Planning commission approves casita rental at 501 El Paraiso Road

The Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve application BB24‑O1 on Sept. 10, allowing a detached casita at 501 El Paraiso Road NW to be used as a bed‑and‑breakfast/casita rental.

Director Hill told the commission the application meets the relevant provisions of the comprehensive zoning code and recommended approval. "The application is complete and meets all applicable regulations for bed and breakfast," he said. Staff noted the casita would be operated with the owner living in the main residence, a distinction the code uses to differentiate bed‑and‑breakfasts from other short‑term rentals.

Applicant Margaret Bridal Disk, sworn in during the hearing, said the request applies only to the detached casita and not to her main house. "I'm not going to have anyone in my home," Disk said, adding she is willing to obtain a certificate of occupancy if the commission requires one.

Neighbors speaking against the application said a permitted rental would increase traffic and on‑street parking in an established residential block. Diana Clark of 601 El Paraiso Road NW said, "I do object to this," and urged the commission not to approve the application because of concerns about strangers, street parking and neighborhood character. Longtime resident Camille Vados thanked the village for having recently resurfaced her block but asked whether the roadway could become an arterial and whether more traffic should be expected.

Commissioners asked technical questions about the site plan, asking whether a labeled storage area constituted a garage for the casita and whether square footage figures matched the application. Director Hill clarified that casitas under the village code are not permitted to have a dedicated garage and that staff measured the guest house at 565 square feet, well under the 1,000‑square‑foot limit for a second unit on a lot.

After discussion, a motion to approve BB24‑O1 was moved and seconded. The commission approved the application by roll call: Commissioners Barrow, Martinez, Edward, Baldwin, Drew and Homan voted yes; Commissioner Haywood was absent. The commission closed the hearing after the vote.

The commission did not adopt any additional conditions on the record beyond the staff recommendation; the applicant may be required to provide or verify any necessary building permits or a certificate of occupancy as an administrative follow‑up.

Recording staff said they will schedule routine follow‑up steps for permitting and enforcement if needed.