Socorro Board of Adjustment approves variance for single‑wide home at 725 Campeche Road conditioned on inspection

The Socorro Board of Adjustment approved a variance to allow a single‑wide manufactured home built in 2001 at 725 Campeche Road, conditioning the approval on the home passing city inspections and receiving a certificate of occupancy.

The variance waives parts of municipal code section 46‑2‑36, which the city enforces to require multi‑section (double‑wide) manufactured homes and an age limit on units. Planner Julia Rodriguez told the board the property is zoned R‑1, measures about 10,013 square feet and is part of the Campeche Subdivision; the property owner listed on the application is City So Investment LLC and the applicant authorized to apply is identified as Mr. Ornelas.

Rodriguez said staff recommended approval of a variance from the municipal code to allow a single‑wide manufactured home dated 2001. She described the site as vacant and reviewed the submitted site plan showing proposed front and rear setbacks (32 feet) and side setbacks (15 feet left, 49 feet right), which exceed minimums. Rodriguez summarized: “Item number 7 on the agenda is the variance request at 725 Campeshoe Road,” and described the request as permitting a single‑wide manufactured home older than eight years to be sited at the lot.

The applicant, identified in the hearing as Mr. Ornelas, said he had placed deposits to hold the unit pending the board’s decision. Resident Renee Ellis, who identified herself as having lived in Socorro since 1982, spoke in support and described the unit as refurbished. Ellis told the board, “I’ve made deposits on both because I needed your approval first. Right. They’re just holding it for me.”

Board members discussed the ordinance’s double‑wide requirement and the origin of the rule. One commissioner said the double‑wide requirement dated to a fire incident and subsequent changes in the city’s standards. Commissioners and staff also focused on safety and habitability: a city staff member, identified in the record as Marwan, said a certificate of occupancy would be required before occupancy and that the city would not issue one if the unit did not meet standards. Marwan stated, “we wouldn't issue a certificate of occupancy if it wasn't.”

An initial motion to approve the variance was made and seconded but failed after an abstention was recorded. The transcript records the motion as failing; no vote tally by name beyond the abstention is provided. Later, a motion to approve the variance conditioned on the manufactured home being inspected and passing all city standards and on the issuance of a certificate of occupancy was made by Marian Cruz and seconded by David Oropeza. The board voted in favor and the motion carried.

The board and staff noted next steps: the variance approval is conditioned on the unit passing required inspections and being issued a certificate of occupancy before it may be occupied. Staff reminded the applicant that if he sought a different outcome after a denial he could pursue other legal remedies, including bringing the matter to court for review, but that was presented as an alternate pathway rather than a routine next step.

The Board of Adjustment moved immediately to adjourn following the vote.