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Frequently Asked Questions

How is the regional plan different than the local comprehensive plan?
Why take a regional approach to planning?
What will the regional plan address?
How long will the project take and who approves it?
Who is working on the project?
How can I get involved?
What is the role of the Vision 2040 Advisory Committee and who is on it?

How is the regional plan different than the local comprehensive plan?
The One Valley, One Vision 2040 Regional Plan is advisory and looks at growth from various perspectives beyond any one political district or authority for all of Doña Ana County. It addresses issues in much the same way local comprehensive plans do, but from a broader perspective and longer planning horizon. This guiding plan will be used by local elected officials related to regional planning matters. Whereas, the local comprehensive plan (sometimes referred to as the master plan) sets forth the goals, policies and guidelines, standards, maps, and statistical data intended to direct the present and future physical, social, aesthetic, and economic development that occurs within its planning jurisdiction. Both the regional plan and local comprehensive plan must be adopted by the elected officials, typically by resolution, for it to be effective within its planning jurisdiction.
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Why take a regional approach to Planning?
There are several reasons. First, the current comprehensive plans for Doña Ana County, Las Cruces, and many of the other municipalities within the county are in need of updating. The One Valley, One Vision 2040 regional plan and its associated data and analyses can avoid a lot of duplication of effort and save taxpayer money when these local comprehensive plans are updated. Second, municipal policies affect the County and vice-versa. It is therefore important that the local government policies are complimentary rather than contradictory, and a regional approach makes that more likely.
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What will the regional plan address?
The regional plan will address a wide range of growth-related issues, such as transportation, utilities and water, economic development, affordable housing, environmental protection, hazard mitigation, and intergovernmental cooperation. It will include analysis of the current situation and a range of possible growth scenarios, which will result in specific policy recommendations. The recommendations from the regional plan will be used for the second phase of the project: updates to the City of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County Comprehensive Plans. Also, it will be a valuable decision making tool for other municipalities within the County, as well and other government and community organizations.
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How long will the project take and who approves it?
The project began in late 2007 for a regional plan in conjunction with updates to the Doña Ana County and Las Cruces Comprehensive Plans. Extensive data gathering and input occurred during 2008 and 2009. In 2010, the effort refocused on completion of the regional plan through an expanded stakeholder group of the Vision 2040 Advisory Committee. This Advisory Committee completed a revised draft of the regional plan in May 2011. Opportunity to review and provide comment on this regional plan will be available through the middle of July 2011. Following this review, local planning and zoning groups such as the Las Cruces Extra-Territorial Zoning Commission, Doña Ana County Planning and Zoning Commission, and Las Cruces Planning and Zoning Commission will hold public meeting(s) for recommendation of this plan. Recommendations by other municipal appointed zoning commissions may occur. Local elected bodies are expected to hold public meetings to adopt the plan late summer/early fall 2011. Please check the Meetings tab for upcoming meetings.
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Who is working on the project?
Las Cruces and Doña Ana County staff has been administering the project since 2010. This includes GIS mapping and illustration services provided Doña Ana County, editing services by Davis Addis, and graphic design services by Debbie Oberhausen. The Vision 2040 Advisory Committee helped shape the regional plan. This is a group of 45-invited stakeholders with a seven-member steering committee that held public meetings in 2010 and 2011. Local appointed bodies will make recommendation of the plan, with local elected bodies to review the plan for its adoption.
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How can I get involved?
Work sessions of various appointed bodies will be open to the public through the middle of July 2011 to present and take input on the One Valley, One Vision 2040 Regional Plan. Staff is available to meet with individuals or groups by contacting Paul Michaud at 575-528-3271 or by e-mail. Staff will do its best to accommodate all meeting requests. Written comments are accepted at anytime throughout the process. They can be e-mailed to Paul Michaud at pmichaud@las-cruces.org, or mailed to his attention at the City of Las Cruces, PO Box 20000, Las Cruces, NM 88004. Upcoming meetings can be found on this website under the Meetings tab
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What is the role of the Vision 2040 Advisory Committee and who is on it?
The Vision 2040 Advisory Committee is made up of 45-invited volunteers from various organizations throughout Doña Ana County. It appointed a seven-member Steering Committee to represent the recommendations of its five subcommittees. A list of members is available here. The state funding for this project mandated the formation of this committee, and required that representatives from certain organizations be invited to serve on it. City and County staff have invited additional individuals to serve. The role of the committee is strictly advisory, to review draft documents and offer comments to staff. All meetings are open to the public and posted on the Las Cruces and County websites.