Council clears first reading for allowing schools downtown, discusses liquor‑license rules

The Alamosa City Council on Oct. 16 approved, on first reading, a code change to permit certain educational uses in the central business district (CBD) by conditional use and advanced a separate ordinance to address state liquor-license distance restrictions.

City staff told the council the change to the Unified Development Code (Ordinance 30-2024) would allow schools like alternative or online programs to apply for conditional use in a defined downtown area (between Hunt and Edison avenues) but would allow the planning commission and council to impose conditions — for example, dedicating a portion of the first floor to retail — to protect downtown vibrancy.

Separately, the school district requested council clarify the liquor‑license distance rules so a move downtown would not permanently block new liquor licenses for restaurants and other businesses. Staff and the city attorney explained state statutory distance limits and said council has authority to reduce or eliminate the restriction for the specified educational uses; the council approved first reading of the related ordinance (number 29-2024) and set it for a Nov. 6 hearing.

Members of the public, school leaders and district staff — including Amanda Hensley (chief operations and financial officer), Luis Murillo (assistant superintendent) and Diana Jones (superintendent) — urged support for the school move and emphasized outreach and conditions to preserve retail opportunities. Main Street representatives expressed concern about balancing retail vitality and education uses.

Next steps: The planning commission will consider the school district’s conditional-use permit at its next meeting; council expects to act on second readings and the planning commission’s recommendation Nov. 6.