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Consultants outline unified land-use code, recommend 'conventional' zoning and fewer discretionary approvals
Summary
Consultants told Taos County commissioners they will prepare a unified land-use and subdivision code to replace scattered ordinances, reduce discretionary permitting where appropriate, and use conventional zones with overlays to preserve neighborhood protections.
Consultants from Architectural Research Consultants and White Smith Cousino presented the county's land-use code assessment and an outline for a rewrite designed to create clearer, more objective rules and streamline the permitting process.
"We want to create a unified code that is simpler and more user friendly," said the project manager introduced to the commission. Mark White, part of the consultant team, said the county currently requires discretionary approval for many uses beyond single-family dwellings and recommended "rightsizing" discretionary review so predictable standards in the code can replace case-by-case decisions. Consultants said they will prepare a code assessment, a detailed code outline and then undertake a several-month code rewrite with public engagement and stakeholder meetings that continue through October.
Consultants described proposing conventional zone categories — residential by density, commercial, industrial, mixed-use and agricultural — supplemented by overlay districts, architectural review, and revised development standards including PUD guidance, night-sky rules and short-term rental language. They said conventional zones could make redevelopment easier in areas with small lots while overlays could retain design protections where communities want them.
