Valencia County public meetings in 2025

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission will consider two Solar Field Overlay Zone applications from Valencia Solar 1, LLC for parcels near an elementary school and community center site and near Las Maravillas Subdivision. It will also review two setback variances requested by Lucas and Candace Luna for barns on Cielo Vista in Belen, and a zone change request by Tyler and Amy Otero to reclassify land at 60 Silva Rd, Los Lunas for subdivision. These items are listed under Action Items on the agenda.

• SFOZ #2025-100: Solar Field Overlay Zone request for 34.10 acres at the elementary school & community center site, Block 32 Unit 18, Los Lunas
• SFOZ #2025-101: Solar Field Overlay Zone request for land approx. ½ mile east of Las Maravillas Subdivision, Block 50 Unit 8, Los Lunas
• Variance #2025-089: 45‑ft setback variance for a barn on 4 Cielo Vista, Belen (RR‑2)
• Variance #2025-090: 40‑ft setback variance for a barn on 15 Cielo Vista, Belen (RR‑2)
• Zone Change #2025-102: Change from RR‑2 to RR‑1 for 14.62‑acre parcel at 60 Silva Rd, Los Lunas to allow subdivision into four parcels

The commission approved the amended agenda (5‑0) and adopted the November 18 minutes (4‑0‑1). Both Solar Field Overlay Zone requests (SFOZ #2025-100 and #2025-101) were tabled at the applicant’s request. The commission voted to deny Variance #2025-089 for the Luna property (5‑0).

• Approved amended agenda (5 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Adopted November 18 minutes (4 FOR, 0 AGAINST, 1 abstain)
• Tabled SFOZ #2025-100 per applicant request
• Tabled SFOZ #2025-101 per applicant request
• Denied Variance #2025-089 (5 FOR, 0 AGAINST)

Juvenile Justice Board

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Board will confirm quorum, accept the agenda, and approve the October 14 meeting minutes. Members will vote on board composition nominations and on revisions to the board's by‑laws. The meeting also includes updates on community‑outreach events and subcommittee activities.

• Board composition vote (nominations/self‑nominations)
• Review and vote on by‑law revisions
• LLPD Shop with a Cop Program – Dec. 13
• VCAN Food Box Distribution – Dec. 20
• H2 Angel Tree Gift Wrapping – Dec. 22

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Board accepted its agenda and approved the October 14, 2025 minutes. Members voted to add four new board members for 2026. The board also approved several by‑law revisions with a 10‑0‑1 vote. A special meeting was scheduled for January 13, 2026 via Zoom.

• Agenda accepted (unanimous yes votes)
• October 14, 2025 minutes approved (unanimous yes votes)
• Four new members added – PJ Walker, Margaret Montoya, Commissioner Dante Berry, Chief Deputy John Giron (all yes votes)
• By‑law revisions approved (10‑0‑1; one abstention)
• Special board meeting set for Jan 13, 2026 via Zoom
• Community outreach events scheduled: LLPD Shop w/ a Cop (Dec 13), VCAN Food Box Distribution (Dec 20), H2 Angel Tree Gift Wrapping (Dec 22)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission will consider a request to change a property's zoning to commercial for potential resale. The body will also decide on three variance requests regarding setback requirements for structures in Los Lunas and Belen.

• Zone Change #2025-091: Request to change from Rural Residential District 1 (RR-1) to Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1) on Meadowlake Rd
• Variance #2025-088: 16-foot front yard setback variance for a car and airplane cover at 3885 Tammy Ct
• Variance #2025-089: 45-foot accessory structure setback variance for a barn at 4 Cielo Vista
• Variance #2025-090: 40-foot accessory structure setback variance for a barn at 15 Cielo Vista

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved the amended agenda with a 4‑0 vote. It also approved the October 28, 2025 minutes, recording a 3‑0 vote with one abstention. As part of the agenda, Variance #2025-088 was cancelled at the applicant’s request. No other items were voted on; variance and zone‑change requests were discussed but not decided.

• Approved amended agenda (4-0)
• Approved October 28, 2025 minutes (3-0, 1 abstain)
• Cancelled Variance #2025-088 at applicant's request

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Valencia County Planning & Zoning Commission will consider three action items. They will vote on a variance to reduce the accessory‑structure setback by 15 feet for a detached garage on Musica Rd in the Agricultural Preservation District. They will also review a conditional use application and a preliminary site design review for a proposed 116‑unit multifamily housing project on Cypress Gardens parcels at the Meadowlake Rd and Cypress Blvd intersection in the Suburban Residential District.

