Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – September 23, 2026

The Planning and Zoning Commission met on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers (1000 Central Avenue) with a hybrid Zoom option. Chair Karen Easton called the meeting to order; a quorum was present (Commissioners Easton, Hampton, Best, Brown, Bruell, Chrien, Grimm, Nelson; absent: White). The meeting included approval of routine items, a public hearing on a variance request, and a presentation on the draft Comprehensive Plan Update.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Chrien moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Commissioner Bruell. The motion passed 7‑0 (Commissioner Nelson abstained on the minutes later, but for agenda all voted yes).
• Approval of August 12, 2026 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Chrien moved to approve the minutes as presented; seconded by Commissioner Easton. Motion passed 7‑0 with one abstention (Commissioner Nelson abstained).

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (non‑agenda items): No comments were made.
• Variance Public Hearing (VAR‑2026‑0020): No members of the public offered testimony. Only the applicant and staff presented under oath.
• Comprehensive Plan Update Presentation: Several community members spoke during the public comment period, primarily opposing the proposed “conservation residential” land‑use concept and voicing strong support for preserving existing open space. Key speakers included:
  • Craig Martin (steering committee member, 3100 Arizona): Stated that open space is “sacred” to the community; opposed any development on open space; urged that housing be built on already‑available infill sites.
  • Barbara Caleb (steering committee member): Expressed shock at the late release of the draft and the inclusion of conservation residential, calling it an “oxymoron”; asked that the concept be deleted from the plan.
  • Cheryl Kuskey (35‑year resident): Opposed converting open space to residential, citing the need to protect water resources and prioritise renovation of existing neighbourhoods.
  • Jody Benson (Denver Steels resident): Suggested that LANL should build dorms for its workers rather than developing open space.
  • Irene Powell (downtown resident): Noted that many new apartments appear half‑empty and that existing infill sites should be used first; opposed development along the golf course.
  • Ms. Peck (online): Raised concerns about erroneously rezoned open space parcels (e.g., Pinyon Park) and questioned the plan’s measure of progress (land value increases) as undermining affordability.
  • Mr. Tigner (online): Criticised the lack of current vacancy and building‑permit data; argued the 1.4% open‑space statistic is misleading; questioned growth projections from LANL.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Variance VAR‑2026‑0020:

  • Staff Presentation: Danyelle Valdez, Planning Manager, presented the request by Bryan Laubscher (property owner) for a variance from the minimum lot‑area requirement in the RM‑2 Zone District to allow Lot 278 (14,525 sq ft at 2071 North Road) to be split into two lots. Proposed Lot 278A (7,643 sq ft, vacant) meets the 6,500‑sq‑ft minimum for single‑family; Lot 278B (6,882 sq ft, containing an existing duplex) is 3,118 sq ft short of the 10,000‑sq‑ft minimum for duplex/townhouse. Staff found all six variance criteria satisfied; the related Summary Plat (SUM‑2026‑0015) was reviewed by IDRC with no concerns.
  • Applicant Statement: Bryan Laubscher affirmed that the hardship is inherent due to the existing duplex and site configuration.
  • Commission Questions: None.
  • Public Hearing: No testimony from other parties.
  • Decision: Commissioner Bruell moved to approve the variance as presented, with a second by Commissioner Chrien. The motion passed unanimously (7‑0). The Chair was authorised to sign the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.

• Presentation of Draft Comprehensive Plan Update by czb, LLC:

  • Consultant Overview (Peter Lombardi and Thomas Eddington): The draft plan was released August 19, 2026, with a comment period extended to September 18. As of that date, 121 individuals submitted feedback. The most common theme was opposition to the “conservation residential” concept (a recommendation to study a new land‑use category for some open‑space parcels). The second most common theme was support for stronger housing‑regulation reforms (e.g., eliminating parking minimums, allowing duplexes/triplexes in more areas). Other feedback addressed process transparency, concerns about growth projections, and language regarding “character” and “unstuck.” The consultants explained that the conservation‑residential idea was intended to explore future housing opportunities after existing infill sites are exhausted, affecting only about 77 acres (1.4% of open space), but acknowledged the concept was poorly communicated.
  • Commission Discussion:
    • Chair Easton emphasised the unique constraints of Los Alamos (expensive land, island geography), the need for diverse housing, and the importance of preserving trails and open space.
    • Commissioner Bruell stated that conservation residential is a “non‑starter” and urged the plan to include specific regulatory reforms such as ending parking mandates, allowing by‑right density, and removing vague language like “neighbourhood character.”
    • Commissioner Crane cautioned about federal budget uncertainties and LANL’s fluctuating workforce, suggesting the county should not take on housing as its sole responsibility.
    • Commissioner Hampton supported the plan’s aspirations but called for a regulatory section with specific reforms (parking minimums, ADUs, setbacks, lot sizes) and recommended dropping the conservation‑residential concept; he also suggested including a West Downtown MRA.
    • Commissioner Grimm stressed that the plan needs to treat open space, neighbourhoods, and centres as an integrated network; the current draft makes them too independent.
  • Staff Clarification: County Manager Anne Laurent provided background on three specific parcels (White Rock library hill, golf‑course north side, south of NM‑502) that had been erroneously zoned and could be addressed through future lot splits and rezonings, a process alluded to in the comprehensive plan.

Key Outcomes

• Variance VAR‑2026‑0020: Approved unanimously (7‑0), allowing the lot split at 2071 North Road with dimensional relief for Lot 278B. The Chair will sign the final findings.
• Comprehensive Plan Update: The Commission directed the consultants to incorporate the feedback received, including removal of the conservation‑residential concept and addition of specific housing‑regulatory reforms. The next meeting to review a revised draft will be held on October 7, 2026 at the White Rock Fire Station (6:00 PM). The final recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled for November 18, 2026.
• Other Reports: Council Liaison Suzie Havemann reported on the August 4 County Council work session, which included recognition of the Fire Department’s Phoenix Award, a presentation on wildfire‑insurance mitigation, updates from the Health Council, and introductions of ordinances for economic‑development projects at Pig & Fig and Nam Bay Drugs.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM.