The Las Cruces Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Coyote Run Subdivision master plan and preliminary plat, a mixed-use proposal that would create nonresidential and large-lot residential tracts and extend local roadways.

John Castillo, planner with the Community Development Department, presented the proposal and said the site is an undeveloped parcel of approximately 25.05 acres located about 642 feet west of the intersection of Thurman Road/Angler Road and Longview Lane/Settlers Pass. Castillo described current zoning as a mix of single-family (R-1A/R-1B) and multi-dwelling and commercial zones (R-2/R-3/R-4/C-M), and said the property sits inside a suburban neighborhood place type surrounded predominantly by single-family development.

Castillo said the master plan proposes three primary parcels: Parcel 1, a 3.07-acre tract recommended for a C-2 (nonresidential) zoning designation; Parcels 2 and 3, totaling 18.81 acres, proposed for R-1A large-lot residential development; and an additional parcel to accommodate dedicated right-of-way for a future roadway (Coyote Loop) and an extension of Thurman Road/Angler Road. The Development Review Committee (DRC) reviewed the subdivision on Aug. 20, 2025, and recommended approval with a single condition tied to parkland dedication and fees in lieu.

At the hearing the record showed a discrepancy in the staff memo's wording about the DRC condition: the memo initially stated that if the master plan did not receive approval by Dec. 31, 2025, the developer would not be required to dedicate parkland or pay a fee. Applicant representative Anton Magallanes and staff agreed the intended effect is the opposite: if the master plan is not approved by Dec. 31, 2025, then the developer would be required to dedicate parkland or pay the in-lieu fee per Realize Las Cruces. Staff confirmed that clarification on the record.

Commissioners also discussed when Realize Las Cruces standards would apply. Castillo explained that projects approved before Jan. 1, 2026, may proceed under the prior (2001) code subject to the agreed condition; if the master plan is not approved before that date, the applicant must comply with Realize Las Cruces parkland requirements at the time of development. Castillo told the commission that otherwise the preliminary plat and master plan comply with subdivision code and the new development code's standards for lot sizes and roadway dedications.

One member of the public, Eugene Hanley, spoke in favor of approval. Hanley said the proposed large lots meet demand from retirees seeking larger parcels and warned that delaying approval would raise development costs that would be passed to buyers.

After discussion the commission voted to approve both the master plan and the preliminary plat (items 8.3 and 8.4) based on staff findings and the DRC-recommended condition; the votes were recorded as unanimous.