Torrance County Planning and Zoning Regular Meeting Agenda

Torrance County Planning & Zoning Board Agenda
Commission Chambers, Administrative Offices
205  9th Street, Estancia, New Mexico 87016

REGULAR MEETING

January 3, 2012

9:30  a.m.

CALL TO ORDER:

  9:30 a.m.
  Pledge of Allegiance
  Approval of Agenda
  Approval of Minutes:  Regular meeting of December 6, 2011

ACTION ITEMS:

1.  Claim of Exemption
     Applicant: Manzano Limited Partnership
     Agent:  Tim Oden, Oden & Associates
     Request:  Exemption #7 - Lot Line Adjustment
     Site:  Lands of Manzano Limited Partnership, a portion o which was platted as Lands of Adron
              Brown  within Section 27; and unplatted portions within Sections 21 and 22, T6N, R7E,
              NMPM
      Zone:  AP-40 - Agricultural Preservation (40 acre minimum)

2.  Revocation of conditions placed on a Conditional Use Permit
     Speaker:  Steve Guetschow
     Regarding:  PNM Conditional use Permit approved on November 1, 2011
     Site:  Tract B, Land of Anne M. Current, Section 9, T9N, R8E, NMPM
     Zone:  RR - Rural Residential

3.  Conditional Use Permit
     Applicant:  Verizon Wireless
     Agent:  Reg Destree
     Request:  Construction and operation of 80' communication tower.
     Site:  NE4 SW4 Section 15, T9N, R13E, NMPM
     Zone:  C - Conservation

4.  Conditional Use Permit/Variance
     Applicant:  KXNM  88.7 FM Community Foundation
     Agent:  Art Swenka, President
     Request:  Conditional Use Permit for construction and operation of communication tower for a
                    public radio station;  Variance for height exceeding eighty (80) feet
     Site:  Within the Lands of Jeanne Wetterman,  SW4 NE4 Section 8, T5N, R12E, NMPM
     Zone:  A- Agricultural

5.  Conditional Use Permit
     Applicant:  Antoinet Vigil
     Request:  CUP for home occupation of child care center
     Site:  8390 Highway 55 (Lot 4, Tract B, Projected Section 22, T5N, R5E, NMPM)
     Zone:  RCP - Rural Community Preservation

6.  Conditional Use Permit/Variance
     Applicant:  ENXCO
     Agent:  Towner Services Inc.
     Request:  Conditional Use Permit for construction and operation of temporary meteorological
                     tower; Variance for height exceeding eighty feet.
     Site:  Tower 1-B (Lands of Biebelle, SE4 Section 26, T2N, R14E, NMPM)
     Zone:  A - Agricultural

7.  Conditional Use Permit/Variance
     Applicant: ENXCO
     Agent: Towner Services Inc.
     Request: Conditional Use Permit for construction and operation of temporary meteorological
                   tower; Variance for height exceeding eighty feet.
     Site: Tower 2-A (Lands of Biebelle, N2 Section 11, T1N, R14E, NMPM)
     Zone: A - Agricultural

8.  Conditional Use Permit/Variance
     Applicant:  ENXCO
     Agent:  Towner Services Inc.
     Request:  Conditional Use Permit for construction and operation of temporary meteorological
                     tower; Variance for height exceeding eighty feet
     Site:  Tower 9-A (Lands of Tracey, S2 Section 19, T1N, R14E, NMPM)
     Zone:  A - Agricultural

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  Pursuant to New Mexico State Statute Section 10-15-1 (NMSA 1978),
                                        these issues can be addressed in general.  No decision can be rendered
                                        at this meeting.

1.  Regulations regarding land division by deed
     Speaker:  Betty Caber, County Assessor

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  As per Motion and Roll Call Vote, pursuant to New Mexico State Statute
                                           Section 10-15-1 NMSA 1978), the following matters will be discussed in
                                           Closed Session:

                                            1.  Personnel Matters:  10-15-1 (h)(2)
                                            2.  Threatening and Pending Litigation:  10-15-1 (h)(7)

                                           Reconvene from Executive Session.

ADJOURN:


If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Torrance County Manager's Office at 205 9th Street, Room 12, Estancia, NM 87016  (505) 246-4735 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible.  Public documents, including the agendas and minuets, can be provided in various accessible formats.  Please contact the Torrance County Clerk's Office at 205 9th Street Room 1 Estancia, NM 87016  (505) 246-4735 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

NOTE:  THIS AGENDA IS PROVIDED AS A SERVICE AND IS NOT THE OFFICIAL AGENDA.  PLEASE CONTACT THE TORRANCE COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING OFFICE FOR OFFICIAL COPIES OF AGENDAS AND INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS OR ANY OTHER PUBLIC MEETING.

