PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

                                                     DRAFT MEETING MINUTES 

EDELWEISS CONDOMINIUMS

TAOS SKI VALLEY, NEW MEXICO

MONDAY, JULY 2, 2007 1:00 P.M.

I.          CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL

Chairperson Tom Wittman called the meeting to order. A quorum was established with Commission members Elisabeth Brownell, Richard Duffy, Mary Mortimer, Susan Nichols, Steve Ruppert, Chris Stagg, and Tom Wittman present.

II.         APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

It was requested to add discussion of the landscape guidelines and discussion of development updates under Miscellaneous.

MOTION: To approve the agenda as amended.

                         Motion: Mary Mortimer Second: Steve Ruppert        Passed: 7-0.

III.        APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 4, 2007 MEETING

MOTION: To approve the minutes as presented.

                         Motion: Chris Stagg     Second: Mary Mortimer    Passed: 7-0.

IV.        NEW BUSINESS

            A.         Discussion Regarding Draft Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) for FY 2009-2013

Rob Straebel explained that a draft Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) has been developed by Staff for the Planning & Zoning Commission’s consideration. This document is updated annually to plan for the Village’s future capital infrastructure needs and is submitted to the State of New Mexico. Legislators then consider the requests for funds when awarding legislative appropriations, especially for the top five priorities from the list. In the proposed list, water infrastructure needs based on the water master plan comprise the top three projects: installing five new pressure relief valves, upgrading and looping the water line on Big Horn Hill and Wolf Lane, and replacing the chlorination building in the Kachina District. Many items on last year’s list were accomplished, and the other projects have moved up on the list from last year’s list. Discussion of several items on the list took place.

MOTION: To recommend the proposed ICIP to the Village Council, with the change of moving item #12, Design/Construct Pedestrian Walkways to just after item #7, Develop Community Wide Pedestrian Trail Master Plan.

                         Motion: Susan Nichols              Second: Elisabeth Brownell               Passed: 7-0

                B.      Discussion Regarding Revising Subdivision and Zoning Regulations

Straebel explained that while many changes to the Village’s codes and regulations have taken place over the last 2-3 years, many more changes could still take place. Recent changes have included: adoption of a new Village Master Plan, implementation of a community-wide impact fee system, establishment of water body setbacks, implementation of grading and excavation regulations, discussion of a cluster development ordinance, revision of the development fee schedule, adoption of a wildland urban interface ordinance, and implementation of design standards including terrain management and landscaping. For discussion, the Zoning Ordinance from the City of Brea, California was offered for review as it has many good ideas, although it was not suggested the Village adopt this ordinance. Bruce Kelly explained that many municipalities combine the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances into one document, if the Commission wanted to consider that change.

The Commission viewed the first half of a documentary titled “Rethinking Suburban Sprawl”, and then decided that the Village’s Zoning Ordinance needs to be discussed over the following few months, first identifying changes that need to be made. Specifically, the issue of density needs to be addressed.

V.         OLD BUSINESS

 VI.        MISCELLANEOUS

            A.         Don Schieber explained that the landscaping guidelines are being implemented. The size of a house on a lot is limited by the easements and setbacks.

            B.         Several development projects are currently on hold by their builders: the Thunderbird project, the Sangre de Cristo project, and the Bavarian project.

VII.       ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DATE, TIME & PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING: Monday, July 30, 2007 at 1:00 p.m at the Edelweiss Condominiums.

VIII.      ADJOURNMENT 

            MOTION: To adjourn.

            Motion: Mary Mortimer            Second: Steve Ruppert            Passed: 7-0.

________________________________________

Tom Wittman, Chairperson