A) The City of Sunland Park, NM is experiencing growth in land development despite local, regional, national and worldwide economic challenges. Sunland Park is geographically located in the center of two countries (USA & Republic of Mexico) and three (3) states (New Mexico, Texas, Chihuahua, Mexico).

Sunland Park’s location is a major reason for growth in land development. Another reason is the affordability of owning a great home in Sunland Park because of New Mexico’s low property taxes. Affordability of purchasing at an entry level to the high end ($500,000) homes gives perspective home buyers a wide range of choices. Sunland Park is a proponent of creating safe neighborhood designs through the use of its zoning and subdivision regulations.

Land development and economic growth will explode once the USA and the Republic of Mexico exchange of Diplomatic Notes to build a non-commercial land crossing at Sunland Park known as “El Camino Real Al Centro). As a consequence, a rise in the standard of living of Sunland Park residents will improve as commercial investors move to Sunland Park.

Sunland Park’s Land Development Regulations is segregated into five (5) Divisions; Zoning, Subdivision, Business Permits, Grants Application and Structural Building Inspections. Zoning and Subdivisions Regulations must be based on an adopted City’s Master Plan, July 2007, according to land use law.

A City Master Plan is a development set of public policies that guides the City’s future growth in an orderly manner. The “Plan” includes the public’s opinion on not only policy but also on how livable a Community sees itself in the future.

B) All land development activities/actions start at the Offices of the Community Development Department in the following sequence;

• Applicants file an approved Development Application Form
• A meeting of the City’s Technical Committee-Development Review Team (DRT) is called to review the applicant’s request. The DRT makes a “FINDING” (is the request in conformance with the Land Development Regulations?).
• The FINDINGS are presented to the Mayor and City Council that has the ultimate authority to make all decision.