Steven J. Guetschow - Planning & Zoning Coordinator - Email
Phone: (505) 246-4761
Dan DeCosta - Planning & Zoning Code Enforcement - Email
Phone: (505) 246-4760
Leslie Olivas - Planning & Zoning Clerk - Email
Phone: (505) 246-4759

MMAC - Letter to Members from President Anne Ravenstone

Dear MMAC Members
A ho, ho, ho to you this holiday season in honor of a very jolly year thanks to the support and enthusiasm of all you Manzano Mountain Arts Council member elves!

When I accepted the presidency last spring, I told my board I was only willing to do this because the organization was at a place where people were working together, taking a lot of responsibility, and full of creative enthusiasm. Well, that was even more true than I realized at the time, and I am very pleased to be the president of this organization with such a strong, committed membership and a hard working, talented board (thank you Addie Draper, Mary Schultz, Norma Pineda, Nancy Stone, Christine Franks, Lydia Strickland, Kathy Davies, Nancy Townson, Kent Potter and Dianne Doan).

2011 started very “deliciously” with a Sweet Retreat at Alpine Alley where the membership gave valuable feedback to past and future programs. We had a raffle of the fine work of three local artists and enjoyed refreshments made by Mary Childers. Sweet Retreat II is planned for February, 2012 (can you believe it is really going to be 2012?!)

The most exciting accomplishment this year was the opening of Mountain Arts on Broadway – an art center providing space for workshops, classes, and artist studios as well as a venue for informal performances and get togethers. Many thanks to our landlord, Phil Archuletta, who lets us rent the space for a very nominal fee and to all the volunteers who put in many, many hours of work to renovate the space – Tomas Wolff, Celeste Simon (and visiting friend!), Dean Schroeder, Kathy Baur, Elaine Zabor, and Kent Potter were the main workers, but I know there were others who gave their time – thank you all.

“Bach and Brownies” was the fundraiser that assured a strong start to the art center. James Yeager presented a concert on the harpsichord that was amazing and he entertained us with historical anecdotes about the instrument and its composers that made the afternoon one to remember in Mountainair. With James’ and Elaine’s monetary match and the funds contributed, Mountain Arts on Broadway was able to get off to a strong start with a feeling of real community support.

Additionally, the year saw programming that included a June Chautauqua (with Western performer Steve Cormier), a July performance of the Community Chorus, another successful and fun Sunflower Festival in August, the ever popular De Profundis in September, The Palomas Trio fundraiser at Joan Bybee’s and Ira Jaffe’s in October, a delightful performance by Kathleen Clute of some of the pieces on her new album, and a wonderful variety of classes and workshops at the new art center. Thanks to the Bybee Foundation we were able to bring the Santa Fe Opera in for a week residency at the Elementary School in the spring and the National Dance Institute of New Mexico just completed a week residency in December – high quality programming and quite an opportunity for the young people of a small town like Mountainair.

We once again received our major grant from New Mexico Arts – thank you Karen Smith for your grant writing skills. Tomas Wolff applied for and received a grant from New Mexico Clay Association that paid for children’s clay classes this summer. Some wonderful very recent news is that a grant Kathy Davies wrote to BNSF Railroad was successful and they are sending $2,500 our way!

I apologize if there are events and people I have overlooked - we had such a rich and full year! We have new and exciting events planned for 2012. I hope you all will keep communicating your thoughts and desires regarding programming and will continue your much appreciated membership support. Have a safe (take care in all this snow and mud!) and happy holiday!

Anne Ravenstone

Torrance County Commission Meeting Agenda 12-28-2011

Torrance County Commisson

Regular Meeting to be Held at:

Administrative Offices of Torrance County

Commission Chambers

205 9th Street

Estancia, New Mexico 87016

AGENDA

December 28th, 2011

9:00 A.M.

Please Silence All Electronic Devices

Call Meeting to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation

     Approval of Minutes: December 14, 2011
     Approval of Meeting Agenda
     Approval of Consent Agenda:
          1. Approval of Warrants
          2.  Approval of Indigent Claims

Public Requests:  At the Discretion of the Commission Chair. For Information Only (No Action Can Be Taken). Comments are limited to two minutes per person on subjects not on this published agenda.

