Planning panel approves multiple Socorro Logistics Center rezonings, plats and height variances

The Socorro Planning and Zoning Commission on March 3 approved a master plan resubmission and multiple plats and variances to expand industrial development in the Socorro Logistics Center.

City planner Judith Rodriguez told the commission the package covers the master plan resubmission for the Socorro Logistics Center (units 1'3 and additional tracks) and detailed preliminary and final plats for Units 5, 6 and 7. She said staff "recommends approval of the master plan resubmission" and recommended approval of each preliminary/final plat and related variances to allow a 50-foot maximum building height where the code limit is 45 feet (section 46-451).

The master plan resubmission covers roughly 316 acres of property held by Socorro Logistics Land entities and represented in the hearing by CEA Group; staff described the parcels as presently vacant or industrial and said the future land use map designates the area as industrial-commercial mixed use. For Track 5 specifically (an 18.91-acre lot on Socorro Distribution Drive owned by Van LIDLTD and represented by Socar Logistics Land 2, LLC), staff recommended rezoning from A-1 agricultural to ICMUD (industrial-commercial mixed use) and a variance to allow a 50-foot building height to accommodate distribution and warehouse uses.

Commissioners asked few substantive questions during the presentations. After the staff presentations, Commissioner Andrea Arroyos moved to approve the Track 5 rezoning and variance and to approve the master plan resubmission and the preliminary and final plats for Units 5, 6 and 7 with staff recommendations; the motions were seconded and each motion "carried," with the clerk announcing the vote as in favor and no nays or abstentions.

Votes at a glance
- Rezoning and variance for Track 5 (A-1 to ICMUD; variance to 50-foot height): motion made by Andrea Arroyos, seconded, outcome: approved, vote: unanimous (ayes recorded).
- Socorro Logistics Center master plan resubmission: motion made, seconded, outcome: approved, vote: unanimous (ayes recorded).
- Unit 5 preliminary and final plat (approx. 33.3 acres): approved, unanimous.
- Unit 6 preliminary/final plat and variance (approx. 42.74 acres; 50-foot height): approved, unanimous.
- Unit 7 preliminary/final plat and variance (approx. 35.28 acres; 50-foot height): approved, unanimous.

Why it matters
The approvals clear key steps for expanding industrial and distribution facilities along Socorro Distribution Drive and adjacent tracks in Block 5 of Socorro Grama, moves that could bring construction and new warehouse space to the area. The height variances (from 45 to 50 feet) were requested so buildings can accommodate typical distribution operations.

What happens next
Staff and the applicants will proceed with final engineering and permitting for the approved plats and rezoning changes. Commissioners did not place additional conditions beyond staff recommendations; no public opposition was recorded during the hearings.

Sources and provenance
The article is based on the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting transcript for March 3, 2026; primary presentation and recommendation statements are attributed to Judith Rodriguez, planner with the City of Socorro (see meeting timeline entries beginning SEG 057).