Palmer Lake officials decide, again, that Buc-ee’s land is eligible for annexation

The fight continues over a proposed Buc-ee s along Interstate near Palmer Lake as town agents last week voted - to approve the site s eligibility for annexation during a special meeting The decision by the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees moves forward the controversial growth that has faced opposition from certain residents and local group groups who worry about increased traffic strained infrastructure impacts on the town s water supply and other problems I am here tonight to make it clear to the trustees the conservation of this open space is very critical for the Malone Family Land Preservation Foundation reported Caitlin Quander an attorney representing the Malone Family Land Preservation which is against the annexation An image of the proposed site A proposal to build the state s second Buc-ee s along I- near Palmer Lake south of Denver in El Paso County has raised concerns among residents who worry about the impact the convenience store and gas station chain will have in the surrounding area Image from Palmer Lake masses records Quander stated the foundation has concerns about the impact of open space the conservation easement wildlife traffic citizens safety water and preservation of dark skies To date residents and private funds to preserve the Valley have exceeded million and the foundation is prepared to do what is necessary to protect it on the behalf of future generations she disclosed The town hall was packed with a scant attendees holding signs opposing Buc-ee s Outside residents against the annexation gathered to watch the meeting via a live feed though the audio would cut in and out at times Throughout the three-hour meeting cheers and applause could be heard whenever neighborhood members took the podium The proposed annexation does not feel like enhancement It just feels wrong explained resident Chase Olivier at the meeting What we ve seen is not representation it s rejection of populace input rejection of the trust we place in you guys and voting against the people is not just bad leadership it s a betrayal of our democracy You are elected to serve us not to serve your own special interests The meeting comes after an initial application by Buc-ee s last year a withdrawal in March and a revised proposal submitted last month Thursday s decision to move forward doesn t approve the advancement or annex the property to the town at this time but it does reopen the opportunity for the land to be annexed for a Buc-ee s The vacant site proposed for the Buc-ee s is owned by Monument Ridge West LLC and part of the land was acquired in for according to El Paso County property records It s a pretty complex consideration on this eligibility for annexation noted Palmer Lake trustee Atis Jurka who voted no on Thursday night Mayor Glant Havenar and trustees Dennis Stern Shana Ball Tim Caves Kevin Dreher and Amy Hutson all voted yes The matter will now go before the Planning Commission on June where members will review the proposed zoning and consider an annexation agreement If a mutually acceptable agreement is reached a formal annexation hearing could be scheduled any time after that Related Articles New Buc-ee s location on hold for now after annexation request withdrawn Buc-ee s proposal for second Colorado store near Palmer Lake sparks locality pushback lawsuit Colorado could get its second Buc-ee s after Palmer Lake OKs first procedures to annex land despite locals opposition Texas-based Buc-ee s considers second store along I- in Colorado Colorado s first Buc-ee s opens its doors with Texas brisket beaver nuggets and super-clean restrooms Growing citizens concern over the annexation has even led the public to propose alternative ideas for the site and start a recall effort against trustees Ball Dreher and Stern The effort which is presently underway is based on several claims the trustees have committed including violating citizens rights illegal annexation eligibility for Buc-ee s ignoring citizen petitions and destroying economic prospective At least signatures per trustee are required for the recall petitions which were submitted to the town clerk on May Each petition had over signatures The protest period for the petition runs through Thursday according to town records Get more business news by signing up for our On The Block newsletter