Las Cruces Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - July 28, 2026
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Las Cruces Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - July 28, 2026
The Las Cruces Planning and Zoning Commission met on July 28, 2026, at 6 PM, chaired by Crystal Downs. The meeting focused on the approval of the Lomita subdivision preliminary plat, a proposal to subdivide a 2.324-acre vacant lot into nine residential lots. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the plat after hearing public concerns about traffic and high-tension power lines, and discussing access constraints and parkland dedication fees.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Robert Hull (area resident): Raised concern about high-tension power lines adjacent to the property, questioning potential hazards and legal setbacks. He noted the power company has a right-of-way but requested consideration.
- Michael Ford (354 Salapec Boulevard): Expressed concern about traffic being "dumped onto" Salapec Boulevard from the proposed nine-lot cul-de-sac, noting barriers to a second access due to Tortugas Pueblo.
- Charlie Trigo: Supported the subdivision but asked the city to consider traffic calming measures such as speed bumps on Salapec Boulevard, which he described as a "raceway."
Discussion Items
- Lomita Subdivision Preliminary Plat (Item 7.1): Staff (John Cassio) presented the proposal to subdivide one tract into nine residential lots (0.138–0.201 acres each) under the NH-1S zoning. The plat meets minimum lot frontage (27.26 ft) and includes utility extensions. The Development Review Committee recommended approval on July 1, 2026. A cul-de-sac was chosen over a through street to the north because the adjacent roadway (Tepayaka Street) lies outside city jurisdiction, would require costly upgrades to county standards, and would conflict with a cemetery. The applicant (Steve Green, under oath) confirmed that a connection was not feasible due to widening costs and county requirements.
- Parkland Dedication: The applicant will pay a fee of $3,718.56 per lot (total ~$33,467) in lieu of providing on-site parkland, as the lot is under the three-acre minimum for city acceptance. Funds will go toward improving nearby Salapec Park, which is less than a quarter mile away.
- Traffic Analysis: Commissioner Kaiser asked about traffic flow and the need for a three-way stop at the egress onto Salapec Boulevard. Staff stated that a trip generation study would be conducted during construction drawing review, and that mitigation would be considered if warranted. The median on Salapec will be modified to allow left turns out of the subdivision.
- High-Tension Power Lines: The applicant confirmed there is an existing easement for power lines and that analysis was included in preliminary planning.
- Commissioner Request for Elevate Data: Commissioner Kaiser asked staff to compile data on building permits, ADUs, duplexes, and triplexes since the adoption of the Elevate Las Cruces Comprehensive Plan. Staff agreed to prepare a presentation at the end of the year.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Item 7.1 (Lomita Subdivision Preliminary Plat): Motion to approve carried unanimously (4–0): Commissioners Smith, Kaiser, Acosta, and Chair Downs all voted yes.
- Staff Announcements: Staff noted the commission is short two members, but upcoming months will feature heavier agendas with larger subdivisions, preliminary plats, and special use permits.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by unanimous voice vote after Commissioner Kaiser’s request for future data.
Meeting Transcript
You're live. Good evening. I'm going to call the order, call to order the July 28, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission at 6 PM. I am Chair Crystal Downs. First on the agenda is the conflict of interest. Does any member of the commission or any member of the city staff have any known conflict with any item on the agenda? Seeing none, we're going to move on to public participation. At this time, I would invite anyone from the public to come up and speak on anything that is not on the agenda under new business. If you would like to speak on any item on the consent agenda, please do so now. You will have three minutes, and please state your name for the record. Does anyone have anything they'd like to share? Okay. Seeing none. Next we have the acceptance of the agenda. By voting to approve the acceptance of the agenda as presented. We will be approving the minutes from our last minute meeting and the items on the consent agenda, unless a commissioner wis is wishes to remove a case from the consent agenda, and then we can vote on that amended agenda. Madam Chair. Commissioner Coast, I'd like to make a motion to proceed forward, please. Thank you. Oh, second. Thank you. Okay, this is on the well. This is on the motion to accept the agenda. Commissioner Smith. Yes. Commissioner Kaiser. Yes. Commissioner Costa. Yes. And Chair. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Um moving on to new business. Item seven point one. Can I have a motion to approve item seven point one, please? I make a motion to approve item seven point one. I second. Thank you. Staff. Good evening, Commissioner. Uh John Cassio for the record. Today we have uh Lomita subdivision, a preliminary plot. Uh so today uh we're gonna review. Um the review is limited to the Lomita subdivision preliminary plot. Uh the planning and zoning commission's role is to act upon to either approve or disapprove the preliminary plot. And discussions need to focus on subdivision compliance layout, access, utility extensions, and connectivity. The current conditions of the property, it's located approximately eight hundred and fifty-five feet uh from the intersection of Salapec Boulevard and Stern Drive. Uh the lot itself encompasses approximately two point uh two point three two four acres.
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