Banning Lewis Ranch (Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo: house, neighborhoods, to buy)

[CSNative]

Banning Lewis Ranch is bad news for Colorado Springs. Aside from the fact that there is a ton of land ripe for development closer into town, and plenty of opportunity to actually develop downtown into a real downtown, there's also the little matter of the city budget. Here's what happens with developments like banning lewis. People come here from California or Texas to escape high taxes. They move into these new sprawling developments and demand exceptional services from the city... but they absolutely refuse to pay for a tax increase. A tax increase we wouldn't need if they had stayed where they were before.

I want Colorado Springs to grow... but it should be smart growth. Not sprawl that is taxing on the environment and on the city's limited resources.

[Postal]

All Right! Sign me up! When do we start burning crosses on their lawns because they aren't from here?????

[froggin4colorado]

That so fits your name postal...good one.

[Terri722]

Originally Posted by CSNative

Banning Lewis Ranch is bad news for Colorado Springs. Aside from the fact that there is a ton of land ripe for development closer into town, and plenty of opportunity to actually develop downtown into a real downtown, there's also the little matter of the city budget. Here's what happens with developments like banning lewis. People come here from California or Texas to escape high taxes. They move into these new sprawling developments and demand exceptional services from the city... but they absolutely refuse to pay for a tax increase. A tax increase we wouldn't need if they had stayed where they were before.

I want Colorado Springs to grow... but it should be smart growth. Not sprawl that is taxing on the environment and on the city's limited resources.

I am coming from Texas and hate these sort of developments also...
I am not looking to live in a sprawling area...or receive services
beyond what any other resident is alloted...and actually I am looking
for a secluded area...as for people moving in and *refusing* to pay
for a tax increase...I'm not sure how you figure that just because
someone comes from another state that they can choose or not
choose to pay taxes!! Are you assuming that "only" out of towners
will be buying homes in this new development? I'm sure that will not
be the case...

[CSNative]

Not chose whether to pay taxes... chose to increase taxes. We are terribly under-taxed for our size and it's putting a major strain on infrastructure and making it difficult to attract jobs... I mean, unless you want to work at WalMart. This city just can't compete when it comes to incentives.

It's unfair for me to place all of the blame on transplants, but lets face it, the place has grown a lot in the last 2 decades, and most of those people came from somewhere else.

[Josseppie]

Bannen lewis is not a good ides, one its to far east (people want to live as close as possible to the interstate) and two they have no water and to bring in water the city will have to spend 1.5 billion dollars and its neighbors Pueblo and Canon City are not sure how that will affect them.

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by CSNative

Not chose whether to pay taxes... chose to increase taxes. We are terribly under-taxed for our size and it's putting a major strain on infrastructure and making it difficult to attract jobs... I mean, unless you want to work at WalMart. This city just can't compete when it comes to incentives.

It's unfair for me to place all of the blame on transplants, but lets face it, the place has grown a lot in the last 2 decades, and most of those people came from somewhere else.

Colorado Springs cant seem to keep primary employers, part of it lack of trying to attract or keep them part of it is lack of infrastructure for major industries.

Personally I think you guys are a great military city but will never be a business or even shopping hub for the region. Pueblo has to much infrastructure so its almost impossible for you guys to effectively compete.

[Mike from back east]

From today's Gazette: http://www.gazette.com/articles/plan...utilities.html

The gist of the article is about a recently revised plan between B-L Ranch and the city to have B-L Ranch pay to improve existing sewage treat plants, rather than having B-L Ranch pay the full tab for a wholly new treatment plant.

Other Excerpts:
- Original projections for the ranch anticipated 1,500 to 3,000 homes by 2012, but so far, only 73 families live there. Developers don't expect to come anywhere near that projection, said John Cassiani, a Banning Lewis vice president.

- The long-term prediction of development has dropped from 70,000 homes to 60,000 homes, decades from now, Cassiani said.

With only 73 families in there now, I'm surprised they're still moving forward at all. That huge piece of land has been an albatross for many owners, including some Saudi Arabian interests.

[reginhild]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

From today's Gazette: Plan cuts new sewage plant | plant, new, utilities - Top Stories - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

The gist of the article is about a recently revised plan between B-L Ranch and the city to have B-L Ranch pay to improve existing sewage treat plants, rather than having B-L Ranch pay the full tab for a wholly new treatment plant.

Other Excerpts:
- Original projections for the ranch anticipated 1,500 to 3,000 homes by 2012, but so far, only 73 families live there. Developers don't expect to come anywhere near that projection, said John Cassiani, a Banning Lewis vice president.

- The long-term prediction of development has dropped from 70,000 homes to 60,000 homes, decades from now, Cassiani said.

With only 73 families in there now, I'm surprised they're still moving forward at all. That huge piece of land has been an albatross for many owners, including some Saudi Arabian interests.

John Laing Homes just announced they have closed down their offices in the Springs and are not taking any new contracts for construction.

They were one of the builders for Banning Lewis Ranch, Wolf Ranch, Gold Hill Mesa, and a few other areas.

Sad to have the economic times cause them to cut back - they are one of the top rated builders for a national builder. Their record and awards far outstrip other national builders such as Classic Homes, Richmond Homes, and others.

[toyce]

what is the altitude at CS?