Planning Division
The Planning Division serves in an advisory role to appointed and elected officials in providing professional review, analysis, and recommendations regarding land use-related matters, administers Chapter 16 of the Los Alamos County Development Code, processes various land use and development applications, and provides policy and regulatory basis including technical assistance to the community on current planning issues. The Planning Division also maintains and updates the Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Master Plans, and the Development Code. The Planning Division also serves as the liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Historic Preservation Advisory Board.
The Planning Division coordinates with internal and external partners to ensure efficient use of the land in the County and supports the Economic Development and Housing Program initiatives. With support from the Inter-departmental Review Committee (IDRC), the Planning staff acts as case managers for all land use applications.
Adopted Plans and related Documents:
Planning Staff:
Planning staff helps the constituents in providing professional review, analysis, and recommendations regarding all land use related matters including the review and approval of all Current Planning applications requiring staff approval as listed below:
Planning and Zoning Commission:
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall review and approve Quasi-judicial applications. Their role also includes the coordinated, comprehensive, orderly, and harmonious physical development of the County while promoting the general welfare of the citizens of the County.
Policy Decisions by Council:
The Planning and Zoning shall also review Legislative applications and make recommendations to Council accordingly. This role includes the coordinated, comprehensive, orderly, and harmonious physical development of the County in long term development while promoting the general welfare of the citizens of the County.