Planning and Zoning Commission postpones SD25-047 after applicant requests more time for City of Las Cruces driveway permit

The Doña Ana County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to postpone case SD25-047 to the commission's July 9 meeting after the applicant said it was awaiting a driveway-permit decision from the City of Las Cruces.

The request came early in the meeting when the applicant’s representative said the property owner had applied for a driveway permit and was going through a waiver process with the city. The representative said the city’s administrative decision could affect a modification requested as part of the application and asked the commission to defer the matter to allow time for that decision.

The postponement drew an immediate public comment. Resident Daniel Nandez urged commissioners not to delay, saying the item has been before the county for about a year and that repeated postponements force residents to take unpaid time off work to attend hearings. "It makes no sense for them to be postponing — that's just giving them time to see if they can slide things under," Nandez said.

Commission members discussed whether to receive public comment on the motion; the chair allowed comment before the vote. The motion to postpone was made by Commissioner Zernek and seconded by Commissioner Lear. The roll call produced five votes in favor and one opposed: Commissioners Leer, Garcia, Olsen, Vice Chair Zerniac and Chair Zares voted yes; Commissioner Fischer voted no. The commission announced the item would return on July 9.

Why it matters: Postponing an application that involves required city approvals can delay decisions about land use and development and prolong uncertainty for nearby residents and the applicant. The postponement allows the city review to conclude before the county acts.

The commission moved on to other business at the same meeting; the postponed item will be listed on the agenda for the July session.