Title
Case No. SIT-2026-0080. Philip Gursky, representative of 1735 Central Investment LLC., on behalf of Tigard Pacific, RE, LLC., property owner, requests approval for Site Plan Adoption for the property at 1735 Central Ave, Los Alamos, NM. The project redevelops the former CB Fox Department Store into a mixed-use facility featuring a boutique hotel, restaurant and food court, bar, retail sales, and meetings, banquets and event areas. The renovation includes an expansion of the second floor and the addition of a third floor, increasing the building area by approximately 4,000 sq. ft. The property is located within the Downtown Los Alamos (DTLA) district.
Property Owners
Tigard Pacific RE, LLC.
Applicant
Philip Gursky, Representative for 1735 Central Investment, LLC.
Case Manager
Desirae J. Lujan, Senior Planner
Body
Los Alamos County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16, Development Code (“Development Code”), Section 16-74(i)(3), establishes the procedures for Site Plan Adoptions and Major Site Plan Amendments. The applicant attended the required pre-application meeting on May 19, 2026. On May 28, 2026, staff received an application (Attachment A) from Philip Gursky, representative for 1735 Central Investment, LLC., on behalf of Tigard Pacific RE, LLC., requesting a Major Site Plan Amendment. During staff review, it was determined that the subject property has never received an approved site plan under the County’s development review process. Accordingly, because there is no previously approved site plan to amend, the application is processed as a Site Plan Adoption. This procedural determination does not affect the review because Site Plan Adoptions and Major Site Plan Amendments use the same application, procedures, and decision criteria under Section 16-74(i).
The application was assigned Case No. SIT-2026-0080, routed it to the Interdepartmental Review Committee (“IDRC”) for review, and, in accordance with Section 16-72(c), provided the required public notice (Attachment B) for the July 22, 2026, public hearing.
Section 16-69 grants the Planning and Zoning Commission ("Commission") the authority and responsibility to make final decisions on Site Plan Adoption applications. The Commission shall approve the application as presented, approve the application with conditions that are reasonably necessary to meet the decision criteria, or deny based on conformance with section 16-74(i)(4) decision criteria.
According to section 16-72-(f)(5)b.9., approval by the Commission shall require a motion and affirmative vote of a majority of the members present, and no less than four (4) to approve the application. Failure to issue a final decision prior to the close of the hearing shall constitute denial of the application.
Section 16-74(i) Site Plan Adoption or Major Amendment Decision Criteria
a. The Site Plan substantially conforms to the intent and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and other adopted County policies and plans.
b. If the subject property is within an approved Master Plan, the Site Plan is in conformance with any relevant standards in the Master Plan.
c. If the subject property is within an approved PD zone district, the Site Plan is consistent with any applicable terms and conditions in any previously approved PD zoning covering the subject property and any related development agreements and/or regulations.
d. The Site Plan is in conformance with all applicable provisions of this Code and other adopted County regulations.
e. The County’s existing public infrastructure and services, including but not limited to water, sanitary sewer, electricity, gas, storm sewer, streets, trails and sidewalks have adequate capacity to serve the proposed development, and any burdens on those systems have been mitigated in compliance with the County’s construction standards to the maximum extent practicable.
f. The Site Plan mitigates any significant adverse impacts to properties within the vicinity to the maximum extent practicable.
g. Provisions shall be made to serve the development with tot lots and/or neighborhood parks in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. A fee may be paid as approved by County Council to accomplish the purpose of the Comprehensive Plan in lieu of the development of tot lots or neighborhood parks.
Motion Options
Recommended Motion:
I move to conditionally approve Case No. SIT-2026-0080, a request by Philip Gursky, representative of 1735 Central Investment LLC., on behalf of Tigard Pacific RE, LLC., property owner, for Site Plan Adoption to redevelop and renovate the property at 1735 Central Avenue, Los Alamos, New Mexico, into a mixed-use commercial development featuring a boutique hotel, restaurant and food court, bar, retail sales, and meeting, banquet, and event spaces, subject to the following condition:
1. The locations of all Fire Department Connections (FDCs) and Post Indicator Valves (PIVs) for a fire sprinkler system shall be shown on the site plan and located in proximity to a fire hydrant for building permit review.
Approval is based on the findings established during the public hearing and the determination that the application meets the decision criteria for Site Plan Adoption under Section 16-74(i)(4) of the Los Alamos County Development Code. The Commission acts under the authority granted in Section 16-69(b)(2) and (6) of the Development Code.
I further move to authorize the Chair to sign the Final Order approving the application, together with the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law reflecting the Commission's decision. These documents shall be prepared by County staff consistent with the Commission's action.
Alternative Motion:
I move to deny Case No. SIT-2026-0080, a request by Philip Gursky, representative of 1735 Central Investment LLC., on behalf of Tigard Pacific RE, LLC., property owner, for Site Plan Adoption to redevelop and renovate the property at 1735 Central Avenue, Los Alamos, New Mexico, into a mixed-use commercial development featuring a boutique hotel, restaurant and food court, bar, retail sales, and meeting, banquet, and event spaces.
Denial is based on the findings at the hearing and the conclusion that the Applicant does not met the decision criteria for a Site Plan Adoption under Section 16-74(i)(4) of the Los Alamos County Development Code. The Commission acts under the authority granted in Section 16-69(b)(2) and (6) of the Development Code.
I further move to authorize the Chair to sign the Final Order approving the application, together with the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law reflecting the Commission's decision. These documents shall be prepared by County staff consistent with the Commission's action.
Attachments
A - Application Submittal Packet
B - Public Notices
C - Staff Report