Pueblo County Planning Commission

The Pueblo County Planning Commission (PCPC) is pleased to welcome you to their webpage.  By having all of the information and tools used by the PCPC in one place, it is easier for the community to learn about land use matters in Pueblo County.  We welcome your feedback on this webpage, so if there is any additional information you think would be helpful, please send us an e-mail and let us know what you’re looking for.

WHO:  The PCPC is made up of residents within Pueblo County who are knowledgeable about the County or have expertise in land use and development.  Generally, the PCPC members reside throughout the County, but do not represent specific geographic areas of the County.  To see a list of PCPC members and their terms of office, click on the Commission Members tab to the left.

If you are interested in applying to serve on the Planning Commission, applications will be accepted through Friday, November 17, 2017, by 5:00 p.m. For more information, call or visit the Department of Planning and Development at 583-6100, 229 West 12th Street, or access the application below.  Vacancies, with a call for applications, usually are advertised in late fall of each year.

WHAT:  The Pueblo County Planning Commission is responsible for advising the Board of Commissioners on land use related matters.  On some cases, the PCPC will be the final authority, while in other cases the Board of Commissioners will make the final land use determination, taking into consideration a recommendation of the PCPC and staff.  Click here to see a matrix of land use actions/public hearing requirements for various land use cases.

The PCPC operates under a set of by-laws or procedures to ensure that public meetings are fair for all concerned.  The by-laws provide information on what the public can expect to have happen at a public hearing, including when they will have an opportunity to be heard.

The meeting agendas for the PCPC meetings are posted every month, the Friday prior to the meeting.  The agendas include a case number that is assigned to each case, which provides an active link to all on-line documents pertinent to the subject property.  If you need any additional information about an agenda item, please call the Department of Planning and Development at 719-583-6100.  Office Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

WHEN:  The Pueblo County Planning Commission meets once a month, generally the third Wednesday of each month.  The established meeting schedule for both the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners is available on-line.  Meeting dates can change based on holidays.

WHERE:  The Pueblo County Planning Commission holds its meetings at the Pueblo County Courthouse, Commissioners' Chambers, located at 215 W. 10th St.  Enter at the north door (11th St.) and take the elevator or stairs to the first floor.  The Commissioners' Chambers are located at the center of the building.
The location of the PCPC public hearings and/or meetings is accessible to the disabled.  Accommodations will be made at such hearings and/or meetings for individuals with sight or hearing impairments, if such accommodations are requested at least two (2) working days in advance by contacting the Department of Planning and Development, at 719-583-6100.

HOW:  The Pueblo County Planning Commission has various tools that it uses to evaluate proposed map amendments (re-zonings), special use permits, 1041 permits, etc.  Below are the key tools the PCPC will use to guideits decisions and recommendations:

WHY:  The Pueblo County Planning Commission is on the forefront of some of the major ongoing issues in Pueblo County.  The Planning Commission’s roles are to plan and to help regulate land use to ensure orderly development and care for the environment consistent with protection of constitutional rights.  It is guided in those roles by federal and State laws and standards adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in the Pueblo County Land Use Regulations (LUR) and other County regulations.

The general public, permit applicants, State and federal agencies, other County departments and the Pueblo County Board of Commissioners are all customers of the Department of Planning and Development and the Planning Commission; all need to be heard fairly and addressed respectfully.  As required by law, public notice is sent to owners of property located within 300' of the subject property and published in a newspaper of general circulation (typically the Pueblo Chieftain legal section).  The purpose of notice is to assure that everyone affected by a change in land use is notified of their opportunity to declare themselves at the appropriate public hearing.

We are attempting to provide as much information about the PCPC and what it reviews so that members of the public are afforded the opportunity to be fully informed before attending a public hearing.  If you do not find the information you are looking for regarding a case on this webpage, please send your inquiry via e-mail to the Department of Planning and Development.  We will attempt to provide you with a response within 24 hours (weekdays) of sending your inquiry.

Elizabeth (Beth) Gladney

Beth was a board member for the Pueblo Urban Renewal for 10 years and was the Chair for two years.  She was a board member for HARP Authority for approximately four years and Chair for one year.  Her other civic commissions and/or boards include Historic Pueblo, Inc. and Pueblo South High School Alumni Foundation.

Appointed 1/1/2020. Current Term Expires 12/31/2022.
Currently serving first full term.

Donald L. Bruestle

For over 34 years, Don was an administrator of affordable housing and community redevelopment programs for city, county, and state agencies.  He was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota.  He has been a resident of both the City and County of Pueblo and currently resides in the Mesa Junction neighborhood within the City of Pueblo.  When asked why he likes serving as a Planning Commissioner, Don responded, “I have professional experience in land use and development, along with professional experience in helping people build stronger communities.  I want to use my experience to help guide Pueblo County in its growth and development.”  He enjoys the climate and lifestyle of Pueblo County, as well as the cultural and ethnic diversity of the people in Pueblo County.

Appointed 1/1/2009.  Current Term Expires 12/31/2020.
Currently serving fourth full term.

