‘There is quite a bit of opposition’: Many neighbors against proposed apartment complex in Flying Horse

A sign located at the proposed site for an apartment complex tells neighbors about a community...
A sign located at the proposed site for an apartment complex tells neighbors about a community meeting that was hosted Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. (KKTV)
Published: Sep. 25, 2019 at 8:36 AM MDT
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A heated meeting Tuesday night allowed many neighbors to express their concerns about a proposed apartment complex that could be built near North Gate Boulevard and Highway 83.

The proposed apartment complex would consist of six buildings that are two or three stories tall. The suggested site for the apartment complex is at the corner of Silverton and Roller Coaster roads in the Flying Horse neighborhood.

Many neighbors are upset with the plans and expressed their frustrations during an informational meeting Tuesday night with the developers and city of Colorado Springs. The meeting got heated at points with people in the audience shouting.

“I would say emotions obviously run high when you’re talking about building an apartment complex in your backyard where you have built your dream home and your intention is to stay for years on end,” said Tara Clawson, an area homeowner who attended the meeting

Some said the complex would bring more crime and more traffic to the area. Others said the apartments would be built too close to their homes, which would take away their privacy. More neighbors said the apartment complex would bring in more children than the local schools could handle.

“This apartment complex adds to our already overbuilt community,” Clawson said. “Based on the facts we already have from a committee I sit on with District 20, there simply is not space for additional students that this apartment complex will generate.”

Other neighbors said they’re disappointed because the developer originally promised to build a shopping complex in the area, not apartments.

“They were told one thing, and everything was fully disclosed, and that’s good,” said Bret Petersen, a local business owner and neighbor. “People understood what they were getting into, and they based their decision on that. Now, they’re being told it’s going to be something entirely different that will greatly affect their property values.”

Petersen said he agrees with most of the developer’s vision but said he’d like to see some compromise.

“In the end, I think the developers have done a great job,” Petersen said. “Obviously, they have their interest at heart. As a business owner, I understand that, but they also have to understand what was promised to folks that supported them and got them to where they are right now.”

The developers declined to speak with 11 News on camera at the meeting Tuesday night.

The city said this apartment complex is just a proposal -- no official application has been filed yet. The city encouraged neighbors to continue to express their opinions by reaching out to the city’s planner Hannah Van Nimwegen at (719) 385-5365 or by emailing her at

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