Commission defers Algodones Distillery zone‑change request after lengthy public hearing

The Planning and Zoning Commission deferred consideration of ZNCH‑25‑006, a zone‑map amendment request by Gregory R. McAllister (Algodones Distillery LLC) to change 15 Calle Alfredo in Algodones from Rural Residential Agricultural (RRA) to Special Use (SU) to align zoning with the property’s operation as a licensed craft distillery that hosts tours, tastings, limited retail sales and periodic private events.

Applicant Greg McAllister said the distillery received federal and state licensure in 2013 and that county staff at the time advised the operation was acceptable in the property’s zoning during the licensure process. He described making the capital investment to build a separate distillery structure and operating a regulated business for more than a decade. McAllister’s attorney, Cam Culbreth, cited New Mexico statutes enabling craft distilleries and argued distilleries have the same privileges as…