Concerns over proximity to Schriever Space Force Base drove a 5-3 decision Thursday by the El Paso County Planning Commission not to recommend a mixed-use development that could bring as many as 5,000 homes to the plains north of the base. 

“If we don’t want to have these bases, then keep encroaching,” said Planning Commission member Jeffrey Markewich, who was a strong “no” when it came to the proposed Flying Horse East development. 

The development would border the base, with a zone along the boundary set aside for mixed, non-residential use. 

Base leaders attended the presentation, including Col. David Berríos, the Deputy Commander of Space Base Delta 41, a new Space Force unit at Schriever. 

While Berríos said he could not offer opinions on development projects, he did say Schriever missions were “sensitive to outside factors.”

He said the base’s rural location was strategically placed for satellite tracking and low electromagnetic interference. 

“It is our duty to ensure the long-term viability of these critical mission sets,” he said. 

He said a use study specific to Schriever was in the works to provide more  information to adjacent municipalities on what developments might be compatible.

The study could be years out from publication, however. Berríos said funding for the study was being explored this year, and an “aggressive” timeline would be two years. 

“This will take us some time to complete,” he said. 

He said the mission of the base could have different requirements for adjacent areas in coming years based on technological changes. 

The sketch plan for the 1,800-acre development came to the county two days after Colorado Springs voters shot down a similar development a few miles to the south. Initially approved by City Council, Karman Line would have annexed nearly 2,000 acres into the city for 6,500 homes and a business district. 

Before the vote, the commander of Schriever sent a letter to local leaders with a similar message on the risks of development near bases while emphasizing neutrality on specific development projects. Col. Kenneth Klock leads Space Base Delta 1 and oversees seven Space Force bases, including Schriever and Peterson Space Force Bases and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station. 

In the letter, Klock said development could risk “horizon and physical obstruction, ambient noise, and vibration.” 

He also spoke to the history of the base and the needs of service members, including child care and affordable housing. 

A representative of Flying Horse East said the project’s mixed use zone could be flexible enough to meet Schriever’s needs. 

“Our hope is by designating it as mixed use, it gives us the opportunity to work with them to find something that’s feasible and practical in that area,” said Blaine Perkins, a planning and landscape architecture lead with HR Green Inc. 

Similar to Karman Line, Flying Horse East initially entered discussions with Colorado Springs for annexation. Perkins said it was an “internal decision” to bring the development to the county instead. 

Flying Horse East would seek water access from the Cherokee Metropolitan District, according to Perkins. 

The sketch plan will next go the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners for approval, carrying the Planning Commission’s negative recommendation. A date for the meeting has not yet been set. 

Karman Line questions: Schriever commander outlines risks, needs ahead of annexation vote