County officials say planning applications have increased about 20% since 2021, leaving a four-person division struggling to complete some reviews within 30 days

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - Doña Ana County commissioners approved a new planner position Tuesday after county officials said rising development activity has pushed some land-use reviews beyond a state-mandated 30-day deadline.

Community Development Director Christina Ainsworth told commissioners the county’s current-planning division has four employees — a chief planner, senior planner and two planners — responsible for a wide range of zoning, subdivision and development reviews.

The department has seen the combined volume of those applications increase about 20% since 2021, Ainsworth said.

The new position is expected to cost approximately $90,000 annually, including benefits. County documents say adding the planner is intended to improve turnaround times and increase the department’s capacity to manage growth.

Some applications risk approval without county review

Ainsworth said the most pressing issue involves subdivisions and claims of exemption, which state regulations require the county to respond to within 30 days.

The department often meets that deadline, she said, but growing application volume has caused some reviews to take longer.

Applicants can have certain documents recorded without county review or approval when the county misses the deadline, Ainsworth told commissioners.

“That’s really the concern,” she said, “that we’re not going to be able to keep up and we will be in a situation where these applications are being approved by default.”

Ainsworth later estimated that current delays generally have not exceeded about 40 days, with claims of exemption presenting the greatest challenge because the county receives so many of them.

The division also handles zone changes, special-use permits, variances, subdivision applications, business-registration reviews, zoning-verification letters and zoning and landscaping reviews for commercial building permits.

Staff also drafts and interprets amendments to the county’s Unified Development Code. Some applications require site visits, meetings with applicants, staff reports and presentations before the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Position sought for two budget cycles

Ainsworth said she had listed the planner as her top staffing priority during each of the past two county budget cycles, but the position was not included as the county instead added employees to its codes and building-services divisions.

After the position again was not included in the latest budget, Ainsworth said she explored reclassifying a vacant electrical-inspector position but was told employee reclassifications were not being considered at the time.

She said existing planners are salaried employees who do not receive overtime or compensatory time. At least one employee is working an estimated 10 to 15 additional hours each month, she said.

Commissioners also discussed whether the county could use a contractor or part-time employee instead of creating a full-time position.

Ainsworth said planning reviews require familiarity with county ordinances, individual properties, surrounding development and local land-use patterns. Hiring an outside firm, she said, would still require substantial work from county staff to provide the information needed for each case.

Commissioners point to growth and permitting demands

Commissioner Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez said he supported adding the planner, noting commissioners have repeatedly asked Community Development to improve planning and permitting performance.

Chair Manuel Sanchez also supported the position, saying delays involving planners could create the same kinds of bottlenecks commissioners have previously sought to address by adding building inspectors.

Sanchez said the county should track whether the additional planner brings review times back toward the 30-day requirement and reconsider its approach if delays continue.

The commission approved the position unanimously, 5-0, as Resolution 2026-110.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.