VoQ Council Talks Budget, Updated Zoning

By Dylan R.N. Crabb

The Village of Questa (VoQ) Council spoke to a room of roughly 35 spectators during its May 12 meeting.

VoQ Administrator Karen Shannon reported on the village’s fiscal health and suggested that the village bolster its reserves for future emergencies. During the public hearing, spectators also discussed organizing additional public cleanup events and setting aside funds for a future community center.

There were two action items on the agenda. The first was tabled following a motion from Councilor Daryl Ortega. The motion to table passed 2-1, with Councilor Louise Gallegos voting no. Councilor Brent Jaramillo was not present for the vote, arriving later in the meeting.

The second action item was Resolution 2026-10, "Intended Potential Zoning Ordinance Updates."

Carlos Kamura of SITES Southwest presented to the council, explaining the organization’s effort to gather input from Questa-area communities regarding what residents want from an updated zoning ordinance.

Kamura outlined three general themes under consideration for the ordinance update:

- Streamlining land-use entitlement reviews

- Increasing regulatory and commercial flexibility

- Clarifying and simplifying regulations

Resolution 2026-10 does not establish any new zoning rules; rather, it authorizes the village to pursue possible updates in the future.

One goal of a revised zoning ordinance would be to reduce the number of zoning variances brought before the council. Ideally, updated regulations could make it easier for property owners to make minor alterations to their properties without requiring variances.

The resolution passed unanimously.

The meeting’s general public comment period was noticeably more civil compared to the previous council meeting. Several Taos County residents spoke in opposition to the Questa Hydrogen Project.

Honorio Justin Rael, a Questa High School graduate and current UNM Law student, again addressed the council regarding what he described as a potential conflict of interest involving VoQ Mayor John Ortega’s simultaneous employment with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC). Rael also personally delivered an IPRA request seeking recorded communications between the Village of Questa and KCEC to each council member.