Board of Adjustment approves setback variances and replat for 321 Bayoso Drive with condition to keep pathway clear

The Socorro City Board of Adjustment on Nov. 6 approved a series of variances and a proposed replat for a property at 321 Bayoso Drive, voting to allow an existing accessory structure to remain in front of the principal dwelling and to accept reduced side‑yard setbacks for both the accessory building and the dwelling.

Planner Yadira Rodriguez told the board the property (Lot 5, Block 10, Asendas Elva Unit 2) is zoned R-1 and measures about 20,400 square feet. Staff summarized the application as requests under municipal code sections 46-239, 46-623 and 46-238 to: permit an accessory structure to remain in front of the primary residence; allow the accessory structure to encroach to roughly 1 ft 10.44 in instead of the 5-ft side-yard requirement; and allow the dwelling a reduced side-yard setback of ~4 ft 7.92 in instead of 5 ft. Staff recommended approval.

During questions, the applicant’s representative, Mr. Amaya, said the main dwelling is a single‑story mobile home and the encroaching element is an addition used as a laundry-room entrance with three steps. He said the accessory structure is used for storage, contains no utilities and was present before the family purchased the property in 1999. “There’s no electricity or there’s no utilities connected to that storage. It’s just a simple storage,” Mr. Amaya said.

Board members pressed staff and the applicant about safety and future risk from close spacing between structures, the timing of the replat, and whether demolition would be a financial hardship. One member said enforcing the code could require demolition and asked whether applicants had obtained demolition quotes; the applicant said none had been obtained and that demolition costs would likely be high. Staff confirmed the replat has not yet been approved by planning and zoning or city council and that the BOA decision would inform later approvals.

Board member Marian Cruz moved to approve the variance requests with a condition that “the space between the house and the shed/pathway remain clear of clutter,” and Albert Lagunas seconded. The board voted in favor and the motion carried; no nays or abstentions were recorded.

The action grants the specific variances described in the application and places a long‑term condition on the property to keep the area between the dwelling and accessory structure clear of loose items. The replat will proceed to planning and zoning commission and city council for subsequent consideration.

Clarifying details recorded at the hearing: the parcel is described in the application as Lot 5, Block 10, Asendas Elva Unit 2; the lot was presented as approximately 20,400 sq. ft. and the applicant proposed splitting the lot into two parcels of about 10,200 sq. ft. each; measurements presented showed the accessory structure’s side-yard at about 1.87 ft (requiring ~3.13 ft variance) and the dwelling’s side-yard at about 4.66 ft (requiring ~0.34 ft variance). The transcript recorded staff recommendations to approve the three variances; staff also showed aerial photos and a proposed replat map at the hearing.

The board’s approval is limited to the variances and condition described; any building permits, replat approvals or other actions by planning and zoning or city council remain separate and subject to their review.

The BOA meeting minutes will reflect the motion to approve with condition and the board’s vote. No appeal or further action was recorded at the meeting.