Taken from the TOPS Policies and Procedures Manual
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
Open Space Evaluation Questions:
Requests for acquisition shall be reviewed by Staff. The proposed land acquisition shall be evaluated using the Open Space Property Profile/Preliminary Evaluation form, utilizing any and all resources available. Additional questions or issues may be considered during the evaluation process if determined appropriate by Staff.
I. Primary Criteria:
Wildlife habitat/corridor:
a) Are there any endangered species known to exist? Any threatened species?
b) Is there a wide diversity of wildlife present?
c) Is the land of sufficient size to provide stand-alone habitat to support the known species?
d) Does the land provide a critical corridor for movement of wildlife from one habitat to another?
e) Is the land an important or critical element within a regional habitat?
f) Will development of the site negatively impact wildlife?
Ecosystem preservation; species diversity:
a) Does the land contain a unique or rare ecosystem?
b) What types of ecosystem(s) are present?
c) What is the size of the unique or rare ecosystem contained on this land?
d) Does this land, when considered with any adjacent conservation land, have the size and resources necessary to sustain the ecosystem?
e) What flora or fauna is within the ecosystem?
f) Is the ecosystem free from detrimental factors such as insect, disease, and/or weed problems?
Water Resources: natural drainages, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands)
a) Does the land contain unique water resources?
b) Does the land provide a variety of water resource habitats?
c) Is the site reasonably free of possible off-site impacts such as downstream flooding, mud slides, debris flows?
d) Do the water resources found on this site have high quality water and habitat? Free from contaminants?
e) Is the site free from adjacent development impacts such as drainage or detention pond requirements?
Riparian corridor:
a) Does the waterway contain water year-round?
b) Does the vegetation in the corridor consist of native species? Broad diversity?
c) Will the land protect a sufficient amount of riparian area to positively impact the areas not protected?
d) Does the corridor contain significant or indicator plant and animal species?
e) Will the corridor support multiple purposes such as storm water management, greenway, wildlife, etc...
f) To what extent will development of adjacent property affect the corridor?
Significant vegetation:
a) Does the land contain unique or rare vegetation?
b) Does the land exhibit one or more vegetation community? Broad diversity?
c) Does the land contain healthy vegetation, free from insect problems, noxious weeds, and diseases?
d) Is the natural vegetation free from disturbance such as grading, propagation of non-indigenous species, or over grazing?
Significant geological formations or unique landforms:
a) How visible are the formations from adjacent areas or roads?
b) Are the formations those that make Colorado Springs, El Paso County, or adjacent counties unique along the Front Range?
c) Would the formations or landforms create public safety concerns if public access is provided?
d) Can the geological features be managed to prevent endangering the resource if public access is provided?
e) Does the land form rate highly on the Visual Significance Inventory identified in the Colorado Springs Open Space Plan?
Scenic Quality: views to and from, relative visibility, visual significance)
a) Is the land visible from a major arterial? A local collector? A rural road?
b) Does the land provide wide vistas, such as to the mountains, grasslands, to a major bluff or overlooking the city and other lands?
c) Does the land rate highly on the Visual Significance Inventory?
d) Is the land, and adjacent land, free from visual distractions or intrusions such as utility sites, future easement, power lines, mining scars, unsightly development, etc.?
Open space linkages and trail connections:
a) Is the linkage significant to provide access to trails, parks, or open space?
b) Is the trail identified as an important link in the Colorado Springs Trails Master Plan or other agency trail master plans?
c) Will the linkage provide access to a significant number of residents?
d) Is the linkage in danger of being lost if not pursued?
e) Is it reasonably feasible to acquire the linkage or trail through the development process?
f) Is the land suitable for trail construction? Suitable grades?
g) Does the land adjacent to the open space or trail connection effect the proposed recreational experience in a positive manner? Free from public safety concerns? Aesthetically pleasing?
h) Will the linkage or connection serve more than one purpose such as wildlife corridor, view corridor, transportation, recreation?
Passive recreational opportunities:
a) Is there an opportunity for multiple uses? (L e. trails, picnic tables, educational, fishing wildlife viewing, etc.)
b) Does the land provide a recreational opportunity unique to Colorado Springs, El Paso County or adjacent county? (i.e., a lake for fishing wading, bird watching photography, etc.)
c) Is the land easily accessible to a large population?
d) Is the land topographically suitable for development of passive recreation facilities while providing a variety of nature experiences?
e) Will preservation of the resources on the site necessitate seasonal closures, or restrictive use areas?
Cultural, historic, archeological, or paleontological resources:
a) Are there any sites on the land recognized by the Colorado Springs Historic Preservation Board, the Colorado Historical Society, or the State Archeologist?
b) Is the site of local significance? Or regional significance? Of national significance?
c) If the site contains a structure, is restoration easily accomplished? Are long term maintenance and upkeep costs relatively low?
d) What, if any special management considerations will be required to protect the resource?
