Owner of Cedar Grove Court parcels acknowledges cleanup progress but county seeks formal determination

Santa Fe County Code Enforcement asked Hearing Officer John Ziegler to uphold nuisance findings and authorize clean-and-lien authority for properties at 47 and 11 Cedar Grove Court, while indicating a willingness to work with the owner, John Mark Rochelle, who attended and said he has removed some items and needs time to finish cleanup.

Joseph Martinez, Santa Fe County Code Enforcement Supervisor, presented case number 258025 under “ordinance 20 20 three-four, Nuisance Abatement,” recounting complaints dating to summer 2024 and multiple inspections that documented abandoned and inoperable vehicles, accumulated trash and debris, abandoned manufactured homes and unsecured structures. Martinez said the county issued notices starting with a site inspection and notice of violation on July 30, 2024, a notice of written order on Dec. 10, 2024, and filed a criminal complaint in February 2025 that the county later dismissed on Aug. 21, 2025 to pursue nuisance abatement.

Martinez told the hearing the condition persisted through multiple inspections into 2025, and recommended that the hearing officer authorize abatement under section 10 C 5 of the county ordinance and recover costs via lien if necessary.

Owner John Mark Rochelle disputed that every photograph shown was of his property, saying several images depicted neighboring parcels; he acknowledged, however, that “most of that is mine” and that he had removed some trailers and vehicles. When asked how long he would need to finish cleanup, Rochelle said, “I think I would need probably at least 6 months or more.” He also said he would notify other property owners whose items may have been included in complaint photos so neighbors do not continue to file complaints about items that are not his.

Martinez said county staff appreciated Rochelle’s attendance and that the county would continue to work with him. But Martinez asked the hearing officer to make a determination now so the county could pursue a Board of County Commissioners resolution if voluntary cleanup did not occur in a timely manner. Hearing Officer Ziegler reiterated he has five working days to issue a decision; no abatement order was issued at the hearing and the matter is pending his written determination.

The county’s exhibits included complaint forms (dating to July–August 2024), inspection photos from July 30, 2024 and May 16, 2025, notices of violation and written order, certified-mail tracking, and proof the hearing was publicly posted on Sept. 9, 2025. Rochelle said much of the pictured material has been removed but acknowledged remaining items and estimated six months to reach compliance.