Operational Section

The Operational Section of the Planning Division is responsible for the day-to-day activities regarding zoning, subdivision and development of property in the unincorporated area of the County, Code enforcement, and many other duties.

Some of the myriad duties and responsibilities of the Operational Section include:

Processing requests related to the use of land not located within cities or towns.

       Zone Change
       Sketch Plan
       Minor Subdivision (certain subdivisions of four or fewer lots)
       Preliminary Plan and Final Plat
       Vacation/Replat
       Use Subject to Special Review
       Variance of Use (for uses not normally allowed in a zone district)
       Vacation of Easement/ Right-of-Way
       Subdivision Exemption
       Formation of Special Districts

Processed by the Environmental Section are:

       Certificate of Designation (for solid waste facilities)
       Location Approval (for certain public utility uses)
       Site Approval (for wastewater treatment facilities)

In conjunction with the Comprehensive Planning Section, amendments to the County Master Plan are also processed

Most of these requests require public hearings before the Planning Commission which is advisory to the Board of County Commissioners. Some require legal advertising.

On October 26, 2000, the Board of County Commissioners took action temporarily suspend the Planning Commission submittal cycle for one year. This action is formalized in Board Resolution 00-442. This process places significantly more emphasis on early assistance to the customer. A Pre-Application form, followed by a Pre-Application meeting, is required in most cases. The process is further explained in a November 22, 2000, letter.

If you are submitting a request, it must be complete, as outlined in our Notice to All Applicants.

Many of the activities of the Operational Section are governed by the El Paso County Land Development Code which contains the Subdivision and Zoning Regulations for the unincorporated area. This is a dynamic document and subject to periodic revisions as circumstances warrant and staff time allows.

Physical variances of the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations are processed and presented to the Board of Adjustment for consideration/ action.

The Code Enforcement Section not only monitors compliance with conditions of approval on land use requests, but also enforces the County's Rubbish Ordinance (#92-1) and Weed Ordinance (#92-2) which have been adopted by the Board of County Commissioners.

For further information on the above or other activities of the Planning Division, please call us at (719) 520-6300.