Socorro planning commission approves draft A‑1 agricultural zoning language, sends measure to City Council

The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Socorro voted to forward an ordinance amendment to City Council that would add district regulations for an A‑1 Agricultural zoning district to Chapter 46, Article 4 of the municipal code.

Planner Mr. Woodley, speaking for the Planning and Zoning Department, told commissioners that “we the planning and zoning staff recommends approval of the amendment to chapter 46, article 4, district regulations of the city of Socorro, Texas to add the district regulations for the A 1 agricultural zoning district.” He said the draft fills a gap because the current code provides no up‑to‑date standards for agricultural properties.

The measure sets a minimum lot area and other area requirements for new A‑1 parcels; staff said the draft uses a two‑acre minimum but noted property owners can request variances. Jose Botello of the City of Socorro and Hay Griffith, the applicant representing Harmony Desalting, described a pilot desalting project that depends on having an agricultural district in the code. Griffith said the pilot’s “total cost of this project is right around 500,000” and that “we received roughly 350,000 from the Bureau of Reclamation.” Attorney Marwan Bote asked about grant deadlines; the applicant said a Bureau of Reclamation deadline exists but he did not have the exact date at the meeting.

Commissioners debated whether a one‑acre or a two‑acre minimum best balances existing lots and future builds and whether staff should inspect existing A‑1 properties; staff advised current properties would remain grandfathered until owners seek a change such as a replat. Commissioners also discussed adding clarifying language about grandfathering and giving planning staff time to refine details during the city’s Unified Development Code rewrite.

Commissioner Andrew Arroyo made a motion to approve the draft with conditions allowing planning staff to adjust acreage, building square footage and other standards; the motion was seconded by Oswaldo (identified in the meeting as a commissioner). The commission recorded the motion as carried (votes: yes 4, no 0, abstain 1). The action forwards the ordinance to City Council for introduction (staff said the council introduction would occur March 6 and final reading March 20).