The Ruidoso, N.M., Planning and Zoning Commission recently rejected a conditional-use permit that would enable a self-storage facility to be developed at Mechem Drive and Porr Street. Property owner John Pacheco of Twin Pines LLC wants to build a 40-unit storage facility on a double lot that currently houses a car wash and coffee-sandwich shop. The storage business would replace the coffee stand, but commissioners determined that portion of the lot was too small to accommodate the storage operation, according to the source.

"The commission found that the application did not meet the established criteria for conditional use for mini-warehouses on two major counts," Bradford Dyjak, planning administrator, told the source. "There is a requirement for a minimum lot size of 1 acre for any storage units. The commissioners found that while the property totaled over 1 acre [1.086 acres], the site designated for the minimum storage units totaled less than that at approximately four-tenths of an acre."

Commissioners also determined the site didn’t have enough room to handle traffic circulation on the property or acceptable egress routes. The proposal asked for two access points—an existing entrance on Mechem Drive and an exit on Porr Drive. A second entrance on Mechem would be closed, the source reported. "The major issue was the internal circulation, as well as impact of the traffic pattern entering and exiting in relation to the existing car wash business on the property," Dyjak said.

Several local business owners spoke in opposition to the project. The two lots are zoned for “community commercial.” Pacheco can appeal the decision through the Ruidoso Village Council.

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