May 29, 2020 – El Paso County’s Planning and Community Development Department is in the heart of the development process for the County Master Plan, and the public has another opportunity to provide feedback on the Plan, starting next week.

This next round of public participation will involve reviewing and providing input on the following topics:

  • “Placetypes”: Placetypes characterize specific areas of El Paso County based on their defining character, scale, form, and function instead of identifying individual land uses for every parcel.
  • “Key Areas”: Key Areas have their own unique characteristics and identity, and are generally localized into smaller geographic areas that are firmly established with the County, or have a distinct characteristic that distinguishes them from other areas.
  • “Areas of Change”: Areas of Change set the stage for important development and character changes throughout the County, by establishing locations of prominence that should be protected for their historical significance or primed for their development potential.

El Paso County Planning and Community Development intended to host public meetings and feedback sessions in-person in April, but due to COVID-19, that is no longer an option, so this public review process will be conducted virtually.

The Master Plan consultant, Houseal Lavigne Associates, is creating video presentations for each of the three topics listed above (Placetypes, Key Areas and Areas of Change), which they will release throughout the month of June with accompanying feedback activities for the public to take part in. The county would greatly appreciate as much input from residents and businesses as possible. Here’s how the public can participate:

Please visit the County Master Plan website (ElPaso.HLPlanning.com) on the following dates. Videos, accompanying materials and instructions will be posted on the given dates and will be available to the public for two weeks from the date of release.

  • June 1, 2020: Review and Provide Feedback on “Placetypes”
  • June 15, 2020: Review and Provide Feedback on “Key Areas”
  • June 29, 2020: Review and Provide Feedback on “Areas of Change”

El Paso County Planning and Development looks forward to hearing residents’ thoughts as they continue to develop this comprehensive and impactful County Master Plan.