Commission approves 8‑foot fence variance for Enriquez Lane property, requires removal of razor/barbed wire where it abuts residences

Doña Ana County planning commissioners voted 4–2 on May 28 to approve a variance allowing a pipe fence to be raised to 8 feet at a JCS Holdings property on Enriquez Lane, provided razor and barbed wire are removed where the fence abuts a residential neighborhood.

Chris Valencia, community‑development staff, reviewed the case (V26‑003) and said building‑services inspectors discovered razor wire on the subject property and advised the agent to apply for a variance. Valencia cited ordinance 35502, which prohibits barbed or razor wire adjacent to residential zoning; staff said the property owner was aware of security issues prior to purchase and that multiple decisional criteria for a variance were not met, recommending denial.

Agent John Satriano and owner representatives argued security needs and said they would remove the razor/ barbed wire on the residential side and could install engineered 8‑foot panels. Satriano described alternatives and said an inspector required removal of the offending section for final inspection.

Commission discussion ranged from safety and aesthetics to alternative measures such as cameras, inward‑bent posts, or opaque panels. Commissioner Fisher moved to approve the 2‑foot variance conditional on removal of razor/barbed wire on the residential side and to allow maintenance of fencing on the other sides; the motion passed 4‑2. Vice Chair Zerniak and Chair Zarges recorded no votes and expressed concerns about aesthetics and the precedent of an 8‑foot panel where neighbors currently have 6‑foot fences.

Staff noted building services may require stamped engineered drawings for the altered fence and emphasized that barbed/razor wire remains prohibited adjacent to residential uses under the UDC.

The variance permits the owner to raise the pipe fence to 8 feet with engineering review but not to keep razor/barbed wire abutting the residential zone.