The Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman Garcia at 5:40 p.m. 

Ms. Dinah Gonzales of the Planning, Community and Economic Development Department called roll and a quorum was present.

 Those present were:

Billy Romero

Dennis Garcia

John Durham

Jan Debay

Also present were: 

Dinah Gonzales, Planner I

Louis Fineberg, Planning Director

Those absent/excused:

Jim Pollard

Douglas Patterson

Eddie Lucero

Commissioner Romero made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.

Commissioner Debay seconded the motion.  The motion was Passed.  Those voting AYE were: Commissioners:  Romero, Garcia, Durham Debay

Mr. Fineberg informed the Commission he made revisions to the Medical Marijuana Ordinance per the Planning and Zoning Commission Work Session Meeting.  Mr. Fineberg stated it is considerably shorter and it simply regulates location.  Staff will bring the Medical Marijuana Ordinance before the Planning and Zoning Commission at the regularly scheduled meeting on August 5, 2015 for a recommendation to move it forward for Town Council approval.

Mr. Louis Fineberg introduced Case No. PZ2015-26 for the requested variance for 353 Vegas de Taos Cr. to convert a non-conforming carport into a garage and to build a sunroom behind and attached to the non-conforming carport.  Mr. Fineberg explained the applicants previously received a variance to build a carport in the setback but neither the Town or the applicants could find record of it.

Mr. Matthew Rivera gave a presentation on the work they are proposing to do to change the carport into a garage and on the sunroom they are proposing to build.  Mr. Rivera explained the carport does encroach in the setback and the property owners, his parents, are firm in believing they did receive a variance at the time the carport was built.  The carport was build about 15 years ago and the retention schedule for the Town of Taos is ten years.  Mr. Rivera explained they are going to put walls on two sides of the carport and a garage door in the front.  There will be no additional building with the exception of the sunroom they are proposing to build facing the back yard.  The sunroom will not be encroaching in the setbacks.

Chairman Garcia opened the public hearing.

No one came forward.

Chairman Garcia closed the public hearing.

Commissioner Durham made a motion to approve the Variance in Case No. PZ2015-26.

Commissioner Romero seconded the motion.  The motion was Passed.  Those voting AYE were: Commissioners: Romero, Garcia, Durham, Debay

Chairman Garcia asked if there was a representative in attendance for Case No. PZ2015-3.

Mr. Fineberg stated Mr. Yaravitz did not indicate one way or the other whether or not he would be in attendance and added Mr. Yaravitz sent an email to Mr. Fineberg that stated Mr. Yaravitz is still gathering information for the amended PUD application for the La Posta apartment project and they will require a continuance to the July P&Z Meeting and added they cannot submit until early June.

Chairman Garcia stated there are people in the audience and asked them if they wanted to speak.  Chairman Garcia allowed them to speak.

Mr. Jerome Lucero spoke concerning the traffic study that was requested by the Planning and Commission.  He stated there were counters only on Camino del Medio and added they were only there for two or three days. He thinks the traffic study should of been done on Ranchitos, La Posta and Camino del Medio.  He stated the traffic study if done is incomplete.  Mr. Lucero reminded the Commission of the water issue he has and stated the Commission need to hold them accountable.  Mr. Lucero added he is not trying to get in the developers way he is bringing it up just to bring it up.

Meliton Struck spoke concerning the density bonus and traffic study. Mr. Struck stated if you give a bonus that means he is dealing with an R-6  and reminded the Commission the R-6 was previously denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission and added Mr. Yaravitz came back with an R-4 with a bonus and Mr. Struck still can't figure out how to get an R-4 with a bonus.  Mr. Struck stated Mr. Yaravitz agreed that if the Commission gave him a month he would come up with a traffic study.

A discussion ensued between the Planning and Zoning Commission and Staff concerning the requirements of a continuation.

Commissioner Romero made a motion to continue Case No. PZ2015-3 PUD to the August 5, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting with the condition that the applicant must submit a final complete packet and notice all property owners within 300 feet by certified returned receipt mail.

Commissioner Durham seconded the motion.  The motion Passed.  Those voting AYE were: Commissioners: Romero, Garcia, Durham, Debay

Chairman Garcia requested Staff to ask that the Town Attorney attend the Planning and Zoning Commission Meetings.

Staff will send out an email to the commissioners telling them that if they are not planning on attending the Commission Meeting they need to let Staff know.  Staff will also look at the code and verify what the policy is on Commissioners absences.

Chairman Garcia informed the Commission and Staff he will not be in attendance for the July 1, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting.

A motion was made by Commissioner Romero and seconded by Commissioner Debay to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m.