[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6253479,"mediaKeyId","3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc","parentId",3180723,"title","Council adopts small budget amendment reducing expenditures by $1,200","audioSeconds",46,"startMs",2734000,"endMs",2780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc&start=2734&end=2780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc/thumbnail_2734000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253479/Socorro-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Council-adopts-small-budget-amendment-reducing-expenditures-by-1200","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253479-1063d0dd0a6e6fa7c7c140b358ca9d92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118287&Signature=C--GT67kUcThF7kHKtVpQZP1B6oWu2VI~hijqrpupnOM1BsHbyIQVEuO03Bn~m4Pa0e1~ayxgkp3QFVOiqBge55-Ix3-WwGbpCSZfFy-XwM6XminQK9TBl5YhMggJ0EzOIB4uStkP5uF-ZNw3AGzVIywMDNiuQuZlSPZ51vR168vvlsv14YT0LKsi5ECgbVipkFpi0YBYyHht~sz7glbbZScj35a7--bQKTrtSqbV4jLrmAj1pee0c7HPm0~f62cdR1V~iI-dWbLbQAJc3LwXcnEW2he1gs47A~p0ShEoc6WkyYzlCKq57YeuPDWCr5l0tlvMl2LWSzyybhY81ouKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Socorro TX","date","2025-05-02T17:02:09.65Z","article","Socorro City Council adopted Ordinance 635, Amendment No. 1, on second reading Tuesday to decrease expenditures for the 2024–25 fiscal year by $1,200.

City Manager Adriana Roberta explained the amendment is the first budget amendment of the fiscal year and that the backup materials outline which line items increase and which decrease. Roberta said staff was available to answer questions; none were raised during the council discussion.

The council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance on a voice vote. No public speakers addressed the item during the public hearing.

Why it matters: the amendment adjusts municipal budget line items to account for minor changes in expenditures; the decrease is small and was explained in staff backup materials.

Next steps: the amendment is adopted as presented and staff will implement the line-item changes shown in the backup documents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Socorro: City Council Meeting, May 01, 2025 @ 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Council adopted the second reading of Ordinance 635 Amendment No. 1 to decrease expenditures by $1,200 for fiscal year 2024–25. City manager Adriana Roberta said the backup shows line-item increases and decreases; no council questions were recorded.","taxTitle","Socorro City, El Paso County, Texas","taxId",51022,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6253484,"Council grants truck-parking permit for near–half-acre Santa Paula property",995,4964000,5959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc&start=4964&end=5959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc/thumbnail_4964000.jpg","/articles/6253484/Socorro-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Council-grants-truck-parking-permit-for-nearhalf-acre-Santa-Paula-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253484-3be7ce24a5e1a9516f06b384605a71e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118288&Signature=dMuSeRUVPLrE6og5lnKEICY9jlVnoVxV0HS9jUT6FjYYjBbtwZ2GAUfT0lTN8aUPSQpggit8LWf7ScuulwfPSUDYc4Xn2rzjeZdm7ExnIc2GtfAvKW86-8Fnq4prVCnY5ABMCX7nxn3iU6BVsRMhlEsgcanouIKJVtle1~~t-762mLgtpew5Ah6pwRXc25k7b-sjsvsmXwz7nsBoR-le-xiaH8i2ca1WvNvnvl3GbCD~s5lfJGSdsCcd-cxknuuOHrWgUBN56FgFwW3lOW9llR0en0wIJDnk-SWqVLmJFZeXiNdi-VeBSiaz6xdZLILXl09tBBW68rm5ggcXrQmI~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Socorro City Council approved a conditional use permit and a related variance Tuesday allowing a resident to park a single commercial truck on a 0.459-acre R‑1 lot at 155 Santa Paula Drive.

Senior city planner Lorraine Quimito described the request: the lot is 0.459 acres (just under the municipal half-acre threshold) and the applicant, Jose Alcala, presented photographs showing an existing concrete slab where the vehicle would be parked. Quimito said the future land use map designates the area as suburban residential. Planning staff recommended approval but the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny the request unanimously at its April 1 meeting; staff told council the commission cited concerns about setting precedent.

Council members discussed the ordinance’s purpose — to allow individual truck owners who must park their vehicles at home to have reasonable protections while preventing commercial truck-storage clusters — and enforcement of other apparent unpermitted truck parking in the community. Staff said code enforcement would follow up on other properties if violations are reported.

The ordinance contains operational conditions referenced in the discussion: the vehicle must be parked on a concrete slab, idling is limited (the transcript references a 15-minute idling limit), and only one vehicle is allowed per lot. On those grounds the council voted to approve the application; a motion to approve passed on the council floor.

Why it matters: the council balanced a resident’s need to park a work vehicle at home against neighborhood concerns about unregulated truck storage and precedent. The decision hinged on compliance with specific operational conditions and the applicant’s proximity to the half-acre requirement.

