BY LWVLA OBSERVER CORPS
Editor’s note: Members of the League of Woman Voters of Los Alamos Observer Corps have been providing LWV members with reports on certain meetings in the County for many years. These reports have been included in the LWV’s monthly newsletter and now, at the invitation of the Los Alamos Reporter, will also be submitted to the Reporter for publication. The video of the full meeting may be seen at https://losalamos.granicus.com/player/clip/4763?view_id=2&redirect=true
LWVLA Observer Corps Report – County Council – May 12
Briefing by Planning and Zoning Commission Chair; Traffic Safety in Los Alamos County
The session was attended by Councilors Randall Ryti (Chair), Theresa Cull, Melanee Hand, Suzie Havemann, Ryn Herrmann, Beverly Neal-Clinton, and David Reagor.
Briefing by Planning and Zoning Commission Chair
Karen Easton, chair of the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission, presented the Commission’s work plan for FY26, emphasizing updating the Comprehensive Plan and Development Code, public engagement, and commissioner education.
Update of the County’s Comprehensive Plan
Easton highlighted the County’s Comprehensive Plan update as the Commission’s main focus. She emphasized the importance of public input in the process, given that the plan will guide land‑use priorities, budgeting and future changes to the County’s Development Code. Easton pointed out that the plan is a key component of what P&Z uses to decide guide zoning and development cases presented to it.
Easton said that the Community Development Department (CDD) had established a steering committee of 45 members to provide input on land use, housing redevelopment, and infrastructure to ensure that the plan aligns with community desires and County goals. The steering committee includes three current P&Z commissioners, as well as a commissioner who termed out.
Update of the Development Code
Easton said that P&Z is also supporting CDD in identifying updates in the Chapter 16 Development Code that will align with the updated Comprehensive Plan and are intended to simplify implementation for applicants and reviewers.
Easton said that P&Z was particularly interested in continuing its work on two Development Code issues: accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and parking requirements. P&Z is evaluating the potential for ADUs to expand housing opportunities while mitigating neighborhood impacts. She said that parking requirements are being revisited to ensure right-size standards and to improve efficiency in redevelopment and infill development.
Danyelle Valdez, Planning Manager, provided an update on the ongoing cleanup of the Development Code. She explained that code changes will be finalized once the CDD has an understanding of how the community wants to see the Comprehensive Plan developed. Code changes would be implemented after the updated plan has been completed and adopted.
Future Land Use Map and Zoning Changes
During Council discussion, Councilor Reagor asked for an update on the long-delayed cleanup of zoning-related inconsistencies, specifically concerns raised by residents about open space classifications. He asked whether Council could expect a clear timeline for completion.
Elias Isaacson, CDD Director, clarified that Reagor’s question specifically concerned the Future Land Use Map. Isaacson explained that this map is expected to be reviewed and potentially revised during the Comprehensive Plan process, rather than as a standalone earlier action, with a target completion by the end of the year. Once the revised Comprehensive Plan has been adopted by Council, any resulting zoning changes would be evaluated for possible incorporation into subsequent revisions of Chapter 16.
Parking Requirements
Councilor Ryti asked for clarification regarding possible changes to parking requirements.
Valdez explained that the County is still actively collecting data on parking requirements; she provided examples of current policy, noting that significant parking reductions already exist, particularly in Downtown Los Alamos and the White Rock Town Center zoning districts.
She described several overlapping reductions, including a 50% reduction in general commercial areas within designated downtown zones, a 20% reduction for proximity to transit, a two-for-one credit for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and an additional 10% reduction for bike-related amenities. Collectively, she said these mechanisms could result in total reductions of up to nearly 80% of standard parking requirements.
Valdez added that, despite the availability of these parking reduction incentives, they are not always fully utilized. She explained that developers often choose to provide higher amounts of parking based on project economics and long-term leasing needs.
She referenced the Coyote Mesa mixed-use development project on DP Road as an example. It includes a parking structure with over 400 spaces even though it qualifies for up to a 50% reduction in required parking. She said the final scale of parking was driven by market demand and tenant expectations, noting that the development would not be viable without sufficient parking to match unit-level occupancy demand.
Traffic Safety in Los Alamos County
Keith Wilson, Deputy Public Works Director, and Police Chief Sgambellone briefed Council on traffic and road safety initiatives, including outreach, education, enforcement, studies, and infrastructure projects aimed at reducing crashes and improving safety. The presentation covered crash data analysis, ongoing safety activities, and efforts to increase public awareness.
He emphasized that public input is incorporated into the decision-making process before recommendations move forward for implementation.
Overview of Crash Data
Wilson explained that the County uses crash data to identify problem areas and determine causes before developing solutions. He provided a detailed summary of crash data for Los Alamos County. He said, “When we look at crash data, we don’t want to just focus on one year or one incident, we want to try to build a picture of what’s going on. We’re trying to look at trends.”
Data from 2019 to 2025 revealed 8 fatal crashes, 250 injury crashes, and just over 600 property damage crashes in the County over that seven-year period.
