With over two dozen neighbors attending in opposition, the El Paso County Planning Commission voted 7-2 not to recommend the approval of four more camping sites to a “glamping” location next to the town of Monument.

A portmanteau of “glamourous” and “camping,” glamping is an outdoor accommodation with more amenities than a regular tent experience. Chris Jeub, co-owner of Monument Glamping, said that his business was unique in El Paso County and by its nature hard to plan.

“Glamping changes very quickly as far as structures and how well the structures do in the market,” he said.

The 6.4 acre site currently has six tents, a “tiny home” converted shipping container and a large fifth-wheel recreational vehicle for short-term rental. Some residents of the semi-rural neighborhood nearby contended that Monument Glamping only notified them that there would be tents.

Two previous complaints and county code enforcement cases have been lodged against the site on a residential lot just outside the Monument city limits. It currently operates on a special use permit approved by the county.

Some planning commissioners in attendance said they found the previous practices of the business dishonest when it came to the county approval process.

“I want an explanation of why we are doing something and asking for forgiveness later,” said commissioner Becky Fuller.

Jeub said that the four new units are needed to keep the site profitable. He said that since he was still unsure what structures would work best for the market, he did not know whether the four would be more tents or more permanent dwellings like the container home on the property.

Chris Maciejewski, a lawyer representing some of the neighbors, said that Jeub was requesting “open ended approval” for more than seasonally-occupied camping sites.

Several commissioners agreed, saying that the plan did not fit the character of the area. Chair Thomas Bailey dissented and said that the intended use did fit within the county’s guidelines for approval.

The proposal will next be heard for approval or rejection at a June 27 El Paso County Board of Commissioners meeting.