Planning commission waives storm drainage plan for one‑lot Campoya subdivision citing hardship and water rights

The Planning and Zoning Commission on May 6 approved a waiver of the storm drainage plan requirement for the Campoya subdivision, a one‑lot subdivision at Melendez Drive, after staff said the applicant documented financial hardship and the parcel holds water rights.

Planner Jose Botello presented the request on behalf of property owners Eric Campoya and Zanity Aneli Castorena and said the lot is 1.265 acres, currently vacant and zoned R‑1. "Staff recommends approval of the waiver request from section 38‑8.2 preliminary plat plans and data, subsection c (engineering reports)," Botello said, adding the applicant submitted a waiver form disclosing financial hardship.

Botello and commissioners discussed that the parcel is part of the Socorro Grama and has water rights; commissioners noted that an on‑site ponding/pond plan would complicate use of water rights because water directed to a pond could affect how those rights are exercised. Given the circumstances and the applicant’s stated financial hardship, the commission approved the waiver.

Commissioner Enrique Cisneros moved to approve the waiver with the staff recommendation; Commissioner Andrew Arroyos seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The preliminary and final plats are scheduled to proceed to city council for administrative processing; the waiver affects only the engineering report requirement for this subdivision application and does not eliminate standard permitting obligations for future development.