Planning commission approves rezoning and 3‑foot rear setback at 10387 to legalize two dwellings

The Socorro City Planning and Zoning Commission voted Feb. 3 to rezone a property listed at 10387 (street name appears variably in the record) from R‑1, single‑family residential, to R‑2, medium‑density residential, and to grant a variance reducing the rear yard setback from 20 feet to 3 feet to recognize two existing dwellings on the lot.

City staff described the property as Lot 3, Block 13 of the Alameda Estates Replat, with a lot area of 13,007.83 square feet, and recommended approval of the rezoning and variance to allow the secondary dwelling to remain. The staff presentation noted that the subdivision was recorded in 1973 and that the request aligns the zoning with the existing two‑dwelling configuration.

Commissioners questioned setbacks, construction dates and the reason for the request. A commissioner asked whether the main dwelling met front and side setbacks; staff clarified the variance request applied to the secondary (rear) dwelling only. Commissioners confirmed the rear structure was built in 1987 and the front dwelling in 1984, and staff characterized the rear unit as a legal nonconforming structure.

The property owner, identified in the record as Rogelio Saenz Jr., told the commission the house had remained in the family, saying, "it belonged to my grandfather...and my grandmother gave it to me, the property." Saenz said the applicant was seeking a second water meter because water flow to the rear unit was too slow.

After discussion the commission moved and seconded approval with staff recommendations. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Next steps: the action approves the zoning map amendment and the setback variance at the planning commission level; any related recordation, permits or utility approvals will proceed through the appropriate administrative channels.