The Villa Bella subdivision south of Colorado State University Pueblo could expand by 310 homes if Pueblo City Council grants final plat approval.
Villa Bella Filing No. 2 covers 48 acres and 310 lots located south of Rawlings Boulevard, west of Bergamo Drive, and east of Thunderwolf Drive. The property is owned by Jeff Mark of Caleb Development LLC in Colorado Springs, who also serves as president of Landhuis Development.
The subdivision began in 2021 with 84 lots currently being built out by Richmond American Homes.
The new plat also includes a 1-acre pocket park on Bergamo Drive. On Aug. 13, the Pueblo Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended City Council approve the plan after its initial review.
Six townhomes receive early approval
Despite pushback from neighbors, the commission recommended City Council approve rezoning a vacant .25-acre lot at Madison Street and East Pitkin Avenue. Owner AMP LLC plans to build six two-story townhomes starting in November, with completion expected by December 2026.
The project includes nine off-street parking spaces and “raised beds in the back for tenants to grow veggies,” said planner Paul Glenn, representing the owner. “Three of the units will face Madison and three will face Pitkin.”
Residents Meghan and Michael Dunphy, who live across the street, opposed the rezoning, citing concerns about parking, safety, and property values.
The vacant lot sits diagonally across from the Central Apartments at 431 E. Pitkin Ave., in the former 1882 Central High School building, and near a church. “Neighbors already struggle with parking,” Michael Dunphy said.
Another neighbor, David Arguello, added, “It’s going to be a mess,” noting he sees police in the area “every couple of weeks.”
“We do not need anything like that in our neighborhood,” Arguello said.
Glenn acknowledged the concerns, saying “change is hard,” especially since the parcel has been vacant for so long. He argued the “upscale nature of the building will be an asset to the neighborhood.”
Planning Commission Vice President Patrick Avalos cast the only “no” vote, saying he was “disturbed” that the owner had already delivered materials to the site. The remaining six commissioners voted to recommend approval.
“One of our considerations is to promote more housing in the city as long as it is done correctly,” said board president Mike Castellucci.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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