The City of Socorro Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 6 approved a rezoning request that changes the land use designation of Tract 12-A, Block 2, from A-1 (agriculture) to R-2 (medium-density residential) to permit redevelopment for multifamily residential lots. The request covers 21.35 acres and the property owner is listed in the record as Clean Land Holding Company LLC.

Planner Judith Rodriguez presented the application and the supporting maps, noting the subject parcel is shown as urban residential on the city's future land-use map and staff recommended approval. She told commissioners that notice was sent to nearby residents within the required 200-foot radius and that one opposition letter had been submitted and provided to the commission.

An applicant representative said the project team has coordinated with the irrigation district and the Lower Valley Water District for utilities and intends to extend a local street to Baumann Road and toward I-10 to improve connectivity. "Traffic will be alleviated because...we've already talked to the irrigation district, so we're gonna bring that road all the way across and put it on Bauman," the representative said, adding that water service would be provided by the water district rather than by on-site groundwater.

Commissioners asked about lot sizes and whether the proposal included apartments; the applicant said the plan anticipates commercial frontage with apartment complexes and that a phase-one plat would be submitted in the coming weeks. After questions, Commissioner Andrew Arroyos made the motion to approve the rezoning; Commissioner Yolanda Rodriguez seconded the motion and the chair declared the motion carried.

The approval is a zoning change only and does not itself authorize construction. Developers must submit plats and obtain permits; staff said a site plan and plating for phase 1 were expected following this decision.