Council approves Dollar General plat variance, and rezones Riverside lot for a quadruplex

The Socorro City Council approved two land‑use items after staff presentations and brief discussion.

Lorraine Camuto, city planner, presented the Socorro DG Addition subdivision request for a preliminary and final plat and a variance to reduce off‑street parking from one space per 200 square feet to one per 320 square feet of net leasable area for a one‑acre commercial parcel at 10401 Socorro Road. Camuto said planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval. Applicant representatives on the Zoom call said they had coordinated with the city's architectural review for the historic corridor facade requirements. After questions about design and location, the council approved the plat and variance by voice vote.

The council then approved a rezoning request for Lot 4, Block 12 of El Gran Valle Subdivision (listed in the packet as 11631 Riverside Road). Lorraine Quimiro, city planner, summarized the request to change zoning from R‑1 single‑family to R‑2 medium‑density to allow construction of two duplex buildings (a quadruplex) on a 20,020‑square‑foot lot. Quimiro said the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval and noted one commenter at the public hearing had raised concerns about traffic and the expected tenant profile. Council members commented on housing market pressures and the need for smaller units; the rezoning passed on voice vote.

Why it matters: The plat/variance permits a new Dollar General development subject to design and parking adjustments, and the rezoning increases allowable density at the Riverside Road site, enabling multi‑family construction where single‑family zoning previously stood. Both approvals were supported by staff recommendations and prior Planning & Zoning Commission actions.

Next steps: Applicants will proceed with permitting and building plans in accordance with city requirements and historic‑corridor design guidelines where applicable.