MILAN, N.M. — Rodney London, Village of Milan code enforcer, plans to visit the Aspen Street property where a newlyconstructed hunting blind is located. (A “blind” or “hide” is a shelter, often camouflaged, that is used to observe wildlife at close quarters.)
Planning and zoning commission members commented during discussions at the Oct. 8 meeting that the structure appears to be 14-feet in height. Chair Mary Lundstrom pointed out that discharging firearms within village limits is prohibited and said she hopes that the owner plans on moving the blind to a hunting site. London responded that he would encourage the owner to move the structure to a location outside of Milan.
Members expressed concerns about property line setback regulations. One owner has parked an RV within five feet of the fence which separates two properties. London said that violates the ordinance and suggested that village consider amending the ordinance to a 10-foot setback.
Commission members agreed that crowding fence lines with stored possessions results in the growth of unsightly weeds and increases the threat of a fire spreading to adjoining properties. London stressed that numerous owners use their property to store a wide variety of personal items; some of the residents’ properties are in violation of the current setback requirements.
The code enforcer reported a recent encounter with a resident who plans to construct a free-standing carport. The landowner said that the New Mexico Construction Industries Division required a permit from the village. No permit is required according to current Milan ordinances; London has explained to the owner the steps he should take to receive NMCID approval.
The code enforcer had sent 22 letters of violation and there were 34 active violations as of Oct. 8. This was a decrease compared to the 43 reported at the Aug. 13 P&Z meeting. He said almost all were for weeds and trash.
London has been in contact with officials from Milan Municipal Court and CoreCivic in addition to village legal advisors for the past three months about a Berryhill Street property, which he said was in “nasty” condition. The owner is incarcerated at the CoreCivic facility in Milan. The municipal court judge prefers a physical appearance for the hearing instead of a utilizing video. The imprisoned property owner owes the village substantial fines, according to the code enforcer.
London reported that he has six cases, one of which is a trial, scheduled for court appearances in the next two weeks.
The code enforcer pointed out that when he began his duties in 2018 there was a total of 328 violations; 292 have since been abated.
“That’s an 89 percent abatement rate,” he said at last Thursday’s meeting.
“Village residents have been phenomenal about complying with ordinances.”
• Thursday, Nov. 12, P&Z meeting, village hall, 623 Uranium Ave., Milan, 5:30 p.m.
• Cancelled — ordinance review committee meeting. The village hall remains closed to public access and the committee will resume meetings once the health order has been rescinded, according to Chair Lundstrom.
Call 505-285-6694 or visit villageofinilan. COM for more information.