Next steps: the applicant may proceed under the conditional use permit and must comply with requirements (concrete slab, idling limit, one vehicle per lot). Staff indicated they will continue to investigate other possible violations in the community and enforce code where necessary.","Jose Alcala received a conditional use permit and variance to park one commercial truck on a 0.459-acre R‑1 lot at 155 Santa Paula Drive; the council discussed the ordinance’s half-acre threshold, enforcement of other unpermitted truck parking and conditions such as concrete slab and idling limits.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6253487,"Council rezones property on North Nevarez Road for self-storage development",745,4155000,4900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc&start=4155&end=4900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc/thumbnail_4155000.jpg","/articles/6253487/Socorro-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Council-rezones-property-on-North-Nevarez-Road-for-self-storage-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253487-36db40628880e70e2a70b1d51137e124/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118288&Signature=mNRn8z3GTPojSUORi3f4JbWcOQjCunvGsIyqupNhZCepvAbVjgB3gGSoT6AZXVozemS47QqoxCXba9~mqT0hqQWYfCGE5nZwIymPQz0l9-JUrszN4gDPgw7n6Kf4frfX1xF-4u681nTZI3B~hmJYQ67qP85kUI64uYOEqz5Et5WxF0hnO47mks2MXOre9CRpHGebGu-ET4qiqbkMUqaj~h~C6NfekAfXFv0zn~J3MZafiRScI78yDJPyCa2KwhbhE3enoTQH-dm3ME~cEc7845tWYJhNhYKg1robV9dFFumVS72jdf6rZRe82ehP40BkPposZ5Hvphv87jYpKQrscQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Socorro City Council approved rezoning a 5.82-acre parcel at 270 North Nevarez Road from agricultural to C-2 general commercial to permit a self-storage facility.

Senior city planner Lorraine Quimito told the council the applicant, Bridail Cauca Mendoza, proposed a 43,000-square-foot self-storage project on vacant land that includes some existing outbuildings and had previously received notice-of-violation work that has since been cleaned. Quimito said the city’s future land use map recommends industrial/commercial/mixed use for the area. Staff recommended approval and the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously in favor with four members present.

Council members discussed visual impacts and nearby properties that currently operate as scrap yards. Quimito noted the city is finalizing extension plans for Nuevo Hueco Tanks that could affect some parcels and that a pending environmental approval from TxDOT is still required for that larger project.

The rezoning motion passed without recorded opposition. Staff said the proposed site plan meets setback requirements; the applicant said structures on the site would be removed for the storage development.

Why it matters: the rezoning allows commercial development on land previously zoned agricultural and is intended to convert a long-standing eyesore into a regulated use; the Nuevo Hueco Tanks extension and nearby industrial activity could affect final site layout and will be coordinated as projects progress.

Next steps: applicant may proceed with permitting and site work consistent with C-2 standards; staff will coordinate any needed adjustments related to the Hueco Tanks project and pending TxDOT environmental approvals.","The council approved rezoning 5.82 acres at 270 North Nevarez Road from A-1 agricultural to C-2 general commercial to allow a self-storage facility. Staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission supported the change; nearby residents and council members discussed adjacent scrap yards and the Hueco Tanks extension.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6253492,"City Council approves commercial truck parking permit at Alameda site after tie-breaking vote",1266,2884000,4150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc&start=2884&end=4150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc/thumbnail_2884000.jpg","/articles/6253492/Socorro-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/City-Council-approves-commercial-truck-parking-permit-at-Alameda-site-after-tie-breaking-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253492-2a55600f275c06728cc1af7ae4238c39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118288&Signature=cqjNsIMBShKdss2W6wKkmEaFQZlVkJv8AFn7t8Vf0o8pfETT4gfCezH5XlN37exLQd3wwAW-6dLZwFu1WKCYNEl8XKUNZtR8FQe4zG-nqHWqzMSxWTeUX5tgWiOKt71bCfnorLDqrooztzbhDZt9IO0ozTxR9KhTMC5ejxXbUdAip0q53GDCM~kK1bajfPElrAUaIv941ms0GW9lqNTkXSSTivpk09PhhAYju9rd7f5nTTSRdCNJNe3Pg~p839MzMh6j6Elh3PQdtU3bT~jN-uRF~ObR8vHBQFqJRnhJ~786AdW7l6QF-8GCMrQVS2WQDmaXW98rdn3EOAtwv~8hCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Socorro City Council on Tuesday approved a conditional use permit and a variance to allow commercial truck parking at 10950 Alameda Avenue, voting to overturn staff’s recommendation after the Planning and Zoning Commission had approved the requests earlier.

Lorraine Quimito, senior city planner, told the council the 4.36-acre property in C-2 general commercial zoning would provide about 40 commercial vehicle spaces and that the city’s future land use map recommends neighborhood commercial for the area. Quimito said staff had recommended denial; the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve both the conditional use permit and the variance with four members present.

Council members raised repeated concerns about the only access point to the property: a narrow bridge over the Franklin Canal. One council member asked whether the bridge could carry the weight and whether emergency vehicles could reach residents if the bridge were blocked. Quimito said the city had consulted TxDOT about bridge inspections and that TxDOT performs inspections; staff later clarified that the bridge is city-owned and that the city would be responsible for repair if it were damaged.

