Commission clears KOA expansion by rezoning 11.8 acres to C2 for additional RV spaces

Doña Ana County commissioners approved a rezoning (Z25-006) on June 27 that allows the KOA campground on West Picacho (off Weinreich Road) to expand. The commission voted to change 11.81 acres from DM (mobile home park) to C2 (community commercial) to permit an additional 14 RV spaces and related site improvements.

Staff noted the KOA has operated at the site since the 1960s and that prior zoning classifications under older ETZ standards evolved into DM under the current Unified Development Code. The owner told the commission the campground was purchased about four years ago and that occupancy and revenue have increased under current management. The conceptual expansion plan presented to the commission showed a dedicated entrance for the new spaces and indicated the owner has already undertaken pre-application meetings with county engineering, the fire marshal and flood control to identify required road, drainage and fire-lane improvements.

Staff found the requested C2 zoning appropriate given the site's longstanding commercial use, the presence of nearby commercial and industrial businesses on Weinreich and Picacho corridors, and the scale of the proposed expansion. County reviewers will require the applicant to meet applicable drainage, road and fire-protection standards and to pave or otherwise improve the park’s internal circulation and the expansion entrance as part of permit approvals.

The commission’s vote approved the rezoning with the understanding that engineering, fire and other agency reviews will govern final design and construction permits. No written opposition was recorded at the hearing and the applicant addressed commissioners’ questions about site maintenance and neighborhood relations.