Colorado Springs Planning Commission Meeting, February 11, 2026
Colorado Springs Planning Commission Meeting
Meeting Date: February 11, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM Location: 2880 International Cir., 2nd Floor, Hearing Room
The City Planning Commission met to consider several rezoning, land use, and variance applications. Key actions included approval of a non-use variance for a garage addition, approval of the Landings Business Park rezone and land use plan, and denial of a rezone at 4880 Airport Road. Public comments were heard on multiple items, with concerns about traffic, density, and neighborhood character.
Communications
- Kevin Walker, Planning Director, announced that the Fishers Canyon, Stratton Meadows, and Ute Valley Park rezoning items were postponed.
- City Council approved the Mormon church steeple appeal (development plan without conditions) on February 10, 2026.
- A joint meeting between City Council and Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled for March or April 2026.
- The Downtown Master Plan is expected in April 2026.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (9-0) the consent calendar, which included:
- 6473 Vincent Dr Rezone (Ordinance 26-09): Rezone 2.93 acres to MX-N/AF-O.
- Cumbre Vista Park (Ordinance 26-10): Rezone 5.75 acres to PK/AP-O.
- Grey Hawk Park (Ordinance 26-11): Rezone 4.48 acres to PK/AF-O.
- US24/SH21 Street Name Change: Airport Road to Headwind Way.
- Moxie Suites: Conditional use for small personal/business service in MX-N zone.
5226 Brady Road Garage Addition (Non-Use Variance)
- Applicant: Scott Schwartz proposed a 2,560 sq ft detached garage, bringing total garage space to 3,296 sq ft on a 1-acre lot (zoned R-E/AP-O). The variance exceeded the 1,650 sq ft limit and required an administrative adjustment for height (18'4" vs. allowed 16').
- Public Comments: Six speakers: David Murr and Bill Brown supported the variance, citing precedent and property improvement. Jon Newmann and Gordon Stegner (Chair of Architectural Control Committee) opposed, warning of precedent and adverse impacts.
- Commission Discussion: Commissioners debated whether the lot's size (1 acre) constituted an extraordinary condition. Staff noted criteria are additive and must all be met. Some commissioners found the proposal met criteria due to low lot coverage (12.4% vs. 30% max) and compatibility; others opposed due to association opposition and lack of unique conditions.
- Outcome: Motion to approve passed 7-2. Conditions included a final drainage letter and administrative adjustment for height. Technical modification: update FEMA map. Commissioners Cecil and Casey voted no.
Landings Business Park (Rezone and Land Use Plan)
- Applicant: Andrea Barlow (NES) proposed rezoning 319.94 acres to PDZ/AP-O/APZ-1 and establishing a land use plan with residential (max 924 units, 14 DU/acre, 50 ft height), commercial (2.5M sq ft, 80 ft height), and industrial uses. The site is near Peterson Space Force Base.
- Public Comments: None from the public. Lt. Col. Scott Kelly (Peterson SFB) requested a quarter-mile standoff but acknowledged flexibility pending a SOICUZ study. He appreciated height restrictions and noted ongoing coordination.
- Commission Discussion: Issues included electromagnetic interference, traffic, and compatibility. The PDZ zoning allows use restrictions (e.g., no marijuana, group homes, or cemeteries). Some commissioners expressed concern about excluding health services (e.g., detox centers). The applicant highlighted flexibility and alignment with PlanCOS.
- Outcome: Rezone approved 8-1 (Commissioner Slattery no). Land Use Plan approved 7-2 (Commissioners Cecil and Slattery no). Technical modification: update site data to list all current zone districts.
4880 Airport Road Rezone (Reconsideration)
- Applicant: Ann Odom (NES) sought rezone from R1-6/AP-O to R-5/AP-O (2.17 acres) for potential 50-unit multifamily building. The item was withdrawn from City Council due to procedural issues and brought back for reconsideration.
- Public Comments: Four speakers opposed: Tao Thai (Buddhist Temple owner), Helen Mackey (HOA president), Barbara Overgaard, and Joyce Salazar (RISE Southeast). Key concerns: single egress on Karr Road, traffic congestion, emergency access, and compatibility.
- Commission Discussion: Traffic and fire officials confirmed no known past issues but lacked operational data. Commissioners weighed density (R-5 allows 25 DU/acre vs. existing 8 DU/acre) and compatibility. Some favored R-5 as consistent with adjacent zoning; others opposed due to traffic and safety unknowns.
- Outcome: Motion to deny passed 6-3 (Commissioners Hensler, Cecil, Willoughby voting no). Appeal instructions noted: affected parties may appeal to City Council within 10 days (by February 23, 2026).
Key Outcomes
- 5226 Brady Road Garage Addition: Non-use variance approved 7-2 with conditions.
- Landings Business Park Rezone: Recommended approval to City Council 8-1.
- Landings Business Park Land Use Plan: Recommended approval to City Council 7-2 with technical modification.
- 4880 Airport Road Rezone: Denied 6-3; appeal deadline February 23, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. The Colorado Springs Planning Commission public hearing for February 11th, 2026 is now called to order. The Planning Commission is comprised of nine members appointed by City Council to review various development applications and proposals. Planning commissioners are community volunteers with expertise across a wide variety of disciplines. Each commissioner acts independently and carefully assesses all the information and evidence presented to make their decision. The city planning staff facilitate the process for applications, and this commission reviews a variety of those applications governed by city code. Some applications require the planning commission to be the final decision authority, and for others, the planning commission is a recommendation body to the city council. Throughout the hearing, we will require that everyone conduct themselves respectfully. Understand that others may have different views from your own. Disrespectful words or actions speaking out of order were not recognized by the chair, and the use of profanity will not be tolerated. For items presented on today's agenda, city planning staff will give a presentation on the application, followed by the applicant who will have 30 minutes to present the details of the application. For any items that are heard on appeal today, the appellant and applicant will be given each equal time. Public comment will be taken after these presentations, starting with public comment in support of the application, followed by public comment in opposition to the application. Each citizen will have three minutes to speak. Please keep comments brief and focused on the issues at hand. Please respect others' attendees' right to both listen and to be heard. Once public comment is complete, the applicant will have a rebuttal period of 10 minutes to respond and address any comments. At the conclusion of the applicant's rebuttal, the discussion will move to the dais for commissioner consideration. Please call to order or please read the roll call. Here. Commissioner Cecil. Here. Commissioner Slattery. Here. Commissioner Robbins. Here. Chair Casey. Here. Commissioner Clemens. Here. Commissioner Didiano. Here. Commissioner Willoughby. Here. Commissioner Case. Here. Thank you. We have nine members present. Thank you. Are there any changes to the agenda or postponements? None. Okay, move on to communications. I do not have anything. I'll turn it over to Mr. Walker, the city planning director. Several quick items. Thank you. Kevin Walker, uh, City Planning Director. Uh first, uh, wanted to note for those in the audience that there has been some changes to the uh park rezonings, the PK rezonings. We are not hearing today.
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