Los Alamos County

Office Closure June 7th

Downtown Master Plans & Code Update. The ‘Downtown Master Plans and Development Code Update’ is a two-year project initiated by Los Alamos County, starting in June 2020. The project encompasses two phases: Phase 1 will create Downtown Master Plans for both the Los Alamos and White Rock downtown areas; Phase 2 will update the County’s Chapter 16 Development Code, the County’s zoning. Both phases recognize the unique challenges that Los Alamos County faces. The project team will develop strategies to address the economic and population growth projected for the County.

Please utilize the following link to access the project website and see a schedule of outreach events:https://losalamosconnect.org/

North Mesa Housing Study. Los Alamos County is seeking to create a master concept plan for workforce housing on a 30-acre +/- tract of land on the North Mesa, between the Los Alamos Middle School, the North Mesa Sports Complex, North Mesa Road and San Ildefonso Rd. The land is currently owned by the Los Alamos School district. The overall goal is to generate a preferred concept plan for housing that can be carried forward into design and development.

North Mesa Housing Study Area Vicinity

Project Objectives Generate a preferred concept plan with the goal of developing attainable housing for the County’s workforce and providing community amenities. For more information, please click on the link to project web page: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2bd99622052847179515208429906f4a Housing Market Needs Analysis A housing market needs analysis was completed in December 2019 to provide the County information on community housing needs and preferences. The study was implemented as part of Council’s 2019 strategic goals for housing. This includes a variety of housing options for all segments of the community, from affordable, entry-level, and live-work housing to new options for those interested in downsizing or moving closer to central areas of the community. Sites Southwest Consulting performed the study including several outreach activities for community input and to collect needed market data. The study concluded an acute housing shortage and identified immediate need for additional home and rental units to serve all market segments. Key findings also identified high unmet demand for middle- to higher-density homes for the workforce, students, and seniors such as townhomes, duplexes and small-scale apartment buildings. Recommendations included development of sites close to existing infrastructure, developing strategies for higher density housing and mixed-use development in Los Alamos and White Rock town centers, and working with LANL and the School District on transportation and other redevelopment plans.

Community Development Advisory Board Seeks Public Input. The Los Alamos Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) will be finalizing its outreach plan early this year to gather public input from a broad cross-section of the community to support its efforts to improve the County’s nuisance ordinance and code enforcement activities. The CDAB will review and incorporate community input for making informed recommendations to the County Council. The community outreach schedule will be placed on this webpage. More information about outreach plan activities will be disseminated through several sources.

 The CDAB meets on the third Monday of each month at 5:30 pm in the Municipal Building, Room 110.