The site for a project that will significantly add to the affordable housing stock in Las Cruces has been granted a new zoning designation.
Developers and entrepreneurs Scott Bannister and Rick Morales say they want to build up to 64 new single-family homes on the southwest side of the city, on vacant property near the intersection of West Boutz Road and Stern Drive.
The project, as planned, will also see the construction of some 60 affordable apartment units.
The site was formerly categorized as A-2, a one-time farming classification that is no longer used by the city. The approved rezoning will give the property an R-1A for single family housing, and R-4 for apartments.
The rezoning was earlier approved and recommended by the Las Cruces Planning and Zoning Commission.
The zoning approval comes just days after Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima, in his annual State of the City address, emphasized the need for more affordable housing.
The Mayor said the issue was important for people of all ages, in particular, “young families with children, even when both parents are working.”
Miyagishima said he wanted to see the city move on acquiring more infill property for the construction of single-family homes, apartments, and artists’ loft workspaces.
Earlier studies have suggested that Las Cruces has a roughly 7,800-unit gap between the number of affordable units that are available and those that are needed.
By Garry Boulard
