Board approves setback relief for sunshade at 7486 Campstool Drive

The El Paso County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a dimensional variance to allow a louvered sunshade at 7486 Campstool Drive to be as close as 16 feet 7 inches from the rear property line where the county code requires 25 feet. The board cited practical difficulties created by the lot’s shape and existing site conditions in granting the relief.

The decision followed a staff presentation that described the request as a variance to allow a "16 foot rear setback where 25 feet is required" and explained that the lot is odd-shaped and the property is not in a regulatory floodplain. Planning and Community Development notified 24 surrounding property owners and staff said it received no letters of opposition.

Alex Gayson, the applicant, told the board the neighbors behind his house sit roughly 8 feet higher than his yard and that the proposed sunshade is an open, non-enclosed louvered structure. Gayson said one corner of the proposed structure is 16 feet 7 inches from the property line and another corner is about 21 feet, reflecting the irregular lot shape. He said the structure will be professionally built and engineered and that neighbors had signed letters supporting the project.

Joe Sandstrom, associate engineer with the Department of Public Works, said the site is in the Sand Creek drainage basin but not in a regulatory floodplain and no drainage or grading/erosion plan was required for this submittal. Sandstrom also noted that because the project would not add trips to the roadway, no traffic study or road-impact fees were required.

Board members expressed support for approving the relief. Keith Wood said he had no problem approving the application given that the structure is open and not an enclosed addition. Joseph Rexrode moved for approval under standard resolution No. 3, citing that the burdens of strict compliance significantly exceed benefits; Randy McSparren seconded the motion.

The recorded vote was 5–0: Keith Wood, Randy McSparren, Frank Tank, Joseph Rexrode and Chair Kevin Curry voted in favor and the motion passed. The motion approved a variance of "16 feet where 25 is required" (packet shows 16 feet 7 inches at the closest corner) with "2 conditions and 2 notations" attached as stated in the motion; the transcript does not contain the full text of those conditions or notations.

Applicant comments thanked staff for assistance; the applicant noted the lot’s preexisting concrete pad and that the shade would improve privacy and reduce afternoon glare into the home. The board closed public testimony with no opposition and approved the variance unanimously.