Commission approves 11.37‑acre rezoning to allow neighborhood‑serving commercial at Inspiration Heights

Doña Ana County planners and commissioners voted to conditionally rezone 11.37 acres on Holman Road from high‑density residential (D3) to community commercial (C2), a move staff said will provide a commercial buffer to Holman Road and support nearby residential growth.

Staff described the site as three parcels totaling 11.37 acres on the west edge of the Inspiration Heights master plan, noted the property is primarily vacant and identified that Moon Gate Water Company will provide water while wastewater service would be available from the City of Las Cruces. Staff said the change is consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan goals to support nearby small‑scale businesses and keep retail dollars in the county.

Staff recommended conditional approval and asked the commission to use the rezoning as an opportunity to address the subdivision’s connectivity. Planning staff specifically recommended redesigning back‑to‑back cul‑de‑sacs in future phases (phases 5 through 17) to improve roadway and pedestrian connectivity and recommended that the developer provide pedestrian access from specific future phases (phase 9 and/or 13) into the C2 commercial area.

The applicant, represented by Zach Liben of Liben Underwood Engineering and Surveying on behalf of Kenneth and Vicky Thurston (Thurston Revocable Trust) and Moon Gate Water Company, said the master plan already accounts for required stormwater ponding and that final ponding and drainage will be resolved with the county flood commission and during preliminary plat reviews. He said portions of the planned ponding area are not needed after further calculations and that the developer is open to working with staff on connectivity during future preliminary plat submittals.

Commissioners asked about traffic impacts, potential traffic studies (triggered by specific commercial uses), responsibility for maintaining retention ponds (applicant said ponds will remain privately owned, likely under an HOA), and water sufficiency. The applicant said Moon Gate Water Company has planning documentation and water rights approved by the state engineer and that a traffic analysis or driveway improvements would be required for specific commercial uses when those uses apply for development permits.

Commissioner Zerniak moved, Commissioner Lear seconded a motion to conditionally approve case Z25‑008; the motion added two conditions recommended on the record: the applicant will work with staff to improve connectivity (address cul‑de‑sac layout) for phases 5–17, and the applicant will provide access from phase 9 and/or 13 to the C2 commercial property. The motion passed by roll call (all commissioners voting yes). The rezoning approval is conditional; specific commercial uses, driveway locations, and any required traffic or drainage studies will be evaluated at the development or preliminary plat stage.