Commission backs former 'boneyard' as preferred transfer‑station site to advance to council

The Portales Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that City Council pursue a special‑use permit process for a municipal transfer station at the city‑owned site commonly referred to as the 'boneyard.' The recommendation does not finalize land use but advances the preferred location to Council for formal action and public hearings.

Planning staff presented three potential city‑owned sites and outlined advantages and disadvantages of each, emphasizing access, industrial surroundings and city ownership. Staff told commissioners the site at the boneyard is already used for municipal storage and is near industrial yards and a holding pond, making it convenient for transfer‑station operations. Staff clarified that a special‑use permit would be required for a transfer station regardless of zoning and that rezoning the larger parcel would carry broader implications.

Commissioners asked about acreage and access. Staff said the parcel is large but could not provide exact acreage at the meeting; a site plan and detailed traffic access would be developed during the special‑use permit and site‑plan phases. Commissioners also discussed past rezoning attempts and neighborhood opposition.

After discussion a commissioner moved to approve recommendation number 1 and another commissioner seconded. A roll call vote recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed. Staff will present the commission’s recommendation to City Council to begin the special‑use permit process and additional public hearings.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; Council action is required to authorize the special‑use permit process, any rezoning and subsequent site‑plan approvals.