Mesilla planning commission approves Tiara de Mesilla restaurant layout and two new signs for El Parian building

The Town of Mesilla Planning, Zoning and Historical Appropriateness Commission on March 16 approved zoning case 062102 for a restaurant at 1705 B and separately approved a sign permit (062058) for two signs on the newly constructed commercial building.

The commission’s approval of zoning case 062102 was conditioned on submission of full floor plans showing where alcohol will be served and consumed inside the restaurant and on the patio, consistent with the town’s procedures for alcohol licensing. During the public discussion staff said the plans are needed because "it is typically because it is a new building" and to show "procedures, where the bar is gonna be at" for security and state oversight (Clerk/Staff, speaker 4).

The applicant and staff described the operation as a restaurant with indoor dining and a patio. The presenter clarified how servers would serve the patio from the interior bar: "The area where the alcohol is being served will be in our and the table dining area. We do have the patio, which... allows customers to dine outside" (Clerk/Staff, speaker 4). Commissioners asked about fencing to ensure patio access is controlled from inside the restaurant and about whether the bar would be a sit-down bar; staff and the applicant responded that the patio would be fenced and servers would serve the outdoor area.

On the sign permit (case 062058), staff explained the application filed by "Cesar Wissant, owner of El Parian / El Parian de Mesilla," for two mounted signs on the front corners of the building. The record includes the commission’s discussion of the code calculation used to determine allowed sign area (the transcript references a formula expressed as a 1.5 multiplier on linear feet of façade). Staff told the commission the signs would be installed by a licensed contractor and that the sign permit application includes drawings, street views and location details.

Commissioners questioned whether the proposed 64 square feet exceeded the allowable area calculated under the code method discussed during the meeting and reviewed façade measurements; staff and commissioners agreed the applicant may need to adjust sign size or use existing downcasting lighting to avoid additional glare. The commission voted to approve the sign permit after that discussion.

The commission’s motions were recorded on the agenda and carried without condition beyond the required floor plans for the alcohol area. The meeting record includes a formal motion to approve zoning case 062102 (moved and seconded during the meeting) and a separate motion to approve sign permit 062058. The chair announced the zoning motion passed 4–0; the sign permit passed by voice vote as recorded in the meeting minutes.

The commission did not set an additional requirement beyond submission of the floor plans tied to alcohol licensure; final licensing and building-code compliance remain subject to review by relevant town and state officials.

The commission moved on to other items; the zoning and sign approvals will be reflected in the official minutes and in any subsequent permitting actions by town departments.