Clovis planning panel approves two replats, including site plan tied to proposed RV parking

The Clovis Planning and Zoning Commission on April 9 approved preliminary plats that reconfigure portions of the Kaufman Subdivision, clearing the way for a proposed RV parking area, and approved a replat of Buchanan Block 3 at 1501 Zulek Avenue that will proceed to Curry County for final processing.

The Kaufman matter, presented by Michael Perkins, planning and zoning administrator, would reconfigure lots identified in the plat and create a 40-foot frontage road with a single entrance from Wheaton. Applicant Larry Jones told the commission he is seeking to develop an RV lot on the site, adding that sewer and water are available inside the city limits. "I was just looking to do an RV lot," Jones told commissioners after being sworn for testimony.

The commission heard that the applicant plans to maintain certain lot lines to allow future commercial uses on Lots 2 and 4 and to leave Lot 5 for later development. Perkins said the developer plans four commercial lots in front and that only one entrance will serve the frontage road. He also said the developer will coordinate any access where the site meets a state highway through the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT): "It would just be the 1 entrance going on to the 40 foot frontage road," Perkins said. Commission staff reported that all adjacent property owners within a 100-foot notice radius were notified and that the office received no formal protests.

Commission staff also discussed stormwater management requirements. The record shows the city requires on-site stormwater controls for commercial parcels; surveyor Chad Lydic had already planned a retention basin sized for the RV portion of the project, and Perkins said the applicant will resize the basin as needed to account for stormwater from the newly created lots.

The Buchanan Block 3 replat, at 1501 Zulek Avenue, was presented as a subdivision of a single block into two lots. Perkins explained the property lies outside Clovis city limits but within the city's extraterritorial planning and zoning area; final approval and any claim of exemption to split the property will be processed by Curry County. Perkins told the commission the city does not have authority over lot-size standards in the county process and that the commission's action is a formality to approve the plat for forwarding.

Votes at a glance - Kaufman preliminary plat (replat and related lot-line adjustments, includes proposed RV parking, creation of frontage road): Motion to approve moved by Commissioner Klein; second by Commissioner Smith. Commission recorded the motion as passed; no formal protests were reported to staff during noticing. - Buchanan Block 3 replat (1501 Zulek Avenue): Motion to approve moved by Commissioner London; second by Commissioner Klein. Commission recorded the motion as passed; the matter will proceed to Curry County for the claim-of-exemption process.

Both items passed on voice votes with no recorded opposing votes.

Why it matters The Kaufman replat changes how future development may access a state highway and establishes lot configurations that the applicant intends to sell or develop for commercial uses and an RV parking area. Because the project will require an NMDOT access permit where it ties to the state highway and additional stormwater sizing for the commercial lots, final build-out remains contingent on agency approvals and project-level civil engineering. The Buchanan replat illustrates the planning commission's role in handling plats that lie in the city's extraterritorial area but ultimately requires county action for final subdivision approval.

Meeting context and next steps Commission staff said the applicant will coordinate access permitting with NMDOT and revise stormwater calculations as part of the final plat submittal. For the Buchanan replat, Curry County will consider the claim of exemption and any county-level requirements. The commission scheduled its next meeting for 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 14.