Los Alamos planning commission approves rezoning for North Mesa Arbolada parcel to allow smaller single‑family lots

The Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously July 23, 2025, to approve a minor zone map amendment to rezone approximately 7.54 acres of the Arbolada Subdivision from single‑family residential SFR 4 to SFR 5, a change the commission and staff said is necessary for a proposed subdivision that would create 23 single‑family lots commonly addressed as 659 San Ildefonso Road.

The change, staff said, preserves the subdivision design approved earlier under a planned development process and allows smaller minimum lot sizes (50‑foot widths and roughly 5,000 square feet) that developers say create more affordable house size options for local workforce households. "It supports providing a variety of housing types, sizes and density," senior planner Desiree Luhan told the commission, and staff recommended approval based on the development code decision criteria.

Staff and applicant officials framed the rezoning as correcting an error created when an earlier planned‑development (PD) zoning conversion occurred at the same time the county adopted a new development code in January 2023. Under that update, the parcel was converted to SFR 4 without the planned development overlay the parcel had been expected to retain. "This zone change will not provide them the same flexibility that the PD zone district allowed for," Luhan said, "but it does allow them to achieve a design that will work for them in the project that is similar to what Broadview Estates is doing on the east."

Josh Rogers of Titan Development, the applicant's representative, told the commission the overall Arbolada plan would include multiple product types and a total of 137 homes when finished, with 23 single‑family lots in the portion considered that evening. "This project in its entirety will help the, housing crisis up here in Los Alamos," Rogers said. He explained that the 50‑foot lots create opportunities for homes in a lower price band (homes as small as about 2,200–2,500 sq. ft., Rogers said) compared with larger lots that tend to produce much larger and higher‑priced houses.

Several members of the public and community groups spoke in favor of adding housing. Tyler Taylor, a retired local physician and homelessness coalition coordinator, said more housing in Los Alamos could relieve housing pressure in nearby communities and help local workers. "I support it, and I hope you folks will, for the sake of us in the county and our neighbors who are struggling," Taylor said. Resident Elizabeth Burr said, "The housing shortage in Los Alamos is affecting all of us," and urged approval to support teachers, medical staff and other essential workers.

One nearby resident, Monique Morin, asked whether site‑plan decision criteria requiring provision for tot lots or neighborhood parks would apply. Staff and the applicant said the rezoning hearing considered only the rezone criteria (sections a–d cited by staff); the applicant said a conditional use permit and related site details — including a proposed tot lot — were submitted and under staff review, with the applicant aiming to present the conditional use permit to the commission on Aug. 27, 2025.

After commissioner discussion that echoed staff findings on consistency with the comprehensive plan, changed conditions and compatibility with adjacent zones, Commissioner Proul moved to approve REZ2025‑0021 with the condition that the rezoning is contingent on approval of the final subdivision plat. Commissioner White seconded. The roll call vote was 7–0 in favor: Proul, Nockley, Adler, Brown, Easton, Hill and White voting yes. The commission's approval will not take effect until the appeal period for the final subdivision plat expires.

The chair read appeal rights following the vote: parties required to receive mailed notice, property owners named in the application and persons with recognized legal interest under New Mexico law have 15 calendar days after the final written decision to file an appeal under the county development code.