Los Alamos County Crash Data, 2019–2025
| 2019 to 2025 | All Crashes | Pedestrians | Bicycles |
| Fatal | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Injury | 250 | 6 | 25 |
| Property damage only | 636 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 894 | 8 | 26 |
Using the metric of crashes per 1000 population, Wilson reported that the County is about 33% of the statewide rate for total crashes and 20% of the rate for crashes involving pedestrians. Although the rate of bicycle crashes in Los Alamos is slightly higher than the state average, Wilson cautioned that the County’s rates are based on fewer than 4 crashes per year over the 7-year period examined.
Wilson said that crash reports indicated that the primary contributing factors in the 900 crashes in the County were inattention (47%), failure to yield (14%), following too closely (12%), improper driving (9%), and speed (5%). Alcohol was a contributing factor in only 3% of the crashes.
Wilson showed maps of the spatial distribution of crashes throughout the County. He pointed out that, for fatal crashes and crashes involving pedestrians, the absence of a consistent pattern or common feature makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions. However, he said that such is not the case for the 26 crashes involving bicycles, which are primarily concentrated in the town site along its three main travel corridors, Trinity, Central, and Diamond Drive.
Traffic Safety Projects in Progress
Wilson updated Council on the components, status, and schedule for three road safety projects in progress, which were covered in previous observer reports in the League’s monthly newsletter:
● Trinity Drive Safety & ADA Improvements Project from Oppenheimer Dr. to Knecht St.,
● Ashley Pond Crowd Protection Project on Trinity Drive, and
● NM4 Crossing and Multi-use Trail Improvement Project and Piñon School Trail in White Rock.
Diamond Drive Wildlife Crash Study
Wilson said that wildlife crashes continue to be a problem in the County. The number of vehicular accidents involving large game animals was 102 in 2024, 63 in 2025, and 24 as of April 2026.
The County is launching a wildlife assessment to address areas with high rates of animal-vehicle crashes and expects recommendations from a consultant in the coming months. In the meantime, staff are exploring technology-based solutions. For example, AI-enabled cameras can detect wildlife and will activate flashing warning signs.
Public Works staff are considering a pilot installation in high-crossing areas near the Golf Course and are also evaluating additional options such as street lighting and speed management measures along the corridor. Street lighting remains under consideration but would require Council approval and carries an estimated cost of approximately $600,000.
NM 502 Crashes and Speeding
The County continues to study safety improvements along the NM 502 corridor from the County line to Airport Road following a 2024 fatal crash that prompted a road safety audit in partnership with LANL. The audit identified several areas for further study, including raised medians, traffic calming measures, and possible long-term intersection improvements such as a roundabout or traffic signal near Camino Entrada.
In response to previous crashes, the County has already implemented new striping, painted islands, and signage at Camino Entrada to slow turning vehicles and improve lane guidance.
The County is also extending centerline rumble strips from the County line to the airport to help reduce lane departure crashes, with installation expected by early June.
Pedestrian Crossing Studies
The County is evaluating several pedestrian and intersection safety improvements across multiple intersections. Planned and proposed measures under study include:
● enhanced crossings and refreshed pavement markings,
● additional crossings along Central Avenue,
● removal of streetside parking spaces to improve pedestrian visibility at crosswalks along Central Avenue, and
● installation of modular curbing to tighten the intersection and adjustment of school zone flashing beacons to better define and expand the school zone at the intersection of Grand Canyon and Sherwood Drives in White Rock.
Staff are currently analyzing traffic, crash, transit, and pedestrian data, coordinating with community stakeholders, and preparing recommendations for upcoming Transportation Board and Council meetings.
Canyon Rim Trail
Wilson reported on the status of the Canyon Rim Trail, which is being advanced as an alternative route to reduce reliance on Trinity Drive through the Los Alamos Town Center.
Phase 3A is currently in design and, due to easements on LANL property, requires a biological assessment before proceeding. The segment is expected to go out to bid in the fall, with construction to follow shortly after, extending the trail connection to 15th Street near Natural Grocers.
Phase 3B and later work tied to the 20th Street development are anticipated to be completed around 2028, ultimately creating a continuous connection between Trinity Drive and the Urban Trail system.
Eric Martinez, Public Works Director, noted that Phase 4 of the Canyon Rim Trail—from Oppenheimer Drive west toward Diamond Drive—was “on the radar” but not currently on the list of Capital Improvement Projects included in the County’s budget. He added that this section of trail would require some condemnation of land.
Bicycle Safety
Wilson reported that the County has installed its first green bike lane sections on Diamond Drive near the Sullivan Field parking lot entrance and on Canyon Road. These locations experience high bicycle use and frequent conflicts with turning vehicles.
He noted that the project was enabled only after updates to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices allowed green bike lane markings. The treatment uses a durable epoxy and crushed glass material designed to withstand heavy use and winter maintenance.
2026 Traffic Enforcement Update
Police Chief Sgambellone reported that, in the first four months of the year, the Traffic Enforcement Unit issued 787 warnings and 50 citations. Although recent commuter traffic monitoring shows some improvement in driver behavior, excessive speed and dangerous driving continue to be concerns, particularly among motorcycle operators. Police recorded 526 vehicles driving over the speed limit, of which 61% exceeded the limit by 16–25 mph.
Sgambellone said the Traffic Unit is working to organize a multijurisdictional traffic enforcement operation targeting evening commuter traffic, in coordination with the New Mexico State Police, Pojoaque Tribal Police, and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.
Council Discussion on Traffic and Safety Improