Mesilla commission approves Fancy Pony Boutique business license; owner told to seek sign permit

The Mesilla Planning and Zoning/Historic Appropriateness Commission on Nov. 3 approved a business license for Fancy Pony Boutique at 2309 Calle De Guadalupe, a historic-commercial property that previously housed a coffee shop.

Staff presented business license application #1423 and recommended final approval. Planning staff told the commission the application is final and does not require referral to the board of trustees. The commission moved, seconded and approved the license by voice vote, 4-0.

The owner appeared at the meeting and identified himself as Brady Reno. Reno said he and his daughter are leading the project and apologized for putting signage up before filing a separate sign permit, saying, “I didn't realize that we had to pull sign permits on top of the business permit, and so completely my fault.” He said the sign is unlit, smaller than the previous sign and that he will submit a sign-permit application to staff as soon as possible.

Planning staff said the commission was acting only on the business license that night; any signage approval would be handled separately. Staff advised that code enforcement and the marshal’s office would handle any enforcement questions if required, and that a formal sign-permit review would be placed on a future agenda if the applicant files an application.

Commissioners asked about on-site parking and staffing. The applicant said two employees typically work at one time and there are four parking spaces behind the building, with two designated for the business. The commission approved the business license after confirming those details.

No formal conditions beyond the standard permit requirements were recorded at the meeting. The town will consider the sign-permit application at a later meeting if and when the applicant files it.