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Board approves reduced 35‑foot setback for proposed commercial development at 10300 North Loop Drive
Summary
The Board of Adjustment approved a variance reducing the required front setback from 60 feet to 35 feet for a proposed three‑building commercial development at 10300 North Loop Drive; staff recommended approval and the applicant outlined economic and design details.
The Socorro City Board of Adjustment voted to approve a variance allowing a reduced front setback of 35 feet instead of the 60 feet required by municipal code for a 2.8‑acre property at 10300 North Loop Drive.
Planning staff presented the request for Oregon El Paso Partners LP, represented at the meeting by Sunny Van Hasselin. Staff recommended approval of a variance to municipal code section 46‑4‑15 (area requirements, subsection 3(c)) to accommodate a proposed commercial development that the applicant described as three buildings with offices and warehouse space. The applicant said the reduced setback makes the site economically feasible and noted plans for landscaping and a mural facing North Loop.
During discussion, commissioners asked about setbacks on adjacent properties (the nearby CubeSmart self‑storage was described as compliant with the 60‑foot requirement), curb‑cut and traffic access (the applicant said TxDOT approvals and permitting remain to be completed), and precedent (members noted the board has denied similar setback requests in the past and discussed consistency). Staff said the city is rewriting its uniform development code and that past denials do not automatically bar case‑by‑case consideration.
The applicant provided project details during remarks: the site is 2.8 acres in C2 (general commercial) zoning; the project would include about 31 units sized roughly 1,200–1,500 square feet with office and restroom spaces; the applicant stated many units are available for purchase at an average price of $250,000 with a 5% down option and a financing structure intended to make monthly payments under $2,000; leasing was said to start near $1,500 per month. The applicant also asserted the project would substantially increase property tax revenue compared with the current assessed value the applicant cited as $270,000.
A motion to follow staff’s recommendation to approve the variance was made by Miriam Cruz and seconded on the floor; the motion carried with all members voting aye and no abstentions recorded. Commissioners and staff emphasized that approval was specific to the facts of this site and that future applications would be judged individually.
Votes at a glance: Motion to approve reduced setback from 60 feet to 35 feet — Mover: Miriam Cruz; Second: not specified on the record; Outcome: approved (unanimous).
