Sandoval County planning board approves Dominguez rezoning for vineyard and family housing, defers event venue and parking

The Sandoval County Planning & Zoning Commission on Monday approved a special‑use rezoning for a 13.9‑acre parcel in Placitas owned by Jonathan and Antoinette Dominguez, allowing restoration of a historic residence, a small vineyard and future family cluster housing but withholding approval of the proposed wedding/event venue and its associated parking.

Planner Jeanette Cunningham Stevens told the commission the applicants seek a zone map amendment from the Las Placitas Community District (CD‑LP) to a Special Use district to permit a mix of residential, agricultural and limited commercial activities. Stevens said staff issued a split recommendation: deny if the application included storage of company‑owned refuse trucks, but send a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to approve with conditions if truck storage were removed.

Antoinette Dominguez, who said her family has farmed the land for generations, described restoration work since buying the property in 2021, including clearing debris, drilling a well and stabilizing eroded areas. “Our goal is simply to continue providing the residents of Placitas with a locally owned and operated family business that offers affordable rates and the family service our community has come to expect,” she said, asking permission to park two non‑CDL trash trucks behind a pole barn on the rear of the property.

Neighbors who live within a mile of the site urged caution or denial, citing long‑term concerns about heavy vehicles, dust, amplified noise in the valley and water use. “The noise from garbage trucks and music playing from an event center will be significant,” said Peggy Roberts, who said she can see the site from her home. Multiple speakers said they had filed complaints and, in some cases, observed what they described as commercial hauling and site work before the application was filed.

County staff and the deputy county attorney clarified that a special‑use district is limited to the specific authorized activities listed in the approved amendment and that additional or altered uses would require further review. Staff also noted the Placitas area plan discourages industrial activities in the community district and flagged potential negative impacts from refuse‑truck storage because of dust, engine noise and odor. The county attorney explained that special‑use entitlements “run with the land” while continued operations and any changes must comply with the conditions of approval and separate permitting processes.

Commissioners pressed applicants on traffic, road width and water. The applicant said the private access road is currently about 20 feet wide and that the proposed event building would be about 4,000 square feet with outdoor components; the applicants estimated starting the vineyard at around an acre and said they may expand up to five acres in the future subject to permitting and water availability. The applicants said the two trash trucks are emptied daily and would be parked out of public view behind a barn.

After debate, the commission first rejected a motion to approve only truck parking. It then approved a motion, 4–2, to allow the vineyard, restoration of the historic house and family cluster housing and other listed uses but to exclude approval for the event venue and its parking pending further review. Commissioners who voted in favor said the permitted uses would allow restoration and family housing while protecting neighborhood character; commissioners in opposition said the event venue posed risks to rural character and traffic safety.

The commission’s approval includes conditions requiring compliance with Sandoval County building, fire, water‑well classification and New Mexico Environment Department septic rules and other county permitting steps. County staff stressed that additional technical approvals — including water rights and well classification from the Office of the State Engineer, environmental permits and fire marshal occupancy determinations — remain necessary before any structures can operate.

The Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners as the next step in the land‑use process. The commission adjourned after brief administrative announcements.