Lydia E Ponce

The committee convened to discuss the Transportation Improvement Program and Road Safety Audit project proposals. Key actions included the approval of an amendment to the Fiscal Year 24-29 Transportation Improvement Program, addressing specific transit and highway project funding. Additionally, members engaged in a prioritization discussion regarding nine geographic locations identified for potential Road Safety Audit applications, utilizing a five-year study of crash data to evaluate safety concerns for different road users.

The commission held its annual meeting where the primary items of business included the election of officers, the approval of the 2021 annual notice requirements for meetings, the adoption of the 2021 meeting schedule, and the review and approval of the commission's by-laws. Additionally, the commission engaged in a discussion regarding potential amendments to Plan 2040 and the Unified Development Code.

The commission agenda focused on an appeal case regarding a denied Special Use Permit for an auto repair facility located at 2825 Opitz Road. The staff recommended upholding the Zoning Administrator's decision to deny the appeal due to the business's noncompliance with zoning and building codes, its incompatibility with the surrounding residential area, and the lack of proper permits. The agenda also included standard administrative items such as roll call, approval of the agenda, administrative approvals for permits, and opportunities for staff and commission input.

The commission reviewed two main cases. The first case (SU19-007) involved a request for a special use permit for a children's charter school to operate at 2215 N. Valley Drive. The second case (Z19-004) involved a zone change request from a T3 Neighborhood Edge Zone to a C2 Community Commercial Zone for a property located at 4408 Hwy 478, to facilitate the operation of a retail and storage facility for solar panels. The agenda also included administrative, staff, and commission reports.

The Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting covering numerous operational and financial items. Key discussions included the canvassing of election recount results for District 4, a quarterly performance report from the Fire and Emergency Service Department, and the awarding of multiple competitive bids for sanitation and wastewater maintenance services. The Commission approved the acceptance of a grant from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, authorized the transfer of property rights and maintenance responsibility for West Canal Street to the Village of Hatch, reviewed a year-end budget revision, and discussed operational agreements and potential contracts for a Crisis Triage Center. Additionally, the Board considered amendments to existing ordinances regarding face coverings and economic development.