El Paso County Planning Commission, Aug. 7 – Variance for rental unit rejected

September 4, 2025

By Marlene Brown

The El Paso County Planning Commission (EPCPC) held its regular bi-monthly meeting on Aug. 7. All voting members of EPC and staff were present. The agenda was requested by Commissioner Eric Moraes to be amended for the consent items to be heard as called-up agenda items.

Item number VA2523—Variance of Use, Spaatz Road—was moved from the consent items to the called-up agenda for hearing. This was a request by Jason and Emily Schott for approval of Variance of Use on 5.15 acres to allow an additional dwelling unit in the RR-5 Residential Rural district. The property is about 1.5 miles northwest of the intersection of I-25 and Baptist Road. The Schotts were there for an additional second dwelling variance for a garage that was converted to a rental with living quarters. The garage was permitted in 2022 as unheated and unoccupied and later converted to living quarters without updating the permit.

Jason Schott acknowledged making a mistake and was looking to correct the issue. Heat was installed in 2023 as the conversion to rental property was completed.

Neighbors of the property testified they were concerned about the increased traffic and use of a long-term rental property that would increase their taxes on the surrounding properties. Though Commissioners Tim Trowbridge and Becky Fuller said the property was always intended to be a rental, and an attempt to circumvent the Land Development Code and Master Plan would only set a precedent for other owners to convert properties without proper approval, the request for hardship was not inherent, and they would vote against the request. A motion for disapproval of the consent item passed 5-2. The item will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for its consideration.

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The EPCPC normally meets on the first and third Monday of the month at 2880 International Circle, Suite 110, in Colorado Springs at 9 a.m. You can view hearings remotely at https://planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com/planning-community-development/2025-hearings-schedule/.

Marlene Brown can be contacted at marlenebrown@ocn.me.

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