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Mesilla commission approves corrugated porch amendment for 2450 Calle Principal over preservation concerns, 3–1
Summary
The commission approved an amendment to a previously permitted project at 2450 Calle Principal to change the front porch to a weathered red corrugated metal roof despite requests to see a photo sample; the motion passed 3–1 after debate over historic compatibility and missing agency signatures.
The Mesilla Planning, Zoning and Historical Commission voted 3–1 to approve an amendment request from Felix Armijo to change a previously approved front parapet porch to a corrugated red metal front porch at 2450 Calle Principal.
Staff introduced PNC case 061823 and said the amendment does not change the project footprint: it replaces a flat parapet porch with a corrugated front porch. Staff noted the zone is Historic Commercial and that other corrugated roofs exist in the plaza area; drainage will tie into previously approved north and south drainage ponds. Staff also explained that amending an approved permit requires rereview and that some signatures on the file were not immediately available because staff were out of the office.
Contractor Dave Salas identified himself and explained the owner already has weathered corrugated metal available and that he tried to advise the owner to change the parapet look. "It's not a pristine red color," Salas said, adding the existing material is weathered and would blend with surrounding elements. Several commissioners requested a photo sample of the actual corrugated metal to confirm compatibility with the historic district; others argued that a delay was unnecessary if the material is already on hand.
A commissioner raised concern that some signatures on the amendment documents did not look original; staff said the missing signatures were due to absences, offered to provide original documents by email, and affirmed fees had been paid for the permit process. Commissioners discussed whether public works and the fire department needed to sign off for this amendment; staff said that for a small amendment they did not always re-obtain those signatures but offered to provide documentation if the commission wanted to postpone.
Commissioner Gallegos moved to approve the amendment and Commissioner Miller seconded. The commission voted three in favor and one opposed; the chair announced the motion passed 3–1 (Commissioner Mulvihill voted no). The contractor agreed to send a photo of the weathered material after the meeting.
Next steps: staff will record the commission’s action in the project file and forward the recommendation or decision per standard permit-processing steps.
