Jul. 26--LAS CRUCES -- A resolution that would provide the Downtown Las Cruces Partnership with a one-time $25,000 payment will be considered by the Las Cruces City Council when it meets at 5 p.m. Monday for its monthly land use meeting at City Hall.

If approved, the money would be used to help fund programs the nonprofit organization has already budgeted. The money will help the partnership keep those programs going until a three-way agreement between the city, the New Mexico MainStreet Program and Downtown Las Cruces Partnership can be finalized.

Council members learned last week that it could be another 60 days before New Mexico MainStreet finds out how much state funding it will receive. The council was hesitant to fund the full amount of the city's share until that information is received.

Also at Monday's meeting, the council will conduct a hearing on a resolution seeking to reverse a decision of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission that denied issuance of a variance for a sign that O'Reilly Automotive Inc. wants to erect outside its store at 4820 Mesa Grande Drive.

O'Reilly seeks to install a 30-foot sign, but city ordinance only allows a 12-foot sign in that neighborhood.

"The applicant states that the business will be unable to properly notify the public of their location without the proposed taller sign," according to information provided to council members.

"The applicant also states that the property has extremely diminished visibility due to the overpass

bridge of U.S. Highway 70 at Mesa Grande. The applicant believes that the highway overpass will block any sign shorter than 26 feet in height."

At its May 26 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission denied O'Reilly's variance request, claiming that the sign would be too much of a nuisance for the primarily residential area. Surrounding property owners also told the commission that the applicant should have to follow all city code regulations.

Also Monday, the council will conduct a first reading -- but take no action -- on a proposed ordinance that could change zoning for 3.42 acres at 1089 W. Amador Ave. from M1 and M2, industrial standard, to R-4C, or high intensity multi-dwelling and limited retail and office, with conditions. The proposed zone change, which the council will formally consider for approval on Aug. 24, would allow a transitional living facility for at-risk youths to be built at that site.

The property is owned by Resources for Children & Youth, Inc.

The property is west of the Community of Hope campus and east of the Armijo Lateral and McSwain Drive. According to city documents, the proposed transitional living facility would initially consist of six buildings, with five of those having 11 apartments.

If you go

Las Cruces City Council land use meeting

-- When: 5 p.m. Monday

-- Where: Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 N. Church St.

-- Information: (575) 541-2076.

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