(Deming) – The Luna County Commissioners voted Thursday
to withdraw from the joint city-county Extra-Territorial Zone – a
move that has disappointed city officials.
The Extra-Territorial Zone has been a joint jurisdiction area of both the City of Deming and Luna County concerning planning and plating activities, governed by the ETZ Authority – a board comprised of the three county commissioners and two city council members.
County Manager Kelly Kuenstler said the county had received citizen complaints of
not having representation in the ETZ and of being bounced back and forth between the city and county for permitting and zoning issues.
But City Administrator Rick McInturff said dismantling the ETZ is doing a disservice
to county residents because residents will have to go through both city and
county processes and requirements instead of through the ETZ which
allowed a unified process and eliminated the need for two separate approvals.
McInturff said solutions were being drafted that addressed the county’s
concerns regarding the current operations within the ETZ, adding that Silver City and Grant County have recognized how cumbersome two systems running parallel can be.
McInturff further called the county’s action “ill-advised and a giant step
backwards.”
Kuenstler said the county is beginning the process of making certain property in
the ETZ remains zoned but under county ordinance.
to withdraw from the joint city-county Extra-Territorial Zone – a
move that has disappointed city officials.
The Extra-Territorial Zone has been a joint jurisdiction area of both the City of Deming and Luna County concerning planning and plating activities, governed by the ETZ Authority – a board comprised of the three county commissioners and two city council members.
County Manager Kelly Kuenstler said the county had received citizen complaints of
not having representation in the ETZ and of being bounced back and forth between the city and county for permitting and zoning issues.
But City Administrator Rick McInturff said dismantling the ETZ is doing a disservice
to county residents because residents will have to go through both city and
county processes and requirements instead of through the ETZ which
allowed a unified process and eliminated the need for two separate approvals.
McInturff said solutions were being drafted that addressed the county’s
concerns regarding the current operations within the ETZ, adding that Silver City and Grant County have recognized how cumbersome two systems running parallel can be.
McInturff further called the county’s action “ill-advised and a giant step
backwards.”
Kuenstler said the county is beginning the process of making certain property in
the ETZ remains zoned but under county ordinance.
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