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Council rezones three town‑owned Cornelio Basin parcels to agricultural/recreation open‑space (ARO)
Summary
The Town of Taos Council adopted an ordinance changing zoning on three town‑owned parcels in the Cornelio Basin from R‑2 single‑family residential to ARO (agriculture, recreation, open space and flood zone); planning staff and commenters described the area as wetlands and part of local flood management.
The Town of Taos Council on Sept. 24 approved an ordinance to rezone three town‑owned parcels commonly called the Cornelio Basin from R‑2 (single‑family residential) to ARO (agriculture, recreation, open space and flood zone).
The request, presented by planning staff, covers three parcels totaling roughly 23.11 acres (parcel sizes described in the staff presentation as 4.73, 14.878 and 3.5 acres). Planning staff said the parcels are wetlands and portions abut the Rio Fernando floodplain shown on FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Map. The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended approval on Aug. 14.
Public comment at the hearing supported the rezoning. Jasmine Soselek, a longtime resident who said she lives on the southwest corner of the large parcel, urged the council to preserve the wetland and said the basin performs stormwater retention for surrounding neighborhoods. "I give you my wholehearted support," she told the council, adding that wetlands reduce downstream water‑management costs.
Why it matters: Changing the zoning converts land classified for potential residential development into a zone intended for open space, recreation and flood‑management uses. Planning staff said the ARO zone is intended for land that is prone to flooding and is generally unsuitable for permanent residential development.
Technical clarification: Staff noted a discrepancy in the ordinance language that referred to acreage in two locations and asked council to adopt corrected acreage figures; the council approved the ordinance with the corrected total acreage noted during the motion.
Next steps and context: The rezoning aligns the town's zoning map with flood risk and allows municipal management consistent with wetland and floodplain protection. Council members and staff mentioned ongoing weed‑management and park work in adjacent Fred Baca Park and said public works will continue to address drainage and access issues on nearby Calle Cornelio.
Ending: The ordinance passed on council vote; staff will continue routine management of the basin and pursue grant‑funded weed‑mitigation and public‑access work where appropriate.
