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Council approves rezoning of 11660 Socorro Road after resident raises access and noise concerns
Summary
The Socorro City Council voted to amend the master plan and rezone 11660 Socorro Road from single-family (R-1) to light commercial (C-1) to allow a five-space retail concept, despite a resident letter raising concerns about taxes, noise, privacy, and stormwater ponding; staff and the planning commission recommended approval.
The Socorro City Council on July 2 adopted an ordinance to amend the city master plan and rezone Tracts 17D and 17D-1 at 11660 Socorro Road from R-1 (single-family residential) to C-1 (light commercial) to allow commercial retail development.
Samuel Leoni, representing property owner Victor Pantoja Nunez, told the council the property—vacant since a 2018 fire—would be reused as a retail center. "The intention of the owner's intention is to utilize this as a commercial, retail center," Leoni said, offering to answer questions about the conceptual plan.
A written letter from nearby resident Jose Duran, read aloud by city planner Diego Ruiz, urged caution. The letter said the rezoning "concerns us in various ways," warning it could contribute to higher property taxes for elderly homeowners, increase noise from businesses using loud marketing, reduce privacy along shared property lines and create ponding that could "become a mosquito breeding run" and threaten vulnerable neighbors.
City planner Lorraine Quimiro presented the staff recommendation and parcel details: the site is about 44,605 square feet, currently zoned R-1, and a conceptual plan shows five retail spaces totaling roughly 3,750 square feet with approximately 12 parking spaces. Quimiro said planning staff and the planning and zoning commission recommended approval (planning commission vote: 3 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention).
Council members pressed on emergency access and utilities. Quimiro and the applicant emphasized that rezoning itself does not dedicate private roadways and that access and potential dedication would be addressed in subsequent platting and development reviews. Police Chief Robert C. Rojas told the council city emergency vehicles can access the dirt road serving the properties but noted it is rough.
Following discussion, a council member moved and the council voted to approve the rezoning; the chair called for 'aye' and the motion carried. The council and staff noted any changes to access, dedication of Mansell/Manzo Court, and final connectivity would be addressed during the preliminary and final plat processes rather than at rezoning.
Next steps: With rezoning adopted, any lot splits, dedicated roadway actions or detailed site plans will return to planning and zoning and then to the council as required; neighbors and applicants will need to coordinate on any future dedication or development agreements.
