Special Town of Taos Council Meeting 8/26/08

Posted by Jim Kimmons, Broker/Owner • August 26, 2008 • Printer-friendly

Top Five Legislative Priorities for the 2010-1014 Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan – eight priorities recommended by the Town Manager Daniel Miera for Council review/prioritization. Last one added by Council Member Darren Cordova. Infrastructure priorities approved by Council for forwarding to the State of New Mexico for appropriation consideration -

Infrastructure to and into Alexander Gusdorf Eco Park/Salazar
Taos Community Auditorium Phase II
NM 68 Corridor Study
Weimer Area Water Line
Library Expansion
Rio Grande Hall central heating/air
Este Es Rd. and Infrastructure Project
Reed and Alexander Rds.
Del Norte Lane (added by Council Member Dareen Cordova – flood control)

Note One: $2M Enterprise Fund, Town of Taos – Town Manager asked to evaluate how best to use these funds for projects such as those listed, to help with their completion.

Note Two: Some of the infrastructure projects listed will also qualify for Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG), and need to be listed on this ICIP list to receive ‘extra points’ within the CDBG qualifying criteria.

Planning & Zoning Commission – Items appealed to Council:

Applicant -- JB & Sherry Campbell, 514 Paseo North – appealing decision to deny a setback variance for a shed. Applicant’s appeal was approved by Council (they can build the shed) with a couple of conditions (improve drainage, reduce eave near adjacent owner’s home).

Applicant – Annette Harmon-Suazo and Loren D. Suazo, 1304 Delicado Lane – appealing decision to deny a conditional use permit to provide child care services at their residence. Discussion about GRT exempt businesses/services – status, etc.; and traffic issues in neighborhood. Applicants appeal was approved by Council (day care to be allowed).

Appeal withdrawn, and Council accepted withdrawal, on a certificate of appropriateness (but because it was on the agenda, it was still discussed). Applicant – Ducinea De Taos, LLC, for 619 Camino de la Placita, R-14 zone; approximately 16-lot proposed development. Item on agenda was appealing a decision made on another appeal by Glenn and Jill Sanger. Bottom line? Sangers and Dulcinea negotiated an ultimate set of conditions that has allowed them to drop today’s appeal; drop of item ‘accepted’ by Council.

Note One: conditions agreed to by Sanger/Dulcinea provided for construction of a screening wall, limited hours of construction operation, no wood burning fireplaces.

Note Two: There was extensive discussion by Council about the appropriateness of the initial application’s administrative approval under the previous Town administration, and the status of members of the public to appeal such decisions (in this case an initial certificate of appropriateness) – time period, party to issue, etc. The only action taken by Council today was to accept the withdrawal of the appeal/agenda item by Sanger. Future appeals are not something Council can or would ‘rule’ on in the abstract.c