El Paso County Commissioners approve commercial rezoning along Highway 94 despite neighbors’ compatibility concerns
January 08, 2026 | El Paso County, Colorado
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El Paso County commissioners voted 4–1 on Jan. 8 to approve a map amendment rezoning a 37.63-acre portion of a larger parcel along State Highway 94 from RR-5 (residential rural) to CS (Commercial Service).
Planning staff presented the request from 20165 Hall Street LLC as intended to create commercial frontage to serve nearby residential areas and the Space Force base, and said the proposal generally conforms with the county master plan. Planner Joseph Lettke told commissioners the change would allow typical low-water, low-traffic commercial uses and that “the master plan does state many of the large commercial and employment areas within the county are located within municipal limits and require unincorporated residents to travel considerable distances for work, goods, and services.”
Applicant planner John Olsen said the rezoned land would likely be subdivided into four commercial lots and that the developer expects one-story uses such as vehicle and boat storage, mini-warehouses and low-water retail. He said the lots would be served by well water and septic and that final site plans and any required access improvements would be subject to separate reviews, including Colorado Department of Transportation permits for highway access.
Several planning commissioners and one member of the public had questioned compatibility with the surrounding rural character and the change in maximum allowed structure height from 30 to 45 feet under the CS zoning. Commissioner Wysong asked whether the applicant could promise to limit building height; Joseph Lettke advised such a restriction may be difficult to apply at rezoning and would be better addressed during final plat or site-plan review. Vice Chair Williams said he opposed adding an extra condition limiting height, while Commissioner Nelson noted the zoning currently allows 45 feet.
County attorney staff confirmed the board can impose reasonable conditions, including a height restriction, but the board chose not to add one. The motion to approve carried on a roll call in which Commissioner Wysong voted no and Commissioners Nelson, Applegate, Williams and the chair voted aye.
The board moved the item forward with staff recommendations; any future development of the site will require separate subdivision and site-plan review, water sufficiency findings where applicable, and CDOT access permits.
The board recessed briefly after the vote. The rezoning is recorded as file CS 205002 (Parcels: 340000455).
Planning staff presented the request from 20165 Hall Street LLC as intended to create commercial frontage to serve nearby residential areas and the Space Force base, and said the proposal generally conforms with the county master plan. Planner Joseph Lettke told commissioners the change would allow typical low-water, low-traffic commercial uses and that “the master plan does state many of the large commercial and employment areas within the county are located within municipal limits and require unincorporated residents to travel considerable distances for work, goods, and services.”
Applicant planner John Olsen said the rezoned land would likely be subdivided into four commercial lots and that the developer expects one-story uses such as vehicle and boat storage, mini-warehouses and low-water retail. He said the lots would be served by well water and septic and that final site plans and any required access improvements would be subject to separate reviews, including Colorado Department of Transportation permits for highway access.
Several planning commissioners and one member of the public had questioned compatibility with the surrounding rural character and the change in maximum allowed structure height from 30 to 45 feet under the CS zoning. Commissioner Wysong asked whether the applicant could promise to limit building height; Joseph Lettke advised such a restriction may be difficult to apply at rezoning and would be better addressed during final plat or site-plan review. Vice Chair Williams said he opposed adding an extra condition limiting height, while Commissioner Nelson noted the zoning currently allows 45 feet.
County attorney staff confirmed the board can impose reasonable conditions, including a height restriction, but the board chose not to add one. The motion to approve carried on a roll call in which Commissioner Wysong voted no and Commissioners Nelson, Applegate, Williams and the chair voted aye.
The board moved the item forward with staff recommendations; any future development of the site will require separate subdivision and site-plan review, water sufficiency findings where applicable, and CDOT access permits.
The board recessed briefly after the vote. The rezoning is recorded as file CS 205002 (Parcels: 340000455).
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