Doña Ana County planning commission approves rezoning for small RV park on Dusty Lane

Doña Ana County planning staff and commissioners on the Planning and Zoning Commission conditionally approved a request to rezone 375 Dusty Lane from T3 to T4 to allow a small RV park with EV charging and food‑truck parking.

The approval, for case Z25‑011, came after a staff presentation outlining the site plan and required permits and a brief exchange with the applicant about phasing and restroom requirements. Staff recommended conditional approval with requirements that access to Thorpe Road (New Mexico 320) receive a New Mexico Department of Transportation driveway permit, that Dusty Lane be closed to regular access because of its proximity to the intersection, and that a crash gate be provided for emergency use; the motion included a condition requiring on‑site turn radii for RVs.

The applicant said the proposed RV park would have five RV spaces, a restroom/shower facility, four electric charging stations and food‑truck parking. The applicant confirmed restroom facilities must be installed in phase one. County staff noted water service is available from the Doña Ana Mutual Domestic Water Company and that existing infrastructure has capacity for the proposed use. Planning staff said 31 notices were mailed and one email of opposition was received.

Commissioners questioned the proposed secondary access and asked how it would be controlled; the County fire marshal told the commission the secondary access is intended as an emergency access and described a crash‑gate arrangement that emergency vehicles could use. The applicant said the Dusty Lane outlet has a steep grade and that the developer would install measures such as a gate to deter routine use.

Commissioner Lear moved, Commissioner Czerniak seconded, and the commission approved the conditional rezoning by roll call (Odonga, Lear, Fisher, Acosta, Czerniak and Chair Zarges voting yes). The conditions recorded in the motion were: NM DOT driveway permit for access to Thorpe Road; prohibition of regular access to Dusty Lane except where a crash gate provides emergency access; and provision of on‑site turn radii for RVs.

The decision does not authorize specific commercial tenants or detailed site improvements beyond the zoning change; those details and any required permits (driveway permit, building permits, wastewater approvals and UDC compliance for RV parks) will be addressed during the development review and permitting process.