Title
Case No. SIT-2026-0081. McCloy Land Surveying, LLC, on behalf of property owner Russ NM LLC, requests approval of a site plan adoption for the properties located at 1377 and 1399 Diamond Drive, Los Alamos, New Mexico, zoned General Commercial (GC). The Site Plan Adoption will establish a commercial parking lot on two adjoining vacant parcels totaling approximately ±1.70 acres. The commercial parking lot will provide parking for Los Alamos High School and an area for a mobile food vending court.
Property Owners
Russ NM LLC.
Applicant
Scott McCloy, Agent, dba McCloy Land Surveying, LLC.
Case Manager
Danyelle Valdez, Planning Manager
Body
Los Alamos County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16, Development Code ("Development Code"), section 16-74(i)(3), establishes the procedures for Site Plan Adoption or Major Amendments. In accordance with those procedures, the applicant attended the required pre-application meeting on February 11, 2026. On May 28, 2026, staff received an application for Site Plan Adoption from Scott McCloy, Agent, on behalf of Russ NM LLC. Staff assigned the application Case No. SIT-2026-0081, routed it to the Interdepartmental Review Committee ("IDRC") for review, and, pursuant to section 16-72(c) of the Development Code, provided proper public notice 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 Major Site Plan Amendment 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) 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-2026-0081, a request by McCloy Land Surveying, LLC, on behalf of Russ NM LLC, for approval of a Site Plan Adoption for the property located at 1377 and 1399 Diamond Drive, zoned General Commercial (GC), subject to the following conditions:
1. Access to the overflow parking area shall be provided through the Sandia Drive entrance.
2. The northern Diamond Drive driveway proposed to access 1399 Diamond Drive shall be permanently closed. The applicant shall construct curb, gutter, and sidewalk improvements in accordance with Public Works engineering requirements and shall obtain all required permits from the Traffic and Streets Division before construction.
3. Prior to issuance of applicable permits or commencement of the mobile food vending use, the applicant shall submit a solid-waste service and access plan acceptable to Environmental Services.
4. Final utility plans shall be reviewed and approved by the Department of Public Utilities. The applicant shall coordinate with Public Works and the Department of Public Utilities regarding use of the existing capped water line and any required evaluation of future gas and sewer stub-outs if Diamond Drive is disturbed.
5. The final food-truck operating layout shall maintain a minimum separation of 10 feet between food trucks, vehicles, and structures, as applicable, and a minimum 15-foot clear area around all fire hydrants.
6. The proposed shade structure shall require review and approval by the Building Division and shall obtain all applicable building permits prior to installation or construction.
7. Prior to commencement of the mobile food vending use, the applicant shall submit a restroom and sanitation plan for review and approval by the Building Division and any other applicable regulatory agency. The plan shall identify the type, number, location, accessibility, servicing, and waste-disposal arrangements for restroom and hand-washing facilities serving vendors and patrons. If portable restroom facilities are provided, they shall include an accessible unit and accessible route as required by applicable accessibility standards; shall not obstruct required parking spaces, drive aisles, pedestrian routes, fire access, hydrant clearances, utility facilities, or required landscape-buffer areas; and shall be regularly serviced and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
8. The mobile food vending court shall operate only between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily. Vendor setup, customer service, generator operation, deliveries, waste collection, site cleanup, and other activities associated with the use shall occur within these hours. The approved operating hours shall be posted on-site and shall not be expanded without approval of an amendment to the Site Plan, as applicable.
9. If the associated Variance is not approved, the applicant shall submit a landscape plan demonstrating compliance with the full Type B Buffer requirements along the western property boundary. The landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by the Community Development Department prior to issuance of any applicable permits or commencement of the use.
Conditional Approval is based on the findings established at the hearing and the conclusion that the Applicant has met the decision criteria for a Site Plan Adoption per Section 16-74(i) of the Los Alamos County Development Code. The Commission acts under the decision authority granted in Section 16-69(b)(2) and (6) of the Development Code.
I further move to authorize the Chair to sign the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for this case that reflects the decision of the Commission.
Alternative Motion 1 (Approve, No Conditions):
I move to Approve Case No. SIT-2026-0081, a request by McCloy Land Surveying, LLC, on behalf of Russ NM LLC, for approval of a Site Plan Adoption to establish a commercial parking lot serving Los Alamos High School and a mobile food vending court on the ±1.70-acre property located at 1377 and 1399 Diamond Drive, zoned General Commercial (GC).
Approval is based on the findings established at the hearing and the conclusion that the Applicant has met the decision criteria for a Site Plan Adoption per Section 16-74(i) of the Los Alamos County Development Code. The Commission acts under the decision authority granted in Section 16-69(b)(2) and (6) of the Development Code.
I further move to authorize the Chair to sign the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for this case that reflects the decision of the Commission. This document will be prepared by County staff based on this decision.
Alternative Motion 2 (Deny):
I move to Deny Case No. SIT-2026-0081, a request by McCloy Land Surveying, LLC, on behalf of Russ NM LLC, for a Site Plan Adoption for the property located at 1377 and 1399 Diamond Drive, zoned General Commercial (GC).
Denial is based on the findings established at the hearing and the conclusion that the Applicant has not met the decision criteria for a Site Plan Adoption per Section 16-74(i) of the Los Alamos County Development Code. The Commission acts under the decision authority granted in Section 16-69(b)(2) and (6) of the Development Code.
I further move to authorize the Chair to sign the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for this case that reflects the decision of the Commission. This document will be prepared by County staff based on this decision.
Attachments
A - Staff Report
B - Legal Notice
C - Application