Stephen Valera

Stephen was a contracting officer representative in the Army, which included overseeing base reassignment, base contracts, and base utilization and land management.  He currently serves as President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2430 at the Department of Veterans Affairs.  His other civic and/or community boards include East Side Child Care Board, Pueblo County Democratic Veterans Council, Southern Colorado Labor Council, and Student Veterans of America.  He holds a Masters in Social Work and was honorably discharged from the Army having served four years within the Active Duty component and four within the Colorado Army National Guard. 

Appointed 1/1/2020.  Current Term Expires 12/31/2022.
Currently serving first full term.

Kiera Hatton

Kiera is employed in real estate marketing.  She enjoys community activism through Sustainable Pueblo, the Sierra Club, Emerge Colorado, and Southeastern Colorado Solar Coalition.  She is passionate about Pueblo and, as a planning commissioner, looks forward to being a part of smart, sustainable, environmentally responsible development.  A Pueblo native, she has also lived in Missouri, New Jersey, and South Dakota.  As a planning commissioner, Kiera hopes to inspire other young professionals to become involved in activities throughout Pueblo.

Appointed 4-8-2013.  Current Term Expires 12/31/2022.
Currently seving third full term.

Michael Schuster

Mike served as the Pueblo County Assessor for two terms.  He worked at the Division of Property Taxation, State of Colorado, being part of the management team.  He was a member of the State Board of Equalization for three years, which made sure all county assessors were following the laws and guidelines that impact school finance.

Appointed 8/9/2017.  Current Term Expires 12/31/2020.
Currently serving unexpired term of John Musso.

Epimenio (Eppie) Griego, Jr.

Eppie is a lifelong Pueblo resident who resides in the Vineland area.  Having earned a machining degree, he works for the IBEW LOCAL 12 as a ground man (PAR Electric).  He is also a small business owner, operating a seasonal food vending service. Eppie was previously a Licensed Foster Parent for 17 years.  What he likes about Pueblo County is all of the opportunities to bring economic development and jobs to the community; he finds that all of the volunteer boards and commissions that he serves on have taught him how government works. As a Planning Commissioner, he enjoys being part of the community process to move Pueblo County forward in a positive manner.

Appointed 10/14/2008.  Current Term Expires 12/31/2021.
Currently serving fourth full term.

Philip Mancha

Phil retired as Dean of Arts and Sciences at Pueblo Community College in 2006.  He has served the Pueblo community as a member of numerous non-profit Boards, most recently the Pueblo City/County Library Board and the Sangre de Cristo Hospice and Palliative Care.  Born and raised in a small Maryland town, Phil now lives on the south side of Pueblo.  His primary reason for joining the Planning Commission is to promote the health, safety, and welfare and the quality of living in our community.  He finds the citizens of Pueblo to be friendly and possessing of a public spirit that he finds to be inspiring.

Appointed 1/1/2013.  Current Term Expires 12/31/2021.
Currently serving third full term.

Zachary Swearingen

Zachary held multiple leadership positions throughout his military career as a United States Navy SEAL.  He is the owner/founder of a gun range in Avondale, Colorado.

Appointed 8/9/2017.  Current Term Expires 12/31/2021.
Completed term of R. Leyba.  Currently serving first full term.

Judy Leonard

Judy Leonard currently serves on the Pueblo West Metropolitan Board and is responsible for the operational decisions impacting Pueblo West and active interaction with the County Commissioners.  She is also the liaison between the Pueblo West Metropolitan Board and the Committee of Architecture.  Previously, she worked at the Pueblo West Metropolitan District for 27 years with experience in land sales including zoning, covenants, permits, and land usage; served as administrative assistant to the district manager; and worked in the finance department and has vast working knowledge of the streets and roads department.   Judy holds a degree in Business Administration.  She likes working with the community as a member of the Planning Commission.

Appointed 2/18/2015.  Current Term Expires 12/31/2020.
Currently serving second full term.

 

*EX PARTE COMMUNICATION
Please note that it is inappropriate to personally contact individual County Commissioners or Planning Commission members while an application is pending.  Such contact is considered ex parte communication and will have to be disclosed as part of the public hearings on the matter.  If you have any concerns, you should contact staff, write a letter or present your concerns at the public meeting so your comments can be made part of the record.

Requirement:  An applicant must be a resident of Pueblo County.  It is desirable if applicants have knowledge and interest in ongoing land use planning activities.

Appointment/Responsibilities:  The Pueblo County Planning Commission is a nine-member Commission appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.  The Commission’s responsibilities include review, approval, and recommendation in matters of land use planning, zoning, and subdivision.

Meetings:  The Commission meets regularly on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., plus there are special meetings from time-to-time.  An agenda and packet of material are provided prior to the meeting.

You can apply using the printable form on the right side of the page. You may also email the form to the email address below.

If you have any questions about the Planning Commission or the application, contact Louella Salazar at salazar@pueblocounty.us or 719-583-6379.

Related Files

PDF icon PCPC Application