Ridgeline Manufacturing seeks conditional use permit for small manufacturing shop on 67-acre Santa Fe County parcel

Santa Fe County staff recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a small manufacturing operation to be located on a 67.1-acre parcel in the residential estate zoning with a rural commercial overlay.

Brianna Ortega, a development review specialist, presented case number 255040 on behalf of staff. The applicants, listed as Mathias and Megan Roybal, propose to construct a 2,800-square-foot accessory structure to operate manufacturing that would produce metal and plastic parts (the application cited CNC machining) and to use a second-floor office. Ortega said the applicants stated there would be one nonresident employee initially and primarily deliveries would be handled through parcel services; operating hours were listed as Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Staff told the hearing that the use is allowed as a conditional use in the rural commercial overlay per the SLDC and that building and development services staff found the proposal meets the code's CUP criteria and design standards.

Ortega said staff discovered grading had begun without a development permit during a site visit on March 4, 2025, and that the applicants had provided a shared-well agreement and will require a separate commercial well permit from the State Engineer. Ortega also said the applicants had submitted materials in which they listed different potential employee counts; the TAC meeting initially listed one employee but application materials mentioned the possibility of up to 10 employees in the future.

On the record, the hearing officer asked Ortega whether any public comments had been received; Ortega said none were submitted. Ortega read staff recommendations and asked permission to enter conditions into the record; the hearing officer granted that request. Ortega said building and development services and Santa Fe County Fire provided review comments supportive of approval subject to conditions and compliance with state requirements.

No applicant appeared in person or online to speak at the hearing. The hearing officer said she will prepare a recommended order within 15 business days; staff documents indicate the Santa Fe County Planning Commission may hold a public hearing on the matter on May 15, 2025.

Questions at the hearing sought clarification of technical items. The hearing officer asked what a CNC machine is; Ortega explained it is a computerized mill/lathe that produces parts from CAD drawings. The hearing officer also asked about a discrepancy in listed employees; Ortega said the applicants initially stated one employee in a TAC meeting but later indicated they might have up to 10 employees in the future. Ortega confirmed a commercial well permit will still be required for the proposed additional well near the building.

Because the applicant did not appear, no oral testimony from the applicants was taken at the hearing. The record consists of the staff report, site photos, and submitted exhibits. The hearing officer will issue a recommended order in 15 business days; the Planning Commission may consider the application on May 15, 2025.