Council approves variance for Sabine Drive mobile home after adding gas-line locate and retaining-wall conditions

The Sunland Park City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 20 to approve Variance 25-143, a request to allow a mobile home at 311 Sabine Drive that does not meet the required front and rear setbacks. Staff recommended approval with conditions but councilors and staff raised public-safety concerns tied to an unverified gas line location and the structural status of nearby rock walls.

During the hearing, planning staff displayed aerial photos and site measurements showing the mobile home’s front setback at roughly 12.5 feet (required 15 feet) and a rear setback of about 10.5 feet (required 15 feet); staff said side setbacks met code. The planner and councilors urged caution because a gas meter appears near the front rock wall and the exact location of the gas line had not been field-verified.

At council request, staff and the property owner proposed and the council approved an amendment requiring the property owner to obtain a professional locate of the gas line and for staff to verify the line’s location before final approval steps proceed. Council also required verification of any retaining/rock-wall construction and compliance with approved grading and retention plans; staff warned the city does not perform vertical construction inspections and that property owners bear responsibility for structural compliance.

Council discussed a nonstandard second driveway cut on the lot; staff said city code generally allows one driveway per dwelling unit and the minutes will reflect direction that the nonconforming cut be addressed. The variance passed with those conditions and the amendment; no public commenters appeared at the hearing.