Council delays Banmore Estates zone‑change after residents raise traffic and notice concerns

The Las Cruces City Council on April 1 voted to table Ordinance 36‑5 (Council Bill 24‑023), a proposed zone change that would remove a single‑story condition on three vacant lots in the Banmore Estates subdivision and allow R‑4 multifamily development, including potential multi‑story buildings up to the R‑4 height limit.

Community Development staff (Adam Ochoa) said the combined parcels total about 2.908 acres, are currently zoned R‑4C (R‑4 conditional) and that the applicant seeks to remove the one‑story height restriction to allow multi‑story apartments. Staff told the council the change aligns with the city’s Elevate Las Cruces plan and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval; staff reported receiving four items in opposition and one in support in the public notice period.

Dozens of nearby residents and neighborhood representatives told the council they received little notice beyond the required 500‑foot mailings, raised traffic and safety concerns on nearby two‑lane stretches of Bounce Road and Stern Drive, and said the earlier 2020 compromise limiting the lots to one story should be honored. Residents asked for clearer signage, an updated traffic analysis and a firm plan from the developer showing the number and type of units proposed.

Mayor Pro Tem Ben Como moved to table the ordinance to the council’s April 15 meeting so the developer and staff can provide additional plans and traffic information. The motion to table passed by recorded roll call, 6–1 (Councillor Flores opposed). Several councilors said they favored hearing the developer and more detailed plans before making a final zoning decision.

The record shows the council entertained options to approve, deny, amend or table the request; the council chose to table pending additional information and developer presence.

Next steps: the council will revisit Ordinance 36‑5 on April 15; staff and the applicant are expected to provide final plans, any updated traffic analyses and a clearer public‑notice plan ahead of that hearing.