One VeLa Skyscraper Development
Downtown Review Board Hearing
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 9:00AM, Item 8B
2880 International Circle, 2nd Floor, Hearing Room
By Phone: Dial 1-720-617-3426, enter Conference ID: 906 373 4#
Downtown Review Board Hearing - We were told that they can administratively approve this which we find shocking. When we called this out publicly, and it was walked back. It's unclear, but to "have standing" to object so it is heard at City Council before elected representatives who are supposed to represent us, we believe you must at least send an email. Ideally, it would be great to show up or call in remotely and make a 3 minute comment at the Downtown Review Board Meeting. All meetings are open to the public. Those who wish to participate may do so in person or by phone. By Phone: Dial 1-720-617-3426, enter Conf ID: 906 373 4# and wait to be admitted. If you would like to comment on an agenda item, please contact the case planner, Ryan Tefertiller, Ryan.Tefertiller@coloradosprings.gov for the item 8B. If you are unable to contact them, there will still be an opportunity to speak during the meeting. Attendees participating by phone will be muted upon entry to the meeting. Please wait to be called on before speaking. Once an item has been heard, the Chair will open the public portion of the hearing for comments. There is a three (3) minute time limit for each person. Phone attendees must press *6 to un-mute.
Integrity Matters has filed a lawsuit against the approval of the One VeLa Urban Renewal Authority (URA). You can read the complaint here. All their work is pro bono; however, there are hard costs to these lawsuits like the cost of the certified record. Please donate now so we can challenge this abuse of the Blight Law to fund development on the backs of taxpayers. You can donate here.
Download the One VeLa presentation documents here or view the main presentation on Integrity Matters One VeLa Development page. Please take the time to send your own or copy/paste the sample email below which takes seconds to send. It's important to copy the press (they want to hear from you) and Integrity Matters for transparency.
SAMPLE EMAIL
To: Ryan.Tefertiller@coloradosprings.gov, allcouncil@coloradosprings.gov
CC: integritymatterscos@gmail.com, chelsea.brentzel@krdo.com, breeanna.jent@gazette.com, brennen.kauffman@gazette.com, talkshow@aol.com, news@kktv.com, news@krcc.org, achalfin@krcc.org, news@koaa.com, news@cpr.org, news@krdo.com, news@fox21news.com, lwatson@kktv.com, kktv-news@graymedia.com, newsroom@coloradosun.com, newsroom@denverpost.com
Subject: Vote NO on the One VeLa Development & Allow Public Input
Dear Mr. Tefertiller and Members of the Colorado Springs City Council,
I am writing to formally object to the One VeLa development and to urge the Downtown Review Board and City Council to vote NO on this project. The City’s refusal to allow public discussion regarding the impacts of high-rise developments, despite a petition signed by 6,745 citizens demonstrates a failure to represent the will of the people.
Key Concerns
- Public Voice Ignored: The City Council’s refusal to allow a public discussion or vote on reasonable building height restrictions contradicts democratic principles. The voices of thousands of residents have been ignored, despite widespread opposition.
- Environmental and Infrastructure Impacts: High-rise developments near the mountains trap pollution, increase traffic congestion, and contribute to the urban heat island effect, worsening air quality in an already ozone-polluted city.
- Gentrification and Loss of Historic Character: The One VeLa development will displace affordable housing, drive up costs, and push out long-time residentsSkyscrapers of this scale will erode the historic and cultural character of Colorado Springs.
- Conflicts of Interest and Lack of Ethical Oversight: The campaign contributions from the developer to City Council members raises ethical concerns and undermines public trust Specifically:
- Councilmember Lynette Crow-Iverson: $10,000
- Councilmember Brian Risley: $10,000
- Councilmember Dave Leinweber: $10,000
- Councilmember Nancy Henjum: $2,000
- Councilmember Mike O'Malley: $2,000
This totals $34,000 of financial influence from the O’Neil Group represented on the dais. According to City Code:
1.3.114: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY: An appearance of impropriety is created when a covered person will or may take a direct official action that, although not constituting a conflict of interest, will or may create a reasonable perception that the covered person's ability to carry out his or her official duties with integrity, impartiality and competency is impaired, even the "appearance of a conflict of interest" requires recusal.
Therefore, Councilmembers Risley, Leinweber, Lynette Crow-Iverson, Henjum and O'Malley should recuse themselves from voting on the One VeLa development to ensure public trust and uphold ethical standards.
Request for Due Process and Public Hearing
I ask that the Downtown Review Board and City Council vote NO on the One VeLa development and provide a formal public hearing before the ELECTED Representatives of City Council. The people of Colorado Springs deserve transparency and an opportunity to voice their concerns before such a transformative decision is made.
I urge the Downtown Review Board and City Council to:
- Vote NO on the One VeLa development.
- Pause all approvals related to this and any skyscraper development until comprehensive public input has been gathered.
- Commit to a ballot measure allowing residents to vote on future building height limits.
The citizens of Colorado Springs deserve a say in shaping the future of our city. I look forward to your response and to a commitment to transparency and public engagement.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]