Mesilla planners recommend updates to sign code, including more temporary signs and higher permit fees

The Mesilla Planning, Zoning and Historical Appropriateness Commission voted to recommend a package of sign-code amendments to the Board of Trustees after a staff presentation and public comments. Mr. Salazar, the town staff member presenting the item, said the changes are targeted at the commercial zone and include increasing temporary sign allowances from two to four per year and adding a new definition for gas-pump island signs.

Residents and business owners urged clearer wording and enforcement. Mary Helen Taylor Raichi, who testified during the public comment period, described sandwich signs blocking a Cay de Santiago walkway and urged enforcement: “there are three sandwich signs for that property” that “are blocking the walkway.” Chris Alexander told the commission he believed enforcement was lax and warned larger commercial signage could harm the town's historic character. Business owner Jonathan Seb asked the commission to focus language on the public right of way rather than strict sidewalk wording: “shall not impede the public right of way,” he suggested, to allow some flexibility for signs near light poles while protecting pedestrian access.

The draft ordinance also proposes defining gas-pump island signs so that convenience store properties can have appropriate informational signage and raising permit fees from $2 to $5 per square foot (capped at $50) to better cover administrative costs. Commissioners debated enforcement mechanisms and ADA implications for A-frame signs before voting to forward the recommendations to the board for formal consideration. Next steps: the Board of Trustees will receive the commission's recommendation and consider ordinance language and enforcement details.