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Council allows commercial truck parking permit and a concrete-paver variance at 11541 Didinger Road
Summary
The Socorro City Council approved a conditional use permit allowing commercial truck parking at a single-family property on Didinger Road and, contrary to staff recommendation, granted a variance permitting concrete pavers instead of a continuous concrete slab.
Socorro — The Socorro City Council on June 5 approved a conditional use permit for commercial truck parking at 11541 Didinger Road and also approved a variance allowing concrete pavers rather than the concrete slab normally required for such parking.
Applicant and request: Property owner Luis Lopez asked the council for a conditional use permit to allow commercial truck parking on the r-1 zoned parcel and for a variance from the city’s supplemental-regulation requirement that truck parking be placed on a concrete slab. Lopez told the council he had limited funds and asked to use concrete pavers; "The city city ordinance does not state that you cannot use concrete pavers," Lopez said at the meeting.
Staff position and planning commission: City planning staff recommended approving the conditional use permit but denying the variance. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval of the conditional use permit and denial of the variance at its May 6 meeting.
Council action and rationale: Councilmembers debated precedent concerns and code clarity. Some members expressed concern that allowing pavers would set a precedent because the code currently requires a concrete slab but does not specify thickness or other slab details. The council ultimately approved both the conditional use permit and the variance by voice vote; the motion passed with three votes in favor and two opposed. Councilmembers who opposed the variance warned staff to return with ordinance language specifying concrete slab standards so future approvals are consistent.
Next steps: Staff said the city will pursue code amendments to clarify slab specifications and general driveway/parking-surface standards. The applicant will obtain required permits for the paving work and must comply with building-permit procedures before commencing construction.
What to watch: Council members asked staff to return with legislative amendments to specify material and thickness so the ordinance is implemented consistently in future conditional-use cases.
