By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Raton Planning and Zoning Commission met Thursday evening April 18, 2024, for their regular meeting where they finalized a request by Jose Maurico Lemus to split two lots and listen to Don Cunningham about setbacks for a new structure.
Cunningham is asking to replace a six-foot fence with a seven-foot fence and to put in a 7’x15’ attached shed and a 22’x22’ carport to be placed on a 35’x10’ driveway extension. Cunningham spoke about the property showing some of the issues including some flooding issues coming from the hill side near the property. He tore the old shed down and wants to widen the driveway to the carport. The property had been abandoned for some time and was recently updated and Cunningham will continue the with the updates. The P&Z Commission approved the requested setbacks and updates.
The land to be split is addressed as 300 Clayton Road, the Casa Lemus Restaurant and the Sands Motel. This will allow the restaurant to have one address and the motel to have a different address. This will also allow for a cross easement and add a 10-foot variance on the east side of the restaurant. This will allow for two separate businesses in case Lemus might want to sell one or both in the future as he gets close to retirement. The P&Z Commission approved the requested setbacks and updates.
The new zoning map was presented to the board showing changes and updates to the zoning map for the City of Raton. One question that was clarified is that the property lines are not going to be changed, only the zoning lines in the city. Every property owner’s property lines will remain as they are. This is the first of two meetings, there will be another meeting for the public to view and make recommendations. Once the map is fully updated it will be formally presented to the city commission for a final approval.
