At its January meeting, the Sandoval County Planning and Zoning Commission re-elected Chair Trujillo, selected a vice chair, approved a conditional-use permit to allow a second residence on a Ponderosa property, approved two vacation requests in Placitas and granted a postponement for an Atlas application until at least the commission’s February meeting.

The actions affect individual property rights and local access in parts of Sandoval County and were taken during a meeting in the Sandoval County commission chambers. The meeting included staff presentations, public comment from an agent for Placitas property owners and routine procedural business including approval of minutes.

The commission voted to approve a conditional-use permit (CU-24-007) requested by Renee Montoya to allow a second manufactured home on a 1.020-acre property in Ponderosa for use by a family member. Director Beaman said the planning department recommended approval with two conditions: (1) all residential structures on the property must be used only by family members and not for rental purposes, and (2) county and state building permits are still required before placement or construction. "At this time, we had been notified earlier today by the applicant. She is ill and, was advised by medical professionals not to, travel at this time," Director Beaman said. The motion to approve carried without recorded opposition.

The commission also granted the applicant’s requested postponement for an Atlas application (CU-24-008). Director Beaman told the commission the applicant asked to delay consideration until at least the February meeting; the planning department recommended granting the postponement and the commission approved that request.

Two vacation requests affecting Placitas properties were approved. VAC-24-010 seeks to vacate a portion of a 20-foot private roadway easement and a 40-foot cul-de-sac within Track 4, Unit 2 of the Ideal Acres subdivision to clarify property boundaries and provide additional private turnaround access; the subject parcel is 9.995 acres. Director Beaman said the Sandoval County Fire Department reviewed and approved the request for emergency access contingent on maintaining Calle de Las Brujas at a 20-foot width. The commission approved VAC-24-010 on a unanimous voice vote.

VAC-24-011 would vacate a portion of public right of way between lots 4 and 5A in the Placitas Heights subdivision to allow a claim-of-exemption/lot-line adjustment and recording of a plan for Lot 5A; the subject site is 3.090 acres. David Harper, acting as agent for owners, told the commission the subdivision had been platted decades ago "sloppily" and that the requested vacation would correct lot boundaries and encroachments. "We're just trying to fix where there's an unnecessary cul de sac and create something that actually makes sense," Harper said. The fire department reviewed VAC-24-011 and recommended approval with an equipment note should an automated gate be installed. The commission approved VAC-24-011.

Procedural business: commissioners re-elected Chair Trujillo to continue as chair and elected James Maduenio as vice chair. The commission approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the Dec. 10, 2024 regular meeting. Director Beaman announced the county will bring an Open Meetings Act item before the commission in February to align the calendar to a perpetual 5 p.m. start time; he also reported a Planning and Zoning Commission vacancy for District 2 and that Keith Brown has been nominated to fill that seat and is expected to begin service in February if appointed by the governing body. The commission set its next meeting for Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. in the chambers.

Votes at a glance

- Election of chair: Chair Trujillo — nominated and elected by voice vote; outcome: approved.
- Election of vice chair: James Maduenio — nominated and elected by voice vote; outcome: approved.
- CU-24-007 (Renee Montoya) — conditional-use permit to allow a second manufactured home on 1.020 acres in Ponderosa; staff recommended two conditions (family-only use; required building permits). Motion to approve carried; outcome: approved.
- CU-24-008 (Atlas) — applicant requested postponement until at least February; motion to grant postponement carried; outcome: postponed to February (at minimum).
- VAC-24-010 — vacate portion of 20-foot private roadway easement and 40-foot cul de sac in Ideal Acres (Track 4, Unit 2), 9.995 acres; Fire Department approval contingent on maintaining Calle de Las Brujas at 20-foot width; outcome: approved.
- VAC-24-011 — vacate portion of public right of way between lots 4 and 5A in Placitas Heights, 3.090 acres; Fire Department reviewed and recommended approval with gate equipment note; outcome: approved.
- Consent agenda (minutes of Dec. 10, 2024) — approved.

The meeting record indicates unanimous voice votes on the formal actions noted above; the transcript records no formal roll-call tallies attached to those motions.

The commission took public comment from an agent for Placitas property owners during the vacation items; the applicant for CU-24-007, Renee Montoya, was absent due to illness. The commission will consider the Open Meetings Act calendar change and the appointment of Keith Brown at upcoming governing-body and February commission meetings.

Members of the public and applicants may reappear before the commission when postponed items return to the agenda.