Los Alamos County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Los Alamos County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Guest House Project — LEDA and MRA Agreements
A 60-room hotel is proposed for the vacant former Hilltop House site at 400 Trinity Drive, the gateway to downtown. The developer wants nearly $4 million in county LEDA and redevelopment funds for a $30 million-plus project, and councilors and residents grilled them on jobs, taxpayer protections, and clawbacks before any money is committed.
Los Alamos Airport site plan changes (hangar demolition and road relocation)
The airport hangar redevelopment — demolishing 13 hangars, moving Airport Road, and building new aprons and taxi lanes — won't be decided until December 9.
Workforce housing on DP Road parcel 8A
The county signed an MOU to develop workforce housing on Parcel 8A off DP Road — a few hundred new units — backed by $3 million in state grant funding. A new website now tracks all county housing projects.
Coyote Mesa workforce housing bonds
Commissioners pressed staff on how much land is actually available to build on: 118 vacant, developable lots are currently zoned for housing, and roughly 250 more could come with duplexes, plus ADUs are allowed nearly everywhere. An estimated housing deficit of about 2,500 units is being rechecked.
Housing affordability metrics and inclusionary zoning
A public email from Kevin Holsappel argued the county's high area median income makes even 60%-of-AMI rents unaffordable for service workers, and suggested using a local wage metric and mandatory inclusionary zoning set-asides. Legal staff couldn't answer on the spot; staff noted the county's existing affordable housing plan and deed-restriction efforts.
Community Health Action Center planning
Los Alamos is part of a state pilot for assisted outpatient treatment courts (Judicial District 1), and staff attended national conferences on building 988 crisis response systems. Planning is underway with Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties.
Historic preservation consultant staffing
The board believes the county lacks dedicated cultural resources staffing and wants to justify hiring or contracting a specialist, possibly funded through state or federal grants under the Certified Local Government program. Members will read the CLG program manual and draft a justification before the September meeting.
New medical facility at 401 Trinity Drive
Christus Health will build a 37,277-square-foot micro-hospital near the Trinity Drive/Central Avenue roundabout, with emergency, imaging, surgical, lab, and inpatient services. Supporters say it will reduce the need to travel outside the county for care.
Diamond Drive parking lot and mobile food vending court
Two vacant lots near Los Alamos High School become overflow high school parking plus a nine-truck food-truck court with 7 a.m.–9 p.m. hours. Neighbors on 40th Street complained about generator noise, smoke and student traffic; the approval requires electric hookups, one access point and a sanitation plan.
Longview Drive Building Demolition
Three vacant, deteriorating county-owned buildings at 112-126 Longview Drive will be torn down this summer to make way for straightening Longview Drive and future housing options in White Rock.