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Taos County discussion centers on adopting a "living" comprehensive plan; commissioners seek to lock in 2025 draft
Summary
Taos County commissioners discussed Resolution 2025-38, which would create a "living" comprehensive plan based on the 2025 draft and supersede Resolution 2025‑10. Staff described the approach as iterative and supportive of grant-seeking; a motion to specify the 2025 draft was made and seconded in the meeting excerpt.
Taos County commissioners spent a substantial portion of their July 15 meeting discussing Resolution 2025‑38, which would establish a “living” comprehensive plan intended to be updated continuously rather than replaced wholesale.
Christopher Madrid, introduced to the board before his remarks, described the living-plan approach as a way to keep county planning responsive. "When a group comes together and develops a plan and strategy behind it, they can revert the comprehensive plan," Madrid said, noting that initial comprehensive plans are typically ‘‘visionary and goal setting’’ but that residents and staff are urging deeper policy and strategy work.
Supporters told the commission the living document would make Taos County more competitive for grants and allow ongoing community input. Cynthia Patterson, speaking during public comment, urged the commission to pass the resolution, saying it would "open up the document as a true living document that we can continue to work on." She noted the resolution would supersede Resolution 2025‑10 adopted April 15.
During discussion, several commissioners emphasized clarity about which draft the county would use as the baseline. One commissioner moved to specify that the commission would work from the 2025 draft now before the board; a colleague seconded the motion. The meeting transcript excerpt ends before a formal recorded final vote on that motion appears.
Why it matters: adopting a living comprehensive plan would change how the county updates land-use goals and priorities, affect how the county competes for state and federal grants, and alter how stakeholders request and track plan amendments. County staff said they would continue to refine details in the draft and bring updates back to the commission for future action.
Next step: the motion to specify the 2025 draft was seconded during the session; the record in the provided excerpt does not include a final recorded adoption vote. The commission indicated it will continue work on the plan and accept community input as updates are drafted.
