Socorro Historical Landmark Commission approves Dollar General design, perimeter wall; receives $2 million museum funding update

The Socorro City Historical Landmark Commission on Wednesday approved a certificate of appropriateness for a new Dollar General on Socorro Road and a separate certificate for a perimeter wall at 11549 Socorro Road, accepted meeting minutes and excused two absent commissioners, and received an update that the city’s museum project has secured $2 million in state support.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the Dollar General design and the perimeter wall and to accept the July 9 regular meeting minutes. The votes were taken during the commission’s regular session, which opened at 6:01 p.m.

The museum update was the most substantive staff briefing. Staff said the museum is roughly 65% complete, with shingles, interior walls and flooring installed and lighting remaining. Staff reported that two state legislators filed bills to support the project and that the museum would receive a total of $2,000,000, double the amount previously anticipated; staff identified the Texas Historical Commission as the financial agent for those funds. The commission was told the additional $1,000,000 will allow the city to prioritize completion of street-facing buildings and aim to open those spaces for public use by 2027.

On the Dollar General application, staff (Brooke Dallenberg was identified as the point of contact) said the applicant submitted an updated design that complies with the historical district guidelines after an earlier preliminary design did not. The updated proposal includes a front-facing façade that incorporates a mission-style crest and uses materials and colors approved for the district.

Mike Sabin, an architect with Kinetic who said he represented the applicant online, thanked the commission and staff for working through the design and said, “I appreciate you taking the time to work the design out to get to this approval. We'll be contacting you probably tomorrow just to go over any pending items we need to take care of for approval and final permit.”

A city staff member, Miss Perez, told the applicant, “She'll provide you with your certificate of appropriateness. Once it's signed, you can go ahead and contact the planning and zoning commission to obtain your construction documents.” The commission voted to approve the Dollar General certificate; the motion was made by Rafael Padilla and seconded by David Estrada and carried with recorded “aye” votes from Padilla, Dr. Elizabeth Ponce Lugo, David Estrada and Ricardo Rocha.

The commission also approved a certificate of appropriateness for a new perimeter wall at 11549 Socorro Road. Staff described the wall as cinder block, plastered for a smooth texture, and to be painted in a district-approved historic color described in staff materials as “apple sauce.” When asked about height, staff said the wall’s height will conform to Planning & Zoning setbacks and perimeter standards and noted the commission’s role was to approve materials, design and color. Rafael Padilla made the motion to approve the wall; Ricardo Rocha seconded it. The motion carried with the same four commissioners recorded as voting “aye.”

During the project updates item, staff said the museum’s additional funding comes from two state legislative actions and that the city will work with a nonprofit partner, CSCI, to pursue additional grants. Staff said final lighting remains to be installed before the curation team begins its work and that the city intends to schedule a commission tour of the nearly completed spaces. Staff also reviewed upcoming community events, including a Harvest Festival on Sept. 20 and a first-ever Veterans Parade and the unveiling of a new Veterans Memorial at Cougar Park planned for November.

Staff noted a trust property on Buford at Alameda that formerly housed early childhood services is vacant; staff said deed language may require the property to revert to the Esquentes family if the trust terms apply. Staff characterized the building as a “trust building” and said they would report back with definitive information when available.

Procedural business during the meeting included a motion to excuse absent commissioners Jesse Montelongo and Alvarado; that motion, made by Rafael Padilla and seconded by David Estrada, carried with the same four members voting “aye.” The commission approved the July 9 meeting minutes on a motion by Ricardo Rocha, seconded by Rafael Padilla, with an aye vote from Padilla, Dr. Elizabeth Ponce Lugo, David Estrada and Rocha. The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m. after a motion to adjourn by Rafael Padilla, seconded by David Estrada, and a recorded unanimous aye vote.

The commission’s staff presentation and subsequent discussion emphasized that the Historical Landmark Commission’s authority in the session was limited to design, materials and color approvals for items in the historic district; staff repeatedly clarified that other approvals (for example, final construction permits) require Planning & Zoning or other city processes. Staff also encouraged applicants to coordinate with city staff to obtain required documents following commission approvals.

The commission did not take any action on the trust-property question beyond asking staff to follow up. Staff asked interested residents to contact the city clerk to apply for an open commission seat after a resignation was announced during the meeting.

Votes at a glance: motion to excuse absences — mover Rafael Padilla, seconder David Estrada; outcome: approved (4–0). Approval of July 9 minutes — mover Ricardo Rocha, seconder Rafael Padilla; outcome: approved (4–0). Certificate of appropriateness, Dollar General (Socorro Road) — mover Rafael Padilla, seconder David Estrada; outcome: approved (4–0). Certificate of appropriateness, perimeter wall (11549 Socorro Road) — mover Rafael Padilla, seconder Ricardo Rocha; outcome: approved (4–0). Motion to adjourn — mover Rafael Padilla, seconder David Estrada; outcome: approved (4–0).

The commission scheduled no further votes during the meeting and asked staff to return with follow-up information on the vacant trust building and on logistics for a museum site visit.