Las Cruces City Council met in regular session on Monday, Sept. 16, and accepted a New Mexico Department of Transportation grant for bicycle and pedestrian trails, voted to reimburse a developer for a new park in Metro Verde, and denied an appeal to a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to change the zoning status on a five-acre tract of land along Roadrunner Parkway.

The meeting was attended in person by all Councilors except District 1 Councilor Cassie McClure, who participated remotely.

The City Council unanimously accepted a $350,000 Active Transportation Improvements Grant from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, secured during the 2024 Legislative Session. This grant will fund the design and construction of key projects, including a multi-use trail at Valley View Park, connecting Espina Street and Esperanza Street. It may also support pedestrian enhancements at intersections along Ethel Avenue and improve bicycle and pedestrian access on Madrid Avenue between Evelyn Street and Triviz Drive.

Councilors also unanimously approved a reimbursement agreement between the City and Sierra Norte Development Inc. to design and construct a neighborhood park in the Metro Verde Arcadia Phase 3 subdivision.

The proposed 1.945-acre park is located east of Red Hawk Road and south of Arroyo Road in the Metro Verde neighborhood. Park impact fees to be collected from the neighboring 592 residential lots are estimated to be more than $1.5 million.

The park will include typical neighborhood park amenities such as grassy areas, picnic shelters, shade, play equipment, a half-sport court, a storybook walk, and native plant landscape area.

The City agreed to reimburse the developer no more than $525,000 for design and construction of the park.

Council also voted 4-3 to deny an appeal to a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation on a parcel of property near the intersection of Roadrunner Parkway and Morning Star Drive. Earlier this year, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended a zoning district change for approximately five acres of property at 2795 N. Roadrunner Parkway from single-family medium density to multi-dwelling low density. The vote will allow the developer to request the zoning change at a future council meeting. If approved by council, the change will allow for a 60-unit apartment complex to be constructed on the site.

A Work Session previously scheduled for Sept. 23 has been canceled. City Council will next meet in regular session on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.

All City Council Meetings and Work Sessions can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel.