Socorro council approves several subdivision plats, logistics center rezoning and zoning updates
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Summary
The council approved multiple preliminary and final plats, a logistics‑center rezoning and related variances, and reinstated agricultural district rules. Items included Punta Del Este Unit 3, Cotton Cove Unit 2, Horizon Park Unit 4 (with a waiver condition), and the Socorro Logistics Mesa Spur Drain subdivision and rezoning.
City of Socorro Council members on Oct. 16 approved a series of land‑use items including preliminary and final plats, zoning updates and a logistics‑center rezoning intended to support industrial development and residential subdivision.
Key votes and approvals: - Punta Del Este Unit 3 (agenda item 15): Council approved the preliminary and final plat for a roughly 22‑acre commercial subdivision in El Paso County just outside the city limits; Planning staff reported a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation of 4–0 in favor.
- Cotton Cove Unit 2 (agenda items 16–17): Council approved a preliminary plat for a 4.36‑acre R‑2 residential subdivision with 17 lots; staff said the project will extend sewer and water that could benefit adjacent, previously landlocked properties.
- Horizon Park Unit 4 (agenda items 18–19): Council approved the preliminary plat for an approximately 3.4‑acre R‑2 subdivision with 18 residential lots. Staff noted approval came with a condition that the developer seek a waiver for storm drainage compliance and submit an amendment to the Horizon Park master plan; final plat approval will return to Planning and Zoning and council.
- Socorro Logistics (agenda items 22–25): Council rezoned a vacated segment of Mesa Spur Drain from unclassified to ICMUD (Industrial Commercial Mixed‑Use District), granted a variance to allow a 9.78‑acre site where a 10‑acre minimum usually applies, and approved a related preliminary/final plat for Mesa Spur Drain No.1 subdivision (about 4.79 acres) to be incorporated into the Socorro Logistics Center for parking and future building expansion. Staff said the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning and plat.
- Reinstating A‑1 district regulations (agenda item 21): Council adopted an ordinance reintroducing A‑1 (agricultural) district regulations into the city code after staff said those rules were lost during a prior reformatting of the online code. Staff said the update restores prior A‑1 rules, adds a conditional‑use path for small‑scale desalination pilots, and reduces the proposed minimum lot size in the draft rules to one acre following Planning and Zoning committee review.
What council said: City planners and developers presented location maps, photographs and preliminary plans. Lorraine Quimiro, city planner, described site sizes and Planning and Zoning recommendations. Jorge Escarte with CA Group and Jorge Grajeda with CEA Group represented developers and answered questions about utilities extension, sewer improvements and drainage waivers.
Next steps: Several items require next steps before development proceeds — engineering waivers, final plat approvals, and in the case of Horizon Park Unit 4, an amendment to the master plan. Staff said developers will coordinate with Lower Valley Water District and other utility providers for sewer and water extensions.
