Commissioners grant ProTrans variance to operate small repair shop at Meadowlake Airport, with limits
January 08, 2026 | El Paso County, Colorado
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
El Paso County commissioners voted 4–1 on Jan. 8 to approve a variance of use allowing ProTrans Plus to operate a small commercial vehicle repair operation in two existing hangars at Meadowlake Airport.
Planning staff told the board the Meadowlake Airport area is subject to a General Aviation Overlay (GAO) that restricts non-aviation uses, and that the planning commission recommended denial (5–2) because of signature-authority/ownership questions and parking/queuing concerns. Staff also said the applicant provided a condition limiting the variance to Units E and F and that the planning department had confirmed ownership questions were addressed since the prior hearing.
Applicant Jeff Kandera told the board he has run a small shop at the airport for nearly 20 years, that the business typically handles four to five vehicles per week and supports airport operations such as plowing taxiways and occasional aircraft work. Kandera said the operation is “a very, very small business” run by himself and a spouse, with at most one additional mechanic if approved. He said customers are appointment-only and he sends maps and directions so vehicles do not block airport taxiways.
Counsel for the applicant said the company added a site-plan condition limiting daily trips to 10 and proposing 11 total parking spaces (six inside, five surface) and that the variance would be limited to the named business and not run with the land if ownership changed. Planning staff confirmed those limits are included in the EDARP site plan and the draft revised resolution references the site plan and letter of intent.
Neighbors and Meadowlake Airport Association raised concerns in written letters about non-aviation uses at the airport, potential taxiway obstruction, parking location and the adequacy of notice. Supporters who spoke at the hearing said some airport landowners have been harassed for speaking up and that the applicant has been a longstanding, beneficial presence at the field.
Vice Chair Williams moved approval with the condition limiting the variance to ProTrans Plus located in Units E and F and that it shall not run with the land; the motion carried 4–1 on a roll call. Commissioner Wysong voted no.
Approval remedies an open code-enforcement case staff said resulted from prior noncompliant activity at the hangar; the resolution and site-plan documentation in EDARP now record the conditions and limits tied to this variance of use (file VA 25-003).
Planning staff told the board the Meadowlake Airport area is subject to a General Aviation Overlay (GAO) that restricts non-aviation uses, and that the planning commission recommended denial (5–2) because of signature-authority/ownership questions and parking/queuing concerns. Staff also said the applicant provided a condition limiting the variance to Units E and F and that the planning department had confirmed ownership questions were addressed since the prior hearing.
Applicant Jeff Kandera told the board he has run a small shop at the airport for nearly 20 years, that the business typically handles four to five vehicles per week and supports airport operations such as plowing taxiways and occasional aircraft work. Kandera said the operation is “a very, very small business” run by himself and a spouse, with at most one additional mechanic if approved. He said customers are appointment-only and he sends maps and directions so vehicles do not block airport taxiways.
Counsel for the applicant said the company added a site-plan condition limiting daily trips to 10 and proposing 11 total parking spaces (six inside, five surface) and that the variance would be limited to the named business and not run with the land if ownership changed. Planning staff confirmed those limits are included in the EDARP site plan and the draft revised resolution references the site plan and letter of intent.
Neighbors and Meadowlake Airport Association raised concerns in written letters about non-aviation uses at the airport, potential taxiway obstruction, parking location and the adequacy of notice. Supporters who spoke at the hearing said some airport landowners have been harassed for speaking up and that the applicant has been a longstanding, beneficial presence at the field.
Vice Chair Williams moved approval with the condition limiting the variance to ProTrans Plus located in Units E and F and that it shall not run with the land; the motion carried 4–1 on a roll call. Commissioner Wysong voted no.
Approval remedies an open code-enforcement case staff said resulted from prior noncompliant activity at the hangar; the resolution and site-plan documentation in EDARP now record the conditions and limits tied to this variance of use (file VA 25-003).
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