• Variance #2025-082: 15‑ft setback reduction for a detached garage on Musica Rd, Agricultural Preservation District.
• Conditional Use #2025-083: request to develop 116 apartment units on Cypress Gardens parcels at Meadowlake Rd & Cypress Blvd, Suburban Residential District.
• Site Design Review #2025-084: preliminary design review for the same 116‑unit multifamily project on Cypress Gardens.

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved its agenda and the September 25 minutes, each by a 3‑0 vote. A motion to table Variance #2025-082 for a 15‑foot setback at 10 Calle Fuerte was also passed unanimously (3‑0). No decision was recorded on the conditional use application for the multi‑family housing project.

• Approved agenda (3 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Approved September 25 minutes (3 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Tabled Variance #2025-082 for 10 Calle Fuerte (3 FOR, 0 AGAINST)

Juvenile Justice Board

The Valencia County Juvenile Justice Advisory Board will meet to approve previous meeting minutes, receive updates on youth programs, and discuss community outreach events.

• Approval of August 12th, 2025 meeting minutes
• Youth Subcommittee updates on public safety and literacy
• Continuum Coordinator update on community outreach and food box distribution
• Updates from H2 Academic Solutions, Juvenile Probation, and McKinney Vento programs
• Public comment period

The board accepted the meeting agenda and approved the minutes from the August 12 meeting. Members voted to nominate Andres Silva to the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board Youth Subcommittee, and the nomination was approved. All votes were recorded as yes.

• Accepted agenda (unanimous yes votes)
• Approved August 12 meeting minutes (unanimous yes votes)
• Approved nomination of Andres Silva to Youth Subcommittee (unanimous yes votes)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Valencia County Planning & Zoning Commission will review three action items. Commissioners will consider a conditional use request for a Reiki home‑occupation at 15 Whitehouse Rd. They will also consider a zone change to split the property at 1 Golden Eagle Pl, and a variance to reduce the front‑yard setback for a home addition at 2774 Highway 47.

• Conditional Use #2025-075 – Home‑occupation Reiki practice at 15 Whitehouse Rd, Los Lunas (RR‑2)
• Zone Change #2025-071 – Change from RR‑2 to RR‑1 to divide 1 Golden Eagle Pl, Los Lunas (2.24 acres)
• Variance #2025-077 – 6‑ft front‑yard setback reduction for a home addition at 2774 Highway 47, Los Lunas (RR‑2)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Valencia County Planning & Zoning Commission will meet to approve minutes and consider a request to rezone 1.62 acres to allow commercial development. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

• Approval of July 2025 minutes
• Zone Change #2025-069: RR-2 to C-2 for 1.62 acres
• Zone Change #2025-069: JA & A LLC request
• Zone Change #2025-069: North of Hwy 314 and Jose I Garcia Rd
• Next meeting scheduled for September 23, 2025

The commission approved its agenda and the July 22, 2025 minutes with a 5‑0 vote. It then approved Zone Change #2025-069, converting 1.62 acres from Rural Residential District 2 to Community Commercial District C‑2, also by a 5‑0 vote. The meeting was adjourned unanimously.

• Approved agenda (5 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Approved July 22, 2025 minutes (5 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Approved Zone Change #2025-069 (5 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Adjourned meeting (5 FOR, 0 AGAINST)

Juvenile Justice Board

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Board unanimously accepted the agenda for the August 12 meeting. The board approved the June 10, 2025 meeting minutes with one abstention. Both the Belen and Los Lunas school district MOUs will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners on August 20. No other formal actions were taken.

• Agenda accepted (unanimous yes votes)
• June 10, 2025 meeting minutes approved (all yes, 1 abstention)
• Belen and Los Lunas MOUs scheduled for presentation to Board of County Commissioners on Aug 20

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved the agenda (4‑0) and the June 24, 2025 minutes (3‑0). It then approved Conditional Use #2025‑062, allowing Viridiana Morales Varela to operate a daycare at 118 Edward Dr, Belen, NM, with one employee, a maximum of five children, and a one‑year review, subject to state and local standards. No members of the public voiced support or opposition.