Council discussion also addressed the existing city signage restricting commercial truck traffic. A council member asked whether approving the permit would require removing the “no commercial trucks” posting; staff said the signs could be removed and the city could add this location to permitted routes.

Outcome and caveats: the council vote was initially split, with two nays and two ayes; Mayor Rudy Cruz broke the tie by voting in favor, and the motion carried. The council did not attach new bridge-strengthening conditions on the record; staff noted the city would be responsible for bridge maintenance if the bridge were damaged.

Why it matters: the approval allows commercial truck parking on a site adjacent to residential properties and waives the masonry-fence requirement (variance to section 46-637). Council members flagged potential safety and access issues tied to a single-entry bridge but approved the permit to support the applicant and local business activity.

Next steps: the applicant may proceed with the site plan and fence construction as approved by Planning and Zoning; staff and council discussed possible signage and traffic controls to limit truck movement into residential streets.","The council approved a conditional use permit and a variance to allow commercial truck parking at 10950 Alameda Avenue, despite staff recommending denial and council concerns about a nearby bridge and emergency access. Planning and Zoning had endorsed the requests.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6253497,"Socorro leaders and residents press for faster safety work as TxDOT outlines road projects",1320,1326000,2646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc&start=1326&end=2646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3180723-b8044329506338e631e1f49e41dc29dc/thumbnail_1326000.jpg","/articles/6253497/Socorro-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Socorro-leaders-and-residents-press-for-faster-safety-work-as-TxDOT-outlines-road-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253497-0b514f0cf9151d4371978320aae0e27a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118288&Signature=clBHT9etCkl4dh~xR~7buyUfPLGg9OxrmAXkd~0bdtYbXFNOtcijW12Kxd2aeicPA6o2khNbQbqR-arRVk4vJyFAiioyZSsxZ6adsVZpLkYhygZEhBTXiIPefDipeStVBEr8RIu0Lu~6hjX0DUMDsPL8TGJQKM5oHSU-sJ~4UCJBjiC3iwhFqNvinl5mDvkpgiQN6Zy~cRms3tc9LvRRT5HKii4mzpOuw3KipidkTbJ0dQLiXs5erXQWhtGWPc88NpzswBO7h6DYU1Q1zhmpQcUOwrOPDLjzJbRrtC3E507szsa37v-9bWuoHynd1nfAj3NXAVX9cP~ltUkuvOlVPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Socorro resident urged the City Council on Tuesday to speed safety fixes after repeated crashes through her elderly mother’s fence, while city staff reviewed a list of Texas Department of Transportation projects and studies planned for Socorro Road and nearby corridors.

The public comment came from Patsy Nelson, who said cars often run a curve near her mother’s house at 10228 Socorro Road and repeatedly damage the property. “My mom’s an elderly lady. She’s on a very limited income,” Nelson said. She said collisions have happened “about maybe 23” times over the years and described a recent crash while the family was at a hospital bedside.

The council then reviewed a presentation of TxDOT projects provided to the city. A city staff member summarized completed and future work: completed speed-limit reductions and corridor studies (February 2022), signal retiming on Socorro Road, Alameda and North Loop, installation of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon on Farm Road 258 (Socorro Road) in Apodaca, LED warning signs, speed feedback signs and striping and markings. Planned work includes a full mill-and-inlay on Socorro Road, roundabouts at Socorro Road and Belen and at Beaufort, raised medians, sidewalks and lighting on Rio Vista Road, and safety improvements on Vineyard Drive and Passmore Road. Staff listed project “let” dates ranging from July (this year) to January 2028 for various segments.

City staff told the council the state performs some bridge inspections but also noted that some bridges in the area are city-owned and city-maintained. Staff said the city is working at the Metropolitan Planning Organization level to secure funding so projects won’t come out of the city’s operational budget.

Why it matters: the projects and studies affect safety for residents along Socorro Road and adjacent streets and include physical changes — roundabouts, medians, sidewalks and speed feedback signs — that could reduce crashes where residents have reported repeated damage to private property.

Council members and staff repeatedly acknowledged that Socorro Road is a state highway, limiting the city’s authority to act unilaterally. Staff emphasized the complexity of state funding and environmental reviews that schedule multi-year timelines for construction.

The presentation concluded with staff saying they will continue coordination with TxDOT and the MPO and that some improvements already under contract or completed should arrive in the coming months and years.

City response and next steps: staff said they will continue to pursue funding at the MPO level, coordinate required studies with TxDOT and follow up on resident complaints through police and traffic channels. No formal vote or ordinance resulted from the presentation; the council moved on to other agenda items.","A resident described repeated crashes at a family home on Socorro Road as TxDOT projects and timelines — including roundabouts, signal retiming and speed feedback signs — were presented to Socorro City Council. City staff said the highways are state-owned and that the city is working with TxDOT and the MPO to pursue funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts small budget amendment reducing expenditures by $1,200

Council grants truck-parking permit for near–half-acre Santa Paula property

Council rezones property on North Nevarez Road for self-storage development

City Council approves commercial truck parking permit at Alameda site after tie-breaking vote

Socorro leaders and residents press for faster safety work as TxDOT outlines road projects