Clovis P&Z Commission Meeting: Short-Term Rental & Thornton Street Rename, February 11, 2026
Clovis Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – February 11, 2026
The Clovis Planning and Zoning Commission met on February 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM to consider two agenda items: a conditional use permit for a short-term rental and a proposed street name change for a section of Thornton Street to honor the Alsip family. The meeting included public testimony from multiple speakers, deliberation, and a motion to table the street renaming item.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The commission approved the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion was made by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Sowell, and passed without roll call.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael McCord (Farmers Electric Cooperative): Strongly opposed the Thornton Street name change. He cited the street's historic legacy (named after Territorial Governor William Thornton), confusion for residents and emergency services, and significant financial burdens on businesses (including Farmers Electric, located at 3701 N. Thornton since 1983) and residents (27 affected households). He suggested naming a new street after Alsip instead.
- Unnamed speaker (retired government/military, resident since 1998): Opposed the name change, emphasizing the burden on 27 families—DMV, billing, medical records, VA documentation—and suggested naming a different road (e.g., Will Hight) or a new development after Alsip.
- Shelley Brown (1441 Lexington Road): Opposed, citing additional complications for property records, mortgages, 911, police, fire, and EMT services. Suggested naming a new subdivision or plaza instead.
- Dan Lindsay (attorney for Barbara Alsip): Spoke in favor of renaming the section from 21st Street to Yano Estacado Boulevard to Alsip Boulevard. Highlighted Alsip family contributions: $250,000/year for 20 years to United Way, over 1,000 employees (300+ in Clovis), and community events like Easter egg hunts. Argued the change does not erase history, comparing it to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. He noted that Farmers Electric would not be affected if the change stops at Yano Estacado Boulevard.
- Ian Alsip (grandson, 918 Kern Drive): Expressed support but acknowledged valid concerns from Farmers Electric and residents. Suggested finding a way to make everyone happy and finding the right street.
- Teresa Alsip (daughter, 101 Buena Vista, NM): Supported the rename, proposing a shorter zone to exclude Farmers Electric. She affirmed the family's legacy and requested the commission find a way to honor her mother, Barbara Alsip (age 92).
- Bonnie Valdez (legal assistant, 509 W. 17th St.): Supported the rename, citing Barbara Alsip's private philanthropy including a $1 million donation to University of the Southwest (Hobbs) and sponsorship of drug rehabilitation for community members.
Discussion Items
- Conditional Use Permit – Short-Term Rental: The applicant (unnamed) requested approval for a short-term rental (Airbnb) at 2037 Hull Street (Western Hills Block 2, Lot 26 + 1 foot of Lot 25). Staff (Mr. Perkins) confirmed the property meets UDO standards (RS-7 zone, single-family residential), does not adversely affect neighbors, and that the city is finalizing new short-term rental regulations (annual permit requirement, changing use from conditional to permitted in all zones). The commission approved the permit (motion: Commissioner Martin, second: Commissioner Moore; all ayes).
- Thornton Street Name Change – Public Hearing: The proposal to rename Thornton Street from 21st Street to Yano Estacado Boulevard to Alsip Street (or Boulevard/Avenue) was discussed at length. Staff mailed 65 notices (ending Jan. 9, 2026); received 4 objections from affected residents and 1 outside the area (total 5). Estimated cost for sign replacement is $13,850 (paid by applicant) plus additional costs for residents/businesses. Several speakers opposed the change due to cost and confusion; several spoke in favor, honoring the Alsip family.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Conditional use permit for short-term rental at 2037 Hull Street. Passed unanimously.
- Tabled: Motion by Commissioner Garza, seconded by Commissioner Gurky, to table the Thornton Street name change. Passed unanimously via roll call (7-0). Staff noted that tabling requires a new 30-day notice period and cost of recertifications. Commissioners expressed unanimous respect for the Alsip family and suggested exploring alternative honors (e.g., a park, city hall) rather than the street rename. Staff offered to work with the applicant on other possibilities.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Vice Chair Martin. Here. Commissioner London. Commissioner Moore. Here. Commissioner Garza. Here. Commissioner Sowell. Here. And Commissioner Gurky. Changes. Move it approved. Got a motion by Commissioner Moore. Is there anything uh anybody wants to add to him? You don't have to do a roll call. So move. Second. Motion by Commissioner Garza. Second by Commissioner Sole. Motion pass. Takes about three months. New business. Request for approval for conditional use of short term term rental of Western Hills Block 2, lot 26, plus one foot of lot 25, 2037 Whole Street Clubs, New Mexico. Mr. Perkins. Yeah. Good morning, Chair, co-chairs and other commissioners on the board. Yes, sir. For this one, uh the applicant is requesting a conditional use for short-term rental to be used as a Airbnb. Anybody have any questions, discussion? Is the applicant here? I'm sorry. Anybody from the audience would like to speak to this. And Mr. Chair, just to give you guys a quick update, uh we have finalized our review internally on the language for proposed for the short-term rentals. Uh and so we're just having some further discussions internally, make sure we have it exactly how we want it before bringing it to you guys. Um and so that we will have that uh for the text amendments uh at the next plan and zoning commission meeting. So Mr. Chair. Mr. Martin. So are you saying we should vote on this or we shouldn't vote this until we hear from you? I I don't think anything that that we're proposing is going to change this application. Uh and so any of the the conditions that we're proposing to put on them uh would still be applicable no matter what we do, what action we take today, simply because uh they're still going to be required to apply for a permit and proposed we're proposing that they apply for a permit uh on an annual basis, renewing that. And so anything that we put in that permit requirements they'll still be required to have. Uh we're also proposing to make it a permitted use underneath all of the zones versus a conditional use in all of the zones. So uh like I said, there's nothing that we're doing that you guys would be taking on action today that would impact this applicant in the future once those text amendments are in place. Okay. And additionally, as discussed previous uh with other conditional use uh such as this matter of all city ordinances and stuff still are in effect. So it's not going to change how we implement and and uphold those other standards.
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