Eckerd Drug store on Broadmoor Bluffs Drive as been cancelled. According to the Planning Department, this opposition forced the developer to rethink his plans.


Cheyenne Mountain State Park

As we watch what seems like half of California burning with wildfires, the potential for wildfires from Cheyenne Mountain State Park is continuously on our minds. Our Association has opposed, and continues to oppose, the change in policy of CO. State Parks to allow open wood burning campfires only hundreds of yards from our neighborhoods. We know embers from fire can spread up to two miles, bringing the danger of wildfire to homes throughout Cheyenne Mountain. With over 400 campers each night at the Park, the chance for wildfire on Cheyenne Mountain is substantially increased. As we see the devastation in California from wildfires we are reminded that there are over 2,000 homes and businesses on Cheyenne Mountain at a value of about $ 1 billion. Is the State?’s policy to allow open wood burning fires for RV campers worth the danger of wildfire for 5,000 residents and their homes and businesses?

In an effort to build public support for our opposition, we asked Jerry Heimlicher to introduce a resolution opposing this change in policy by the State. The Association was able to obtain a resolution from CONO (Council of Neighbors and Organizations) opposing the use of open wood burning fires.

On October 14, 2003, a resolution in the City Council to formally oppose the use of open wood burning fires was introduced. CO. State Parks, alerted to the resolution by the City Parks Department, made a formal presentation on their efforts to mitigate the fire danger. The Association attended the City Council meeting and, due to this new information being presented by CO. State Parks, was forced to ask for a postponement of the resolution. We are still awaiting a copy of this information before we can respond.

Once this new information is received we will provide you with some additional information. In the meanwhile, if you are opposed to this new policy allowing open wood burning fires, e-mail, call or write the mayor and City Council.


Street Lighting

Colorado Springs Utilities is working on revised regulations to allow residents to either install new street lights or remove existing street lights (Dark Skies Program) near their homes. As these regulations are released, we will keep our members informed.

Cheyenne Mountain Fire Mitigation Program

With the wildfires in California in the news and the reports of people dying as they try to evacuate their homes, we are reminded of the need for fire mitigation strategies for Cheyenne Mountain.

Our Association will be working this fall and winter on the first phase of our Fire Mitigation Plan. This first phase will include the development of a pilot program for fuels reduction in one neighborhood on Cheyenne Mountain as well as the development of an evacuation planning tool or document for use by all residents. Our goal is to complete our work this winter and implement both items this coming spring.

Several members have volunteered to assist the committees in implementing this program but we could always use more help. If you are interested in helping, please contact John Vasilakis at johnicholas@adelphia.net or at 538-9190. The deaths in California remind us that evacuation planning and fuels reduction are vital to saving lives.


Soaring Eagles Development Project (YWAM Residential Development)

No change from our last newsletter has taken place.


Membership

The Association is still in need of some volunteers to help with membership activities. Your time can be as minimal as your schedule allows and any help is greatly appreciated. To volunteer, contact Maureen Frediani at Kwajmaureen@yahoo.com or 579-6643

Thanks for your help.

NORAD Visitor?’s Center Project

Work continues on the new NORAD Visitor?’s Center project on the NORAD Road. Work is scheduled to be completed this winter or early spring.

In cooperation with the neighbors and in response to our request, NORAD has proposed the planting of pine trees along the fence line of the new Visitor?’s Center, as well as near the parking lot. This should help to mitigate some of the visual impact of the new facility. As well, the color of the roof material was changed from Air Force Blue to Dark Brown. This should help as well. Light baffles for the parking lot lighting is proposed and NORAD has agreed to work with the neighbors to adjust the baffles when installed.

The Association will continue to work with the neighbors and NORAD to complete the project will as little impact as possible on their homes.


Bear Activity

Cheyenne Mountain is experiencing a particularly aggressive bear season this year. One bear has already been killed at Star Ranch Camp recently. Until the bears hibernate it is important not to feed the bears in any way. Things to note:

?• Take in bird feeders
?• Do not store trash containers outside
?• Place trash containers on the street on the morning of collection
?• Do not leave pet food outdoors
?• Burn off or clean barbeque grilles after each use
?• PLEASE?… do not leave food for the bears to attract them.
?• Do not seek bears while outdoors. Please leave them alone. Your safety is at stake.

Snow Removal

At the request of the Association, Jerry Heimlicher will meet with the Public Works Department to review the snow removal policies on Cheyenne Mountain. With the completion of roads in some new developments, many of the roads have experienced increased traffic or re-routed traffic, which may elevate their status for purposes of snow removal. Two examples are Ellsworth and Paisley Drive, both formally dead end streets but now major connectors throughout the neighborhoods.


Broadmoor Bluffs Drive Subsidence Problem

At the request of several members, we contacted Jerry Heimlicher regarding the subsidence (sinking) problem on Broadmoor Bluffs Drive as you ascend Cheyenne Mountain. According to Jerry, the City and Gates Development is about $ 1 million apart on the cost of repairing the road. The developer wants to add additional asphalt and the City wants to remove the defective foundation and rebuild the entire section. The City has committed to keeping the road in good repair while the issue is resolved.


Paramedics at Fire Station 16

Jerry Heimlicher, responding to questions from members, stated that the City Council has ordered the Fire Chief never to let a fire station within the City to be left with no paramedic on duty. Since over 90% of the calls from Fire Station 16 on Farthing Drive are medical emergencies in our neighborhood, the issue of having full-time paramedics on duty is very important to us. We thank Jerry Heimlicher for his efforts.

Thanks everyone. As always, if you have any questions either call me at 538-9190 or e-mail at johnicholas@adelphia.net.