Planning Commission approves retroactive variance for 15‑foot shotcrete slope at 1210 Eagle Rock Road

The Colorado Springs Planning Commission on Oct. 8 approved a nonuse variance to allow an existing shotcrete slope/retaining structure up to 15 feet at 1210 Eagle Rock Road, finding that extraordinary physical conditions and other nonuse‑variance criteria were met.

Planner Drew Fox summarized the request as an application to legalize an existing shotcrete structure installed in February 2003 that reaches roughly 15 feet in height on portions of the property, where the hillside overlay limits retaining walls to 4 feet or two tiers separated by 4–6 feet. Fox said a geohazard report was submitted and approved by city engineering and that Emtek (sometimes rendered in the record as EnTech) provided engineering comments recommending diversion of stormwater and maintaining positive drainage.

Applicant consultant Dave Hostetler said the original, approved 1999 hillside plan showed two 4‑foot walls further upslope; during…