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Mesilla commission approves rezoning at 2886 Snow Road to allow 1-acre lots
Summary
The Mesilla PZHAC approved rezoning of 2886 Snow Rd from Rural Farm (RF) to Single‑Family Residential (R1) on Oct. 6, 2025, clearing the way for potential subdivision into roughly four 1‑acre parcels; the vote carried 3–0 with one abstention.
The Town of Mesilla Planning, Zoning and Historical Appropriateness Commission voted Oct. 6 to rezone 2886 Snow Road from Rural Farm (RF) to Residential Single‑Family (R1), a change that would allow the property owner to subdivide the parcel into roughly 1‑acre lots.
Property owner Jesus M. Caro requested the rezone at the public hearing. CED Eddie Salazar told the commission the parcel is listed as 5 acres on the warranty deed but Doña Ana County parcel records show 4.35 acres because a 37‑foot Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) right‑of‑way reduces buildable area. Salazar said the property also has a 15‑foot road easement to Snow Road. Caro said “there has been no farming at all on all of those properties since I bought. No water to irrigate,” and said he was seeking the change so his daughter could move back nearby.
Resident Natalie Bustamante Ogaz, sworn in for public comment, urged approval and cited limited EBID deliveries: “It is very hard to farm just one acre. It costs just as much to farm 10‑acres,” she said, adding that some farmers receive state payments not to farm because of water shortages.
Commissioners discussed whether the request would constitute spot zoning and the effect of the right‑of‑way on lot size. Salazar noted that adjacent property north of Fresquez Road is already zoned R1, and that the rezone request should be considered independently of any future subdivision plan. Commissioner Rosemary Alvillar moved to approve the rezone and Commissioner Lori Miller seconded. The motion passed with three yes votes and one abstention (Commissioner Martha Mulvihill), recorded as Approved (3 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain).
The commission’s action changes the parcel’s zoning classification; any subsequent subdivision will need to meet the town’s subdivision and permitting requirements and address easements and the EBID right‑of‑way. The hearing portion of the rezone was adjourned at 5:47 p.m.
