Metro District Draft Decision Policy

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The Town of Erie Board of Trustees is considering adopting a policy to act as a guide for the Board’s consideration of Metropolitan (Metro) District Service Plans. Metro Districts are often proposed by developers as a way to help finance new development. This is a common practice throughout Colorado, not just within Erie. Metro Districts as a completely separate entity from, and not controlled by, the Town. This means that Metro Districts can implement their own funding stream (property taxes) that are not in any way distributed outside of the District. The Town’s only authority with regard to Metro Districts is the Board of Trustees’ ability to approve a Metro District Service Plan and ensure the adopted plan is followed.

Such plans specify, among other things, the district boundaries, the public infrastructure that will be constructed within the district, the maximum property tax rates the Metro District may impose within the district to finance that public infrastructure, and any disclosure requirements to alert those considering purchasing property of the existence of the District.

Metro Districts are an important financing tool that enable a new residential development to “pay its own way” without imposing financial burdens on the existing community. However, the reasonableness of tax levies in Metro Districts has been a subject of concern. The draft policy to the right is intended to address this concern and to, among other things:

  • Clarify the Town’s Policy Objectives regarding:
  1. Environmental Sustainability Outcomes
  2. Critical Public Infrastructure
  3. Smart Growth Management
  4. Strategic Priorities:
    1. Sustainability Outcomes
    2. Oil and Gas
    3. Economic Health Outcomes
    4. Attainable Housing
    5. Affordable Housing
  • Clarify the Town’s Evaluation Criteria for Metro District Service Plans
  • Specify Metro District Service Plan Requirements

We would appreciate your review and comments on this draft policy by Oct. 25.

To help explain the draft policy in more detail and facilitate your review, on Oct. 14, at 6:30 p.m. Town staff will be conducting a virtual Listening/Q&A session on this draft policy. Stay tuned for specific information on how to participate in that session.

Comments can be made out loud at the Listening Session or they can be submitted by emailing contactus@erieco.gov (please use the subject line “Draft Metro District Policy”) or can be written and mailed to Town of Erie, P.O. Box 750, Erie CO 80516.

We will summarize all comments submitted by Oct. 25 and share them with the Board of Trustees for review as part of the Board’s formal consideration of this draft policy. The schedule for the Board’s consideration is as follows:

  • Nov. 2: During Board’s Study Session to review comments received to date and discuss possible revisions to the draft policy.
  • Dec. 14: During the Board’s Regular Meeting discuss the revised draft policy and take additional public comments as a General Business item.
  • Jan. 11, 2022: Board consideration of resolution to adopt a final draft of the policy.

The Town of Erie Board of Trustees is considering adopting a policy to act as a guide for the Board’s consideration of Metropolitan (Metro) District Service Plans. Metro Districts are often proposed by developers as a way to help finance new development. This is a common practice throughout Colorado, not just within Erie. Metro Districts as a completely separate entity from, and not controlled by, the Town. This means that Metro Districts can implement their own funding stream (property taxes) that are not in any way distributed outside of the District. The Town’s only authority with regard to Metro Districts is the Board of Trustees’ ability to approve a Metro District Service Plan and ensure the adopted plan is followed.

Such plans specify, among other things, the district boundaries, the public infrastructure that will be constructed within the district, the maximum property tax rates the Metro District may impose within the district to finance that public infrastructure, and any disclosure requirements to alert those considering purchasing property of the existence of the District.

Metro Districts are an important financing tool that enable a new residential development to “pay its own way” without imposing financial burdens on the existing community. However, the reasonableness of tax levies in Metro Districts has been a subject of concern. The draft policy to the right is intended to address this concern and to, among other things:

  • Clarify the Town’s Policy Objectives regarding:
  1. Environmental Sustainability Outcomes
  2. Critical Public Infrastructure
  3. Smart Growth Management
  4. Strategic Priorities:
    1. Sustainability Outcomes
    2. Oil and Gas
    3. Economic Health Outcomes
    4. Attainable Housing
    5. Affordable Housing
  • Clarify the Town’s Evaluation Criteria for Metro District Service Plans
  • Specify Metro District Service Plan Requirements

We would appreciate your review and comments on this draft policy by Oct. 25.

To help explain the draft policy in more detail and facilitate your review, on Oct. 14, at 6:30 p.m. Town staff will be conducting a virtual Listening/Q&A session on this draft policy. Stay tuned for specific information on how to participate in that session.

