By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday evening, October 13 and had a large crowd on hand to conduct a public hearing and hear an appeal from property owner Andy Holman on a recent re-zoning denial by the Raton Planning and Zoning Committee.
Holman’s request was to rezone blocks 14 and 15 from an R-5 zone, on the south side of Fairview Avenue, but North of I-25. The land has historically been used as pasture for cattle or horses for years, so when Crystal Denton, owner of the horses, first moved to Raton she was unaware of the requirement before she moved the horses to the property. Her proposed horse rescue not only saves horses, but some are used in therapy for some Wounded Warrior and Citizens for the Developmentally Disabled projects.
More at issue is not the type of zoning but the use of the land in question with regards to animals. The zoning ordinances allow for animals within the city limits but limits the use to only three animals and the animals owner must obtain the approval of neighbors within 500 feet of the property.
Bert Dennis, a member of the Equine Rescue Board noted that the program needs to have a permanent location in order to get the New Mexico State Livestock Board approval, which will allow them to seek additional grants and funding to purchase more suitable property in the area. But until they get approval they cant get the funding a catch 22 situation for the group.
Commissioner Lindé Schuster suggested that the group work with the neighbors and relocate all the horses to block 15, which is the west most part of the property. She also noted that Denton needs to get written occupancy proof to get an exception for the property. All of the commissioners agreed that there is a need for the horse rescue operation in Raton and wanted to see it stay, however they had to abide by the zoning ordinances, which were put in place to help protect property owners.
Commissioners then upheld the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning committee to deny the rezoning request.
In other business: commissioners approved the JJAC grant budget adjustment; approved the $37,000 dispatch agreement with Colfax County. In doing so, however, City Manager Scott Berry noted that a quick look at costs indicated that the actual cost to handle the dispatch load was closer to $50,000. Berry said they would look at the cost more closely and get with the county when they renegotiate the contract for next year.
City Manager Berry reported that Dan Campbell of the Raton Water Works was in meetings with the Water Quality Control Commission about issues that could affect the city in the future.
He also noted the New Mexico National Guard readiness center on the airport property was now vacant and is requesting the guard donate it to the city to be used as a possible future economic development tool.
R.W. Butt Construction was awarded the contract to do the rehab work on Segerstrom Creek just west of Lake Maloya.
Jason Phillips noted that the Raton Tiger Football team donated time to do some street repair on Tiger Drive as a project to give back to the community.
Commissioners will meet again on October 27, 2015
Domestic Violence Proclamation
