Dear Las Crucens,
The City is updating their Zoning code and this could potentially impact ALL people living and working in Las Cruces. The City is accepting comments on the draft of the new code until April 5th. UPDATE: The City is still accepting comments as of April 25.
Will you please submit a written comment about the new code?
See below for more information and potential talking points.
Updated Zoning Code
This 9-minute video explains the changes in the new proposed Zoning code:
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
- The City has confirmed that the new proposed code will REMOVE the 300-foot buffer requirement between cannabis dispensaries and homes.
- There is currently no mention in the code of what areas will allow livestock. They have completely removed the zoning that previously allowed for livestock in certain areas.
Please submit comments here: https://freese.mysocialpinpoint.com/realize-las-cruces-comment-wall/ideas#/
Scroll down if you need more info or potential talking points. Please be respectful in your communications for the maximum positive impact.
Make sure to Click on the box that says “3 Zoning Regulations” and then you will be able to make your comment.
NOTE: The comment form only allows short comments. Feel free to LEAVE MULTIPLE COMMENTS in order to make your voice heard.
More Info About the Zoning Changes
The proposed new Zoning code for Las Cruces includes some significant changes.
- There will no longer be single-family residential zoning in Las Cruces.
- In general, existing residential areas will be re-zoned to Neighborhood Districts (NH1, NH2, or NH3), which will all allow for a mixture of single family homes, duplexes, apartments, and mobile homes. See the map below that shows the proposed zoning for each area of Las Cruces.
- All neighborhood districts (NH1, NH2, and NH3) will allow some types of businesses to be present as well as schools, city facilities, museums, and
- professional offices (allowed in NH2 and NH3, special-use-permit required for NH1)
- medical clinics (NH2 and NH3)
- hotels (NH2 and NH3)
- banks (NH2 and NH3)
- grocery/retail stores/restaurants (allowed in NH2 and NH3, special-use-permit required for NH1).
- Gas pumps are allowed in neighborhood district NH3. Special-use-permit required for gas pumps in NH2 and NH3.
- Liquor stores are allowed in neighborhood district NH3.
- Bars are allowed in neighborhood districts NH2 and NH3. Special-use-permit required for NH1.
- Cannabis dispensaries are allowed in ALL neighborhood districts (NH1, NH2, and NH3). Cannabis indoor agriculture is allowed in NH3, but special use permits would be required for NH1 and NH2.
- The new code will REMOVE the 300-foot buffer requirement between cannabis businesses and homes.
- There will now be a cap on how large parking lots can be at businesses. (Existing businesses would be grandfathered in.)
- The required minimum number of parking places has been reduced for many types of businesses.
- Where the minimum allowed parking spaces is 20 or less, no more than 50% over the minimum of parking spaces will be allowed.
- Where the minimum allowed parking spaces is over 20, no more than 10% over the minimum of parking spaces is allowed (unless there is a parking demand study and approval up to 50% additional parking by the Community Development Director).
- If you want to see what minimum parking is allowed for different types of businesses in more detail, download the draft code above and look at pages 194-202.
- There is currently no mention in the code of what areas will allow livestock. They have completely removed the zoning that previously allowed for livestock in certain areas.
Potential Talking Points
Here are some potential talking points about the new Zoning code. Please do NOT copy-paste these verbatim. Your communications will be most effective if you add in your own words as well. Please be respectful to make the most positive impact.
- The new code removes single family residential zoning altogether. This is wrong. There are many people and families who want to live in neighborhoods with only homes (with no businesses, apartments, etc).
- There need to be some areas of town that maintain the ability to have homes only, without businesses, apartments, etc.
- Cannabis needs to have at least the same restrictions as liquor. Please make the cannabis dispensary zoning restrictions consistent with those for liquor by not allowing dispensaries in Zone NH1.
- The new Code allows bars in neighborhood zones NH2 and NH3, as well as NH1 with a special use permit. Families need to have the option to live in neighborhoods without bars.
- Please do not add in a parking lot size cap. Businesses need to have the flexibility to determine their own parking needs.
