Planning commission rejects variance for Watts Upfitting at Meadowlake Airport

The El Paso County Planning Commission on Jan. 16 voted against a variance of use requested by Watts Upfitting to allow a commercial vehicle repair/upfitting operation and outdoor storage at Meadowlake Airport.

The variance request — filed as VA247 — would have allowed vehicle repair and storage tied to government contracts on a 2.25-acre parcel within the airport overlay. Carrie Parsons, senior planner with El Paso County Planning and Community Development, summarized the proposal and staff analysis before the hearing.

The commission’s vote followed more than three hours of presentation, questions and public comment. Opponents, including Meadowlake Airport Association President Dave Elliott Dunn, raised concerns about airport compatibility, Federal Aviation Administration grant assurances and impacts to taxiways and hangar availability. Dunn told the commission the airport’s growth and grant-funded infrastructure give the county a responsibility to limit non‑aeronautical uses on and near the runway complex.

Supporters, including nearby commercial property owners and residents who own hangars, said Watts Upfitting is a locally based, government‑contract business that has operated at the site since 2018 and in its current ownership since 2021. John Watts, owner of Watts…