Community Development Director • Alisha J. Reis
Code Enforcement/Animal Control Official Steve Earls

Master PlanPlanning and Zoning Commission
Planning and Zoning Commission Agenda
Subdivision Regulations • Board of Adjustments
Board of Adjustments Agenda
Zoning RegulationsEconomic Development
Land Use FeesFrequently Asked Questions
Historic Preservation

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Monte Vista Community Development Department is to sustain a planned and balanced community by working collaboratively with the community to guide growth and revitalization in conformance with city policies and regulations.


Planning and Zoning Commission 

It is the responsibility of the Planning and Zoning Commission to review all applications for zone changes, special review uses, and recommend action to the City Council.  The Commission also works with developers reviewing and approving subdivisions and updates the master plan.  The Planning and Zoning Commission consists of a board of five (5) volunteers appointed by the City Council and a City Council member.  Board members serve a term of 2 years.  The Planning and Zoning Commission also receives support from the City Land Use Planner and the City attorney.

Please route all questions regarding planning and zoning to City Hall at 852-2692.

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Board of Adjustment 

The Board of Adjustment shall hear and decide all questions on appeal from decisions of the City Manager and all other questions as provided in Chapter 18 (Zoning), Article II (Board of Adjustment). 

The Board of Adjustment shall have the following powers: 

  1. To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged by the appellant that there is error in any order, requirement, decision or refusal made by an administrative official or agency based on or made in the enforcement of this chapter.  The board may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed from.
     

  1. To grant or deny variances from the provisions of this chapter when the strict application of the regulations codified in this chapter would result in peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties to or exceptional and undue hardship upon the owner of the property.  The board may authorize, upon an appeal relating to the property, a variance from such strict application so as to relieve such difficulties or hardship, provided relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of this chapter.  In granting any variance, the board of adjustment may attach such reasonable conditions and safeguards as it may deem necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter.  In granting or denying variances, the board shall consider the following criteria and standards:

a.    Whether there are unique physical circumstances or conditions, such as exceptional irregularity, narrowness of shallowness of a piece of property at the time of the ordinance codified in this chapter, or whether there are exceptional topographic or other physical conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional situations or conditions peculiar to the affected property. 

b.    Whether the unusual circumstances or conditions exist throughout the neighborhood or district in which the property is located. 

c.     Whether the hardship has been created by the applicant. 

d.    Whether the grant of the requested variance will cause a significant hazard, annoyance or inconvenience to the owners or occupants of nearby property, significantly change the character of the neighborhood or reduce the value of nearby property, impose any significant cost burden upon the City or create any significant obstacle to implementation of the zoning plan evidenced by this chapter or by any master plan of the City. 

e.    Whether the variance, if granted, will alter the essential character of the neighborhood or district in which the property is located, or substantially or permanently impair the appropriate use or development of adjacent property. 

  1. To hear and decide such other special questions not inconsistent with these regulations codified in this chapter, upon which the board is authorized by resolution of the City.
     

  1. To hear and decide whether a specific use is expressly permitted in a use group as specified in Article V, Division 2.
     

  1. To decide questions concerning the interpretation of this chapter where any ambiguity or conflict exists or concerning the application of this chapter to specific property, where any ambiguity might exist.

Please route all questions regarding Board of Adjustment to City Hall at 852-2692.

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4 Chico Camino - Monte Vista, CO 81144 • Phone: (719) 852-2692 • Fax: (719) 852-6172
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 7:30 – 5:00 • Friday 7:30 – 12:00 noon

cmv@ci.monte-vista.co.us