1122 INDUSTRIAL PARK PO BOX 125
ESPANOLA, NM 87532 TIERRA AMARILLA, NM
(505) 753-7774 (505) 588-7254

Hours of Operation:
Planning and Zoning and Rural Addressing is here to serve the Public
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Espanola Staff:
Planning Director - Patricio Garcia
Assistant Planning Director - Gabriel Boyle
Administrative Assistant - Epifania Archuleta
Planner - Albert Baros
Code Enforcer - James Naranjo
Code Enforcer - David Herrera
Clerk Tech - Roberta Morfin
Rural Addressing Supervisor - Georgia Valdez
Code Enforcer - Nelson Cordova
GPS/GIS Mapper - Bernadette Gonzales

Tierra Amarilla Staff:
Map Reviewer - Henrietta Smith
Code Enforcer/Flood Review Specialist - Agapito Candelaria

Update news by Epifania Archuleta

Our department is currently working on a ordinance for a temporary moratorium for Gas and Oil. A copy of the proposed ordinance is available in our office
and you cn call or come by to pick up a copy. This proposed
ordinance will be heard by the Board of County Commissioners on
April 24, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in Espanola, NM A copy of the entire proposed ordinance can be seen under agenda.

Planning dept webpage author---Epifania Archuleta, Adm. Assist.

Responsibilities:

Our department is responsible for providing basic infrastructure, maintenance and protection of the County’s resources. We are also responsible for the Rio Arriba County Land Use Ordinances, Subdivision Ordinances, Mapping, GIS, and Rural Addressing. Public meetings, such as the Planning and Zoning Commission are also part of our duties. Staff is currently working with E911 to insure, that all our residents are easily located by emergency responders.

The population of Rio Arriba County has risen dramatically since 1900. Our county is a residential/agricultural land based society with an estimated population of 46,000. The quality of life in the county is characterized by a strong sense of community that is strengthened by a rural lifestyle.


The Planning and Zoning Department consists of three divisions:

The Planning and Zoning Division processes all Development Applications, Use Change Permits, and Business Licenses. Development Applications are regulated by the County's Development and include among other things, applications for amendments to the official zoning map, site plans, variances, special use permits, subdivision plats, amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, and applications for temporary uses.

· A planner is available throughout the day on a walk-in basis to assist you with any questions regarding land use regulations and applications. For more complicated questions, call ahead for an appointment.

· All businesses paying gross receipts taxes in the County of Rio Arriba must obtain a Business License or Registration. Effective January 1, 2006, a Business License must be obtained from the Planning department on a yearly basises at the cost of $30.00. For additional information on obtaining a license, call either of our main numbers.

· For information about the Planning and Zoning Commission, call either of our main number or see our calendar about meetings held monthly, the first Wednesday of each month.

· The agendas and minutes for the Planning and Zoning Commission will be available in the near future on line for public viewing.

· All County Ordinances are currently available for public viewing on line. See main home page for directions.


Our Permitting/ Code Enforcement Division is here to serve the county hours are now from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our code inspector(s) are generally available in the office from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and usually conduct field inspections on a daily basis.

· For general questions and information about permitting, call either of our main numbers.

· We do not accept incomplete or inaccurate permits applications. Permits are available at our office for Utility hookups, Building and Foundation permits, and development permits. Permit fees are $50.00 for utility/mobile placement.

· For complaints about violation pertaining to the zoning code such as; too many homes on a lot or trash in a yard contact a code inspector at (505) 753-7774.

· The goal of code enforcement is compliance not punishment. If a complaint does not fall under the Rio Arriba County Design and Development Ordinance, then the code inspector will refer your compliant to the appropriate staff within the County and /or to the appropriate State agency.

· Any person may file a complaint. You must give your name in order to file a complaint. The reason a name is required is; a complaint itself is part of the public record. If a complaint proceeds to court a name is required or it could appears as though the county is acting without a complaint.


The Comprehensive Plan for Rio Arriba County is currently being finished and has been in the works for the past three years.

Meetings were held through out the county for input from residents in different watersheds and communities. The plan is comprehensive in scope covering population growth, land and water use, housing, transportation, economic development, community facilities, infrastructure and telecommunications.

Staff is working toward finishing the plan and draft copies will soon be available for the public comment.


The Rural Addressing/GIS Division processes all addressing within the Rio Arriba County areas to issue that all our residents are located for E911 purposes. We issue addresses to residents for the Motor Vehicle department, WIC programs, Utilities, mortgage purposes and E911. Georgia Valdez is the Rural Addressing/GIS Supervisor.

· For general questions and information about the Rural Addressing/GIS Department, call either of our main numbers.

· To obtain proof of a physical address, or changing your address please know your assigned house number and road number.


· Mapping is being done on a daily basis you can obtain a copy of County Road Map Booklet in our office for a fee of $15.00.

· Other larger maps are available upon request and can be obtained but you need to make an appointment with the Rural Addressing Department supervisor.


Planning Protects Traditions, Community, Quality of Life
---by Patricio Garcia, Planning Director

The New Mexico sunlight sifts through the trees and mixes with the leaves scattered along the acequia to create an enduring sense of peace and place. For many of us, this walk along the water is where we find essential qualities of New Mexico, of Rio Arriba County, of community.

However, the very things that create this sense of place also create an artificial sense of seclusion and protection. Listen more closely and you can hear the cars on the highway or heavy equipment involved in nearby construction. You can almost hear the population of Rio Arriba County growing.

Among the most valuable assets in Rio Arriba County are its deep-rooted culture and environmental beauty. Together, they are a large part of why generation after generation has chosen to live here and why new neighbors arrive everyday. Yes, we need economic growth. Yes, development is on its way whether we like it or not. But we cannot grow at the cost of the very qualities that brought us and keep us here.

County Planning staff is working with representatives of the community on a comprehensive plan that attempts to balance the need for jobs, homes and services with the need to protect our quality of life. The county has formed study groups that are looking at growth, development, and community needs and wants. Our population of 41,000 is expected to reach 52,000 by 2010 and we must plan for smart growth and sustainable development.

Land and water are important to the rituals of our community. When we lose our connection to the land, to our traditions, to our roots, we lose who we are. We must build our community but if we fail to maintain our strong self-identity at the same time, we invite an upsurge in social problems like substance abuse.

With every step we take forward, we must be careful to ensure that we are moving toward a future where our children can find their own path, perhaps along an acequia, and feel the sense of peace and place we do have today.