Bernalillo County upholds parking-variance for PB&J Family Services at 900 Armijo, 4-1

The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 23, 2025, voted 4-1 to deny an appeal and uphold a zoning administrator decision allowing PB & J Family Services to reduce required parking at 900 Armijo Road from 23 spaces to 12 in a variance case (COA2025-002; BA2025-006). Commissioners also voted 5-0 to add documents shown at the hearing, including petition signatures and projected site visuals, to the official record.

The decision affects a county-owned, triangular 0.86-acre site near Isleta Boulevard and a small park in the South Valley where PB & J plans a phased, like-for-like replacement of aging classrooms. Supporters said the move preserves neighborhood services and protects children from interruptions; opponents cited traffic, insufficient parking, and limited neighborhood outreach.

Zoning administrator Maggie Gold told the commission the variance request was tied to the parcel’s shape and access constraints and noted the Board of Adjustment previously upheld the administrator’s decision. “The variance criteria is really tied specifically to things about the parcel itself that are unusual or unique,” Gold said, summarizing the legal standard the commission must apply. The appeal also invoked the county’s “20% rule,” which requires a supermajority where at least 20% of property owners…