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Commission recommends FLUM amendment to allow expansion of Fire Station 4 site on Diamond Drive
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that County Council amend the comprehensive plan future land-use map to expand the institutional land‑use designation to accommodate a renovated Fire Station 4. The vote was unanimous.
The Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that County Council amend the comprehensive plan future land use map (FLUM) to expand the institutional designation for a portion of the North Community Subdivision to accommodate the renovation and replacement of Fire Station Number 4.
Sobia Seyeda, the county project manager for the Fire Station 4 replacement, and David Grooms, architect with Vega Architects, presented a schematic plan and explained that a constrained site footprint and the need to keep the existing station operational during construction led the team to propose a lot‑line adjustment. The proposed FLUM amendment would convert a sliver of passive open space to institutional use, increasing the institutional area shown on the FLUM from about 81,500 square feet to 100,234 square feet (an increase of approximately 0.43 acres).
Architects said they evaluated three candidate sites and that public feedback and county council direction supported staying at the current location. Staff planners explained that minor lot‑line and zoning changes require the comprehensive plan map to reflect the new institutional boundary before a rezoning and lot‑line adjustment proceed. Jane Matthews, senior planner and case manager, told the commission that the Department of Public Utilities had no utility concerns and county engineering did not require a traffic analysis for the schematic shown; staff recommended the FLUM amendment.
Commissioners asked whether trails would need rerouting; the project team said trail alignment would be addressed during subsequent site plan review and that no formal trail reroute is currently planned. After discussion, the commission voted 7‑0 to recommend approval to County Council and authorized the chair to sign a final recommendation reflecting the commission’s findings.
The amendment is a legislative recommendation to County Council; final action rests with council and subsequent actions (lot‑line adjustment, rezoning, and site plan review) will be required for construction.
