Planning and Zoning Commission approves 2026 work plan with emphasis on housing, code updates and canyon‑rim protections

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a modified 2026 work plan on Dec. 10 that directs the board to play an active role in the county's comprehensive plan update and to pursue targeted code and process changes aimed at easing housing development and clarifying review standards.

The chair introduced the work plan as a calendar of tasks and staff resources for January through December 2026 and asked staff to finalize the plan for council review. Council liaison Councilor Ren Herman and staff liaison Danielle Valdez were both identified as points of contact for coordination with county departments.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the work plan will shape how land‑use decisions are evaluated as the county rewrites chapters of its development code and updates the comprehensive plan. The commission singled out housing—particularly accessory dwelling units (ADUs), residential density, and parking standards—as priorities that could materially affect housing supply and project approval timelines.

Key items approved and next steps: The commission asked staff to - participate with the comprehensive plan consultant on housing, land‑use and infrastructure topics; - compile five years of variance application data to identify recurring sticking points for applicants; - study ADU allowances and clarify accessory‑structure rules; - revisit Chapter 16 parking standards to right‑size requirements; and - research canyon‑rim protections and the county's current building‑height stepbacks near the canyon rim and add that work to the 2026 project list. Staff said the consultant contract for the comp‑plan update includes the two chapters that address those code changes and that staff will brief the commission and may convene working groups and consultant presentations before draft plan publication.

Votes and formal actions: The commission passed the work plan by roll call. Earlier in the meeting the commission also approved the meeting agenda by voice vote, approved the 2026 meeting calendar, and approved the Nov. 12, 2025 minutes (roll call: four yes, three abstentions). The staff reported two P&Z decisions have been appealed to county council and will be heard in the next two months.

Council and department updates: Councilor Herman summarized recent county council activity, including a draft fleet conversion and countywide electric vehicle‑charging plan, introduced ordinances for water‑line funding (including a project on San Ildefonso Road), and a maintenance agreement for a rectangular rapid‑flashing beacon crosswalk on Trinity Drive at Oppenheimer. Construction on the crosswalk is expected to begin in spring; Herman also noted a lodgers tax board appointment (Brandy Engaman).

Commissioner training and outreach: Commissioners repeatedly requested a structured continuing‑education curriculum on zoning intent, variance criteria and quasi‑judicial voting requirements. Staff agreed to assemble materials and recommended pulling variance records internally to produce analytics for the commission in advance of consultant deliverables.

Data note: The chair referenced an April 2024 gap study the commission consults for housing planning and said it recorded about 7,500 individuals in the county's housing gap; staff said they will investigate whether an updated gap study can be completed ahead of or alongside the comprehensive plan.

What remains: Staff will correct identified errors on the draft (name spellings and incorrect date entries), prepare variance‑application summaries, and report back with specific code language for canyon‑rim and building‑height protections. The county council will receive the finalized work plan as part of the council review process scheduled before the Feb. 1 submission deadline.

The meeting concluded with commissioner comments, a brief report from the chair thanking staff and commissioners, and adjournment.