II. Supplemental Criteria:
Land adjacent to park or public open space lands:
a) Are the uses of the other adjacent lands compatible with this land as open space?
b) Would commercial or residential development of this land be incompatible with adjacent park or open space?
c) Will this land significantly enhance the use of the adjacent park or open space?
d) Will this land provide access to adjacent public land to which access does not now exist or is problematic?
e) Is the land free from foreseeable future impacts associated with adjacent property development?
f) Does adjacent land use provide opportunities for public access.
Spatial definition and separation of developed areas:
a) Will a buffer in this location be beneficial to the region? City? Neighborhood?
b) Is this land sufficient to provide a buffer or is it a key link in a plan to provide a buffer between developed or developing areas?
c) Is the land already zoned for development or is development likely in the near future?
d) Is there reasonable potential for commercial or residential development of the land separating the areas?
e) If commercial or residential development potential exists, is it feasible to preserve a buffer through the development process?
f) Will acquisition of the parcel protect a sufficient amount of the resource, amenity or land form?
g) Is the land sufficient size and shape to provide or protect habitat?
Preservation of agricultural activities:
a) Does the agricultural activity protect or enhance natural resources found on the land?
b) Does the agricultural activity provide or preserve views to significant land features?
c) Does the agricultural activity provide spatial definition or buffer which benefits the region? City? Neighborhood?
d) Is there reasonable potential for development in the near future?
e) Is the agricultural activity an important cultural resource within the community.
III. Priority:
Identified for conservation in the Colorado Springs Open Space Plan:
a) Is the land identified as a candidate area for conservation in the Colorado Springs Open Space Plan or other regional plans?
Meets goals of potential open space system:
a) Will principles of environmental conservation be used to plan the land? Will a large, contiguous area of native vegetation be conserved? Will rare landscape elements and significant features be protected? Will acquisition maintain connections between open space areas by identifying and protecting corridors for wildlife movement?
b) Will obtaining the land conserve areas representative of the Pikes Peak Region' main natural area types?
c) Does the land provide public access and recreational opportunities, particularly trail corridors?
d) Will obtaining the land result in conservation of areas that reflect community values for open space that may not be tied directly to the protection of natural areas, such as historic resources?
e) Will the land have long term community value or significance?
f) Will obtaining the land maximize the efficient use of financial and administrative resources while conserving public open space.
Serves multiple purposes:
a) Will the land support multiple purposes such? (i. e. protection of wildlife, preservation of ecosystems, passive recreation, etc.)
Representative of one or more natural area types:
a) Are one or more natural area types found on the land? (i.e. grasslands, riparian corridors, foothills, bluffs)
Long term, regional significance:
a) Does the land contain resources that are significant regionally? Locally?
b) Has the land been valued as open space by the community in the past? Will this continue?
Accessible to the public:
a) Is the land accessible from major arterials? Minor arterials? Collector streets? Neighborhoods? Pedestrian trails or walks?
b) Is the land suitable for trailhead or parking if necessary?
c) Is the land visually accessible from public areas or can be enjoyed from a distance?
High and immediate development potential:
a) Has the land been zoned for development or is development likely in the near future?
b) Is there reasonable potential for development in the near future?
c) Is the land free from topographic, geographic, geological, or other developmental constraints?
Land/easement rights available:
a) Is the land being proposed for acquisition by the owner or representative?
b) If the land is being proposed is presented by other than the owner, is the owner aware of and in concurrence with the proposal?
Favorable terms and conditions:
a) Is the landowner supportive of the proposal?
b) Are the terms and conditions reasonable and equitable?
c) Are the owner's terms and conditions flexible or negotiable?
Community support/partnerships:
a) Is the land valued by a significant population in the community?
b) Is acquisition of the land supported by community based advocacy groups?
c) Does opportunity exist for acquisition through partnerships or trusts?
d) Will the community support the acquisition and long term care of the land through stewardship programs such as "adopt a trail" or "adopt a park"?
Ability to combine acquisition with other conservation tools:
a) Is there an opportunity to preserve the land via conservation easement(s)? The development process? Land exchange? Or other acquisition method?
b) Is the land a likely candidate for grants? Dedications? or Donation?
Maintenance and management:
a) Will the community share in the long term care of the land through stewardship pro grams such as "adopt a trail" or "adopt a park"?
b) Will the land have minimal long term maintenance and management expenses?
c) Is the land free from weeds, insect problems, diseases, refuse, or other environmental problems?
d) Does the land have ecological diversity necessary to sustain the native communities without extensive management programs.