Planning staff previews roadside memorial rules, sign-code fix and state childcare-law changes for next month

At the July 7 meeting staff told the Planning and Zoning Commission it will bring several non-OTP items back next month for formal consideration.

Staff previewed a draft rule that would set size, placement and ownership-permission parameters for roadside memorials (descansos), noting the intent is to respect tradition while protecting right-of-way safety. The draft would allow staff to flag nonconforming memorials and provide time for families to bring them into compliance.

Staff also identified a minor text amendment to the sign ordinance that corrects an obsolete code reference and a separate set of text amendments likely needed to comply with a new New Mexico law that limits local regulation of home-based childcare (for example, preventing local limits on parking or charging licensing fees). Staff said those code revisions will require careful review of the municipal use table and business-licensing infrastructure.

Staff further said the department faces short-term capacity constraints: one planner will be on maternity leave and another staff member is retiring, which could delay drafting and outreach. "We're going to have to run the business licensing program on my own for the next few months," staff said, noting prioritization of revenue-critical tasks tied to gross receipts.

The commission did not take action on these items; staff asked permission to place them on next month’s agenda as hearings or reports. The zone-change hearing mentioned by a commissioner is scheduled for September.