Los Alamos County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Los Alamos County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Draft Comprehensive Plan Update
The county's draft Comprehensive Plan is being revised in response to public feedback. The biggest changes: dropping the controversial 'conservation residential' recommendation so identified open space won't be developed, and pushing stronger zoning reforms to allow more housing types. A revised draft comes back November 18, when the commission will recommend to Council.
2026 Historic Preservation Work Plan
The board says it can't figure out who at the county identifies historic properties, applies the Secretary of the Interior standards, or consults with the State Historic Preservation Officer — and incidents like the Little Theater furnace work and graffiti on petroglyphs suggest gaps. Planning Manager Valdez may bring county staff to explain their processes.
Historic Protection Overlay Zone expansion
The board discussed its county-code charge to add more buildings to the historic protection overlay zone — currently only the United Church is in it — and noted earlier attempts failed with property owners who feared restrictions. A communication strategy is planned so owners understand it wouldn't stop them from painting or altering their homes.
Development Code Overhaul (Ordinance No. 02-371)
The county is updating the administrative procedures of its Development Code — who notices meetings, who posts signs, how long decisions take, and how appeals work. These procedural rules affect how fast any development in town moves and how much it costs.
Private school (Zephyr Ridge Academy) at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
A dyslexia-focused private school will share four classrooms at the North Road church. Neighbors worry about noise, privacy, no fenced playground and no enforcement if plans change; supporters say the school fills a critical gap for special-needs kids.