Socorro City Council approves recurring Mission Trail market permit, authorizes temporary Belen Street closure

The Socorro City Council approved an event permit for a recurring art and farmers market on the historic Mission Trail and authorized a temporary closure of Belen Street between Buford and Socorro Road for the first event scheduled March 29, 2025.

City Planner Lorraine Quimito told the council the applicant submitted the request under City of Socorro municipal code section 36-2-55 and that the proposal would place the market at 549 Belen Street with vendors and food trucks on adjacent properties, including Wind Down and Bodega Loya. Quimito said the street closure and a traffic control plan are included in the application materials.

The matter was introduced as Item No. 6. A motion to approve the permit was made and seconded; councilmembers voted in favor. The record shows no named mover or seconder on the audio. The council also approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting, voted to delete agenda items 7 and 8, and later approved a motion to adjourn.

Why it matters: the permit authorizes a street closure on a block of Belen Street that will affect traffic circulation on a segment of the Mission Trail and allows vendors and food trucks to operate on and next to the roadway. Council discussion emphasized public safety and the need for applicants to meet filing deadlines so staff can complete traffic reviews and post required notices.

Details and discussion City Planner Lorraine Quimito said the first scheduled market date is Saturday, March 29, 2025, and that organizers suggested future events in July, October and December 2025. Quimito said the application includes a traffic control plan showing the closure and detours.

Council members asked whether the closure would be for pedestrian safety and whether vendors and food trucks would be permitted; staff confirmed both. Quimito described the closure hours in the backup materials as 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and said some setup would occur within that window; the precise start and end times for vendor activity were not finalized in the record.

Several council members and staff discussed improving applicant guidance and notice. One councilmember noted applicants must meet the city’s filing schedule so staff can complete reviews and post items ahead of scheduled meetings; staff suggested adding guidance to the City Clerk and planning webpages.

Other formal actions - Consent agenda: A motion to approve the consent agenda was made and seconded and the council voted in favor. The consent agenda’s specific items were not discussed on the record. - Deletion of agenda items 7 and 8: A motion and second to delete items 7 and 8 passed with the council voting in favor. - Adjournment: A motion to adjourn passed; the meeting ended at 6:09 p.m.

What’s next Staff indicated future market dates would be set by the applicant and that organizers must follow the traffic control plan and permit conditions. Staff also recommended reminding applicants of filing deadlines and adding information to the City Clerk and planning webpages so future applications are processed with adequate notice.