Socorro council approves Avila subdivision plat, denies easement waiver

The Socorro City Council on Sept. 4 approved a preliminary and final plat for the Avila Subdivision, a 4.71-acre lot split at 11599 Socorro Road, while denying a requested waiver of an easement for the future extension of Ernest Road.

City planner Lorraine Quimito described the request as a preliminary and final plat for two lots of 1.82 acres and 2.89 acres that included waiver requests for three development standards. “Staff had recommended approval of all of the waiver requests,” Quimito said, and the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of waivers for the stormwater drainage plan and soils analysis but denied the waiver of the Ernest Road easement requirement.

The council approved the plat and the two technical waivers, with the condition that engineering review comments be satisfied prior to recording the final plat. Council members and staff noted the applicant’s willingness to leave the right-of-way for future connectivity: a council member said the owner indicated they were “willing to leave the space,” and staff confirmed the applicant would not pursue that easement waiver.

Quimito told the council the property is zoned A-1 (agricultural/single-family), currently used for residential and agricultural purposes, and lies between already developed subdivisions where future connectivity is expected. She said planning staff denied the easement waiver to preserve an eventual connection when neighboring parcels develop.

The motion carried on a voice vote. The minutes record the action as approved by council voice vote; no roll-call tally was given on the record.

The council directed staff to ensure engineering-review conditions are met before the final plat is recorded.