Socorro planning panel rezones 11631 Riverside Road to allow quadruplex after public concerns

The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Socorro on July 15 approved a rezoning of Lot 4 and Lot 12 in El Gran Via Subdivision, 11631 Riverside Road, from R‑1 (single‑family residential) to R‑2 (medium‑density residential) to allow construction of a quadruplex (two duplex buildings).

Staff planner Jose Otello said the parcel totals 20,020 square feet, is currently vacant, and appears as suburban residential on the future land‑use map. Otello said the El Gran Valle subdivision contains 135 R‑1 lots and eight existing R‑2 lots; staff recommended approval of the rezoning. Applicant‑owners Alejandro Jimenez and Carlos Barragan said they purchased the lot because its size allows two duplexes (10,000 square feet per duplex is the applicable sizing), and presented site plans showing two buildings facing each other with a gated central courtyard and parking at the front.

Resident Ruth Vasquez, who said her mother lives adjacent to the site, urged the commission to explain how the rezoning and quadruplex would affect neighborhood taxes, parking, noise and security. Otello and other staff members explained that the Planning and Zoning Commission does not set tax rates; property valuation and tax assessments are determined by the El Paso Central Appraisal District and other taxing entities. Vasquez and other neighbors said they feared increased traffic, strangers parking near homes, and a loss of the neighborhood’s quiet character.

Applicant Carlos Barragan told the commission the design excludes side access doors, places tenant outdoor space in a central courtyard to limit noise toward neighbors, and includes perimeter screening and a security wall. Barragan and Jimenez said they would run credit and background checks, execute written leases with nuisance clauses, and consider a gate or additional screening if needed. The applicants said the plans cost approximately $11,600 to prepare and that they evaluated nearby multifamily properties when deciding to buy the lot.

Commission discussion covered subdivision history, existing R‑2 parcels in the subdivision, the option to subdivide the 20,020‑square‑foot lot into two separate 10,000‑square‑foot lots if needed, and enforcement options available through leases and code enforcement. Commissioners also noted constituents may raise the issue again at the city council hearing; Otello confirmed the rezoning will proceed to city council for final action.

Commissioner Enrique Cisneros moved to approve the rezoning; Andrew Arroyos seconded, and the motion carried.