Socorro planning commissioners approve rezoning for 21.93‑acre warehouse site with conditions

The Planning and Zoning Commission of Socorro City on May 6 approved rezoning 21.93 acres near Gateway East Boulevard and North Nuevo Hueco Tanks Road from A‑1 (agricultural) to ICMUD (industrial commercial mixed use) and granted several modified variances, with a condition that a traffic impact analysis be submitted at the subdivision stage.

Staff planner Jose Botello told the commission that the property owner is D L A and M Properties and the applicant’s representative is Adam Dewar of Logistics Land Investment LLC. "Staff is recommending approval of the rezoning request," Botello said, and proposed adjustments to several of the variance requests.

The commission approved a building‑height variance different from the applicant’s request: the developer sought a 60‑foot maximum, while staff recommended and the commission approved a 50‑foot maximum in place of the current 45‑foot limit. Commissioners also approved reduced parking ratios with changes from both the applicant’s request and current code: staff recommended one space per 400 square feet for net leasable office space (instead of the code’s 1 per 350) and one space per 2,000 square feet for warehouse area (the applicant requested 1 per 5,000; current code requires 1 per 500). The commission approved the variances as recommended by staff.

On the traffic study requirement, the applicant asked to waive the traffic impact analysis (TIA) during rezoning. Jorge Carajada of CA Group said the project’s trip generation estimate is low — about 56 AM peak trips and 59 PM peak trips — and that the development falls below some municipal thresholds for mandatory study. Botello noted the city code allows a subdivider to defer the TIA to the subdivision stage under section 38‑59.2(d) when the land is unplatted and projected peak hour trips are under 500. The commission approved the staff alternative to defer the TIA submission to the subdivision phase, rather than waive it permanently.

Speakers emphasized that the site will tie into the existing Socorro Logistics Center street network and that infrastructure such as nearby streets and traffic signals are already under construction. Jorge Herrera of CEA was present as part of the project team and answered technical questions during the discussion.

Commissioners voting to approve did so with the specific conditions described above: a 50‑foot maximum building height limit approved in place of the applicant’s 60‑foot request, the adjusted parking ratios, and a requirement that the TIA be submitted at subdivision. Commissioner Andrew Arroyos made the motion to approve with the staff recommendations and the TIA condition; Commissioner David Estrada seconded. All four commissioners present voted in favor and the motion carried.

The rezoning approval clears the way for a distribution and warehousing facility proposed for the site; the applicant’s development schedule presented to staff estimates construction completion in late November 2026. The commission’s approval does not authorize construction permits; additional approvals and required technical studies at subdivision and permitting stages remain.