• Approved agenda (4‑0)
• Approved June 24, 2025 minutes (3‑0)
• Approved Conditional Use #2025‑062 for daycare at 118 Edward Dr (4‑0) with one provider, max 5 children, 1‑year review, and compliance with state and local standards

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission adopted the meeting agenda and approved the May 27 minutes, each by a 3‑0 vote. It also approved Conditional Use #2025-051 for a temporary secondary dwelling on 41 San Eligio, Los Lunas, and approved Variance #2025-052 granting an 11‑foot side‑yard setback reduction at 4 Manana Pl, Belen. All four actions passed unanimously.

• Approved agenda (3 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Approved May 27, 2025 minutes (3 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Approved Conditional Use #2025-051 for temporary secondary dwelling (3 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Approved Variance #2025-052 for 11‑ft side‑yard setback reduction (3 FOR, 0 AGAINST)

Juvenile Justice Board

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Board voted to extend Christine Arrellin’s Continuum Coordinator contract through FY26. The board also approved increasing her hourly rate from $30.00 to $31.00 for FY26, covering the $2,080 annual increase with the 15% program support allocation. Both actions were approved with unanimous support on the contract and a single abstention on the pay increase.

• Extended Christine Arrellin’s Continuum Coordinator contract through FY26 (6‑0 vote)
• Increased Christine Arrellin’s pay rate to $31.00 per hour for FY26 (5‑0 vote, 1 abstention)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved three land‑use actions. A zone change for 91 Lopez Rd from Rural Residential 2 to Rural Residential 1 passed unanimously (4‑0). A variance reducing the front‑yard setback at 76 Turner Dr was approved by a 3‑1 vote. A zone change for a property near Manzano Expressway from Planned Development to Light/General Industrial also passed unanimously (4‑0).

• Approved amended agenda (4‑0)
• Approved Zone Change #2025-036 for 91 Lopez Rd, RR‑2 to RR‑1 (4‑0)
• Approved Variance #2025-038 for 76 Turner Dr, front‑yard setback reduction (3‑1)
• Approved Zone Change #2025-025 near Manzano Expressway, PD to Light/General Industrial (4‑0)
• Adjourned meeting (4‑0)

Juvenile Justice Board

The board accepted the meeting agenda. It approved the April 8, 2025 meeting minutes. The proposed budget adjustment reallocating funds among program categories was approved. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Agenda accepted (unanimous)
• April 8, 2025 minutes approved (unanimous)
• Budget adjustment reallocation approved (unanimous)
• Meeting adjourned (unanimous)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved an amended agenda and the March 25, 2025 minutes, each by a 4‑0 vote. The board also approved Variance #2025-029, allowing a depth‑to‑width ratio change for the 1100 N Mesa Rd property, again by a 4‑0 vote. The meeting was then adjourned unanimously.

• Approved amended agenda (4 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Approved March 25, 2025 minutes (4 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Approved Variance #2025-029 for 1100 N Mesa Rd parcel (4 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Adjourned meeting (4 FOR, 0 AGAINST)

Juvenile Justice Board

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Board accepted the agenda with an amendment to discuss NuPAC stipends. The board approved the February 11, 2024 meeting minutes. The board voted to approve the NuPAC program, allowing the youth subcommittee to earn up to $5,000 for activities; the motion passed with all votes in favor and one abstention. The board indicated the funds will be deposited into the board’s fundraising account and that further details will be addressed at future meetings.

• Accepted agenda amendment to discuss NuPAC stipends (all yes, zero no's)
• Approved February 11, 2024 meeting minutes (all yes, zero no's)
• Approved NuPAC stipends for youth subcommittee, permitting up to $5,000 per participant (all yes, 1 abstention)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved its agenda (4‑0) and the February 25 minutes (3‑0). It then approved Variance #2024-142 with conditions, voting 3‑1, and approved Variances #2024-143 and #2024-144, voting 3‑1 and 4‑0 respectively. No decision was recorded on the requested zone change for a car dealership.

• Approved agenda (4 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Approved February 25 minutes (3 FOR, 0 AGAINST)
• Approved Variance #2024-142 with auto‑dimmer condition (3 FOR, 1 AGAINST)
• Approved Variance #2024-143 (3 FOR, 1 AGAINST)
• Approved Variance #2024-144 (4 FOR, 0 AGAINST)