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Planning and Zoning Commission reports full agenda: North Mesa housing, first cottage development and Chapter 16 code updates
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission chair told council Sept. 16 the commission is fully staffed, approved entitlements for Fire Station 4 and 137 dwelling units on North Mesa, recommended Chapter 16 amendments to articles 3 and 6, and plans a comprehensive plan update with a likely 18‑month timeline.
Karen Easton, chair of the Los Alamos Planning and Zoning Commission, briefed the County Council on Sept. 16 about the commission’s 2025 work plan, pending development applications, and a multi‑step code and comprehensive plan update process.
Easton told the council the commission currently has a full membership and has recently approved entitlements for Fire Station 4 and a proposal for 137 new dwelling units on North Mesa. She said the commission approved the town’s first cottage development project in September, which advances housing diversification goals.
Why it matters: the commission’s work directly implements land‑use, housing and development policy that will shape the community’s built form and infrastructure needs.
Code amendments and schedule:
- Chapter 16 package: staff and the commission recommended approval of the first package of Chapter 16 amendments (articles 3 and 6) on Sept. 10; the package addresses use‑table cleanup and missing definitions and is scheduled for council introduction on Sept. 30 with a public hearing Oct. 7.
- Remaining Chapter 16 work: articles 1 and 5 (delegation of authority, application procedures) are under staff review and expected to go to the commission in early 2026. Articles 2 and 4 — development standards that address density, setbacks and building heights — will be considered alongside a comprehensive plan update so any changes align with the community vision.
- Comprehensive plan timeline: staff is targeting issuance of a request for proposals for the comprehensive plan update on Oct. 15; Easton estimated the planning project will likely take about 18 months if the county can secure a contractor early next year.
Commission priorities and training:
Easton said commissioners are pursuing additional training on land‑use law, quasi‑judicial procedures and public engagement to strengthen decision making, and staff are developing an onboarding packet for new commissioners. Councilors discussed adding questions on applicants’ quasi‑judicial experience in future recruitment rounds and requested the commission and staff continue outreach on anticipated traffic impacts from North Mesa housing projects.
Easton concluded by asking for continued clear policy direction from council and for support for staff resources to complete code revisions and the comprehensive plan update.
