A proposed zoning change in Los Alamos County aims to reduce minimum lot sizes from 8,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet, a move that could enhance housing affordability. During the July 23 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, officials discussed the implications of this adjustment, emphasizing its potential to lower maintenance costs for homeowners.

The discussion highlighted that smaller lots could make housing more accessible, although the applicant was encouraged to provide further justification for how this change would financially benefit their project. The proposed change is seen as a correction of a previous zoning mistake made during a 2022-2023 update, which stripped away design flexibility previously allowed under the Plan Development (PD) overlay.

While the new zoning will not fully restore the flexibility of the PD zone, it aims to facilitate a design approach similar to that of Broadview Estates. Commission members acknowledged that while the change is a step in the right direction, it does not completely rectify the loss of flexibility that the PD zoning once provided.

As the commission moves forward, the focus will be on balancing the need for affordable housing with the desire for design flexibility, ensuring that future developments can meet community needs effectively.