ACTION ITEMS*

Commisson Matters:

  1. Retirement Presentation to Joyce Yeaw
  2. Request for Assistance
  3. Request for Actual Reimbursement of Expenses for Legislative Conference - Commissioner
      Freyburger.
  4. Allocation of Wind PILT Funds
  5. 2012-03 RFP Award for Cellular Phone Service
  6. Commission Update

*Department Requests/Reports:

  7. Updates
  8. Request Gym Membership for Sheriff's Staff - Sheriff Heath White
  9. US Forest Contract Renewal - Michelle Wells, Sheriff Administrator

*County Manager Requests/Reports:

  10. Department Take Home Vehicle Discussio
  11. Update

EXECUTIVE SESSION

As Per Motion and Roll Call Vote, Pursuant to New Mexico Statute Section 10-15-1, the Following Matters Will Be Discussed In Closed Session:

     1. Peronnel Matters: 10-15-1 (h)(2)
     2. Threatening and Pending Litigation: 10-15-1 (h)(7)
          a. Threatened Litigation

*Reconvene from Executive Session

*Adjourn

If you are an individual with a disabilty who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Torrance County Clerk's Oiffce ta 205 9th Street, Room 1, Estancia, NM, 87016 (505) 246-4735 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

****NOTE:  THIS AGENDA IS PROVIDED AS A COURTESY AND COULD CONTAIN TRANSCRIPTION ERRORS.  PLEASE VISIT TORRANCE COUNTY'S WEB SITE FOR OFFICIAL COPIES OF AGENDAS AND OTHER INFORMATION OR CALL THE COUNTY MANAGER DIRECTLY AT 505-246-4735

Swearing In Ceremony - Rescheduling Information

Happy Holidays! White Holidays ;-)

 As you know, we cancelled the swearing-in ceremony on December 5th due to inclement weather. We are now working to reschedule it, however, our motivational guest speaker from Canada, Alvin Law, would still like to join us (free of charge) so the date will be contingent on when he’s in New Mexico next, which most likely will be sometime in February.

 I met with Alvin and in order for his message to reach a larger audience we are anticipating setting up an ‘assembly’ type of ceremony, so that what he has to offer will touch more lives. In order to do that, of course we’ll need a bigger place to hold the ceremony. Right now, we are looking at holding it at the Estancia High School gym (maybe a 2pm school assembly event) and inviting the middle and upper elementary schools, however (were checking with Principal Weidner to find out if that meets with his approval). The judges will still attend to swear in the newly elected 4-H Council, Larry Graves will still provide his presentation, and Audrey Rodriguez will still do her honorarium to Alfonso, it’ll just be at the school gym. As soon as the location, date and time are determined, we’ll let you know….thank you for your patience!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sudie

Rural Torrance County, A Giant Country Dog Park?

Does all of this open land in Torrance County create a giant country dog park? What prompted this post was a brief conversation along one of our county roads. Seeing a vehicle on the side of the road and with the driver walking away from the vehicle, I assumed they were having trouble so I stopped to offer assistance. The driver indicated that they had let their dogs out to exercise. I explained that there were cattle all around to which the driver commented they were aware of that which is why they selected their exercise locations very carefully. Not more than a quarter of a mile away, was cattle gathered at a drink tank. Carefully selected location? 
Those who are new to the area and new to rural living may misunderstand what all of this open space is all about and possibly have no understanding of the ramification of allowing their dogs to roam about freely. I ask that those folks please consider the following;

1. Private property – the open space you allow your dogs to run on is owned by someone other than yourself. Their yard is just bigger than yours and is primarily used for agricultural production. Would you allow your local rancher to drop off their cattle in your yard?

2. Trespass – because this land is not yours, your animals are trespassing while roaming so in effect you are trespassing. If you want to allow your dogs to roam freely, please have the courtesy to find out who owns the land and at least ask their permission – don’t assume it’s a go just because you don’t see any livestock.

3. Right to Shoot – New Mexico statute allows for the shooting of animals, including dogs that endanger livestock. You may not believe that your pets pose a threat, but as a cattle owner, I can tell you that dogs will cause cattle to run. At a minimum, your dog could run my cattle through fences which will cost me time and money to gather my herd and repair fence, or at a maximum cause my cattle to run themselves to death which would be a significant financial loss for my family. Trust me, ranchers would prefer not to shoot any dog but they will do so to protect their livestock.

4. Natural Dangers – were you aware that your dogs could be bitten by rabid wild life, be attacked or eaten by coyotes, bears, mountain lions or other predatory species in the area, that your dogs could become infected with lice and other vermin that could carry plague back to your home just by coming into contact with native species?

5. Man Made Dangers – were you aware that some land owners will set traps and poison bates for coyotes, that your dogs could be attacked and possibly killed by dogs owned by the land owners on which your animals are trespassing on?

No, rural Torrance County and all of that beautiful open land is not a giant dog park it belongs to your neighbors so please be a good neighbor, respect the private property of others and keep your dogs safe by leashing them and walking them if appropriate areas.

Torrance County Planing and Zoning Meeting CANCELED

The regular meeting of the Torrance County Planning and Zoning Board has been canceled and agenda matters will be heard at the next regular meeting to be held in January, 2012.

Torrance County Swearing In Ceremony CANCELLED

Torrance County Swearing In Ceremony CANCELLED please let everyone know.