Comments can be made out loud at the Listening Session or they can be submitted by emailing contactus@erieco.gov (please use the subject line “Draft Metro District Policy”) or can be written and mailed to Town of Erie, P.O. Box 750, Erie CO 80516.

We will summarize all comments submitted by Oct. 25 and share them with the Board of Trustees for review as part of the Board’s formal consideration of this draft policy. The schedule for the Board’s consideration is as follows:

  • Nov. 2: During Board’s Study Session to review comments received to date and discuss possible revisions to the draft policy.
  • Dec. 14: During the Board’s Regular Meeting discuss the revised draft policy and take additional public comments as a General Business item.
  • Jan. 11, 2022: Board consideration of resolution to adopt a final draft of the policy.

What do you want to know?

Have any questions about Metro Districts or the draft policy for Metro District approval? Leave them here and we will get back an answer!

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  • Share Why did anyone identify Jon Lee and Steve Ranes as executive with the development company CDG or mention the fact both are also directors of Erie Metro district #2. Would have been nice for the Listening public to know who had an agenda in their comments. I am certain as Town administrator Fleming knew who they were. forgetful at best dishonest at worst. on Facebook Share Why did anyone identify Jon Lee and Steve Ranes as executive with the development company CDG or mention the fact both are also directors of Erie Metro district #2. Would have been nice for the Listening public to know who had an agenda in their comments. I am certain as Town administrator Fleming knew who they were. forgetful at best dishonest at worst. on Twitter Share Why did anyone identify Jon Lee and Steve Ranes as executive with the development company CDG or mention the fact both are also directors of Erie Metro district #2. Would have been nice for the Listening public to know who had an agenda in their comments. I am certain as Town administrator Fleming knew who they were. forgetful at best dishonest at worst. on Linkedin Email Why did anyone identify Jon Lee and Steve Ranes as executive with the development company CDG or mention the fact both are also directors of Erie Metro district #2. Would have been nice for the Listening public to know who had an agenda in their comments. I am certain as Town administrator Fleming knew who they were. forgetful at best dishonest at worst. link

    Why did anyone identify Jon Lee and Steve Ranes as executive with the development company CDG or mention the fact both are also directors of Erie Metro district #2. Would have been nice for the Listening public to know who had an agenda in their comments. I am certain as Town administrator Fleming knew who they were. forgetful at best dishonest at worst.

    bsimmons asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. As with any opportunity we provide to the public for Q&A or listening sessions, we ask the member of the public who is speaking to introduce themselves with their name and address (when it isn't an official Board of Trustees meeting, neither of these things are actually required). We do not ask any of our members of the public to give their titles or business affiliations unless they voluntarily decide to do so. We do, however, provide the titles and businesses for anyone the Town is contracting with or has as a "Panelist" for these sessions. 

  • Share Is the language included in the email regarding the metro district service plan listening session the “draft policy” referenced in that email? If not, where can I find it? on Facebook Share Is the language included in the email regarding the metro district service plan listening session the “draft policy” referenced in that email? If not, where can I find it? on Twitter Share Is the language included in the email regarding the metro district service plan listening session the “draft policy” referenced in that email? If not, where can I find it? on Linkedin Email Is the language included in the email regarding the metro district service plan listening session the “draft policy” referenced in that email? If not, where can I find it? link

    Is the language included in the email regarding the metro district service plan listening session the “draft policy” referenced in that email? If not, where can I find it?

    Erie Contact Us asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. The draft policy is included on this page - linked under "documents" toward the top, right. And for ease, you can also just click here.

  • Share So lets say a developer wants to install a massive amount of car-centric development that will significantly negatively impact congestion, and bring political pressure to expand road capacity. Where in the draft plan does that impact get measured and evaluated? on Facebook Share So lets say a developer wants to install a massive amount of car-centric development that will significantly negatively impact congestion, and bring political pressure to expand road capacity. Where in the draft plan does that impact get measured and evaluated? on Twitter Share So lets say a developer wants to install a massive amount of car-centric development that will significantly negatively impact congestion, and bring political pressure to expand road capacity. Where in the draft plan does that impact get measured and evaluated? on Linkedin Email So lets say a developer wants to install a massive amount of car-centric development that will significantly negatively impact congestion, and bring political pressure to expand road capacity. Where in the draft plan does that impact get measured and evaluated? link

    So lets say a developer wants to install a massive amount of car-centric development that will significantly negatively impact congestion, and bring political pressure to expand road capacity. Where in the draft plan does that impact get measured and evaluated?

    erie_resident asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for this question. We will get you an answer soon!

Page last updated: 22 Oct 2021, 03:07 PM