Doña Ana County planning commissioners approve 10‑lot Nevada Estates subdivision; neighbors press signage, notification concerns

The Doña Ana County Planning and Zoning Commission on May 8 approved the preliminary plat for the Nevada Estates subdivision, a proposed 10‑lot, roughly 9.44‑acre residential development at Webb Road and Del Rey Boulevard north of Las Cruces.

Commissioner Uranga moved to approve case SD25‑003 and the commission approved the motion unanimously. The approval covers a preliminary plat for 10 residential lots to be known as Nevada Estates.

The approval matters to nearby residents because the subdivision parcels range from about 0.79 acre up to roughly 1 acre, will use underground utilities for electricity, water service from Moon Gate, and on‑site septic systems for wastewater. Staff said Webb Road is county maintained and that the internal roadway will be built to the Unified Development Code standards and turned over to the county after a one‑year warranty period.

Staff member Albert summarized the plat and noted the site is part of the older Elephant Butte Land and Trust subdivision and that the property’s D2L zoning allows for smaller lots if sewer is available; because sewer is not available at the site, lots must meet on‑site wastewater requirements. Albert said 40 notification letters were mailed, a legal notice ran in the Sun News and signs were posted on the property. He also read one emailed comment in favor from Peggy and Bob Coleman.

During public comment, Wayne Groeskopf, a nearby resident, criticized the on‑site signs and the county’s outreach. “That signage that you've seen there, the little 2 by twos for a development like this, that's ridiculous,” Groeskopf said. He said signs were hard to read from the road and that he did not receive a mailed notice despite driving past the site regularly.

Rena Molina, the applicant’s representative and a licensed civil engineer, told the commission that the homes planned for the lots will be single‑family houses allowed by code and that typical heated areas would range from about 1,800 to 3,000 square feet. “Stick built is very common in all of this area,” Molina said, and she said houses could be single‑ or two‑story as allowed by code.

Commissioners also questioned traffic and access. Staff cited the New Mexico Department of Transportation State Access Management manual and AASHTO standards and said the development is expected to add about 10 peak‑hour trips, not enough to require acceleration or deceleration lanes at Webb Road and Del Rey Boulevard.

Following public comment and questions, the commission moved and seconded approval of the preliminary plat; a roll call showed all voting members in favor and the chair announced SD25‑003 was approved unanimously.

After the vote commissioners discussed notification and sign maintenance. Staff said the Unified Development Code requires signs be posted at least 21 days before a hearing (staff noted they typically post 30 days) and that the property owner or the owner's representative must place and maintain the signs during that period; staff said they request a photo showing the sign placement. Staff also said notices are mailed to properties within a 300‑ to 350‑foot buffer from the subject parcel. Staff agreed a QR code or clearer contact information on signs could help residents find project plans online.

The commission’s administrative report noted the case will proceed to the Board of County Commissioners for preliminary map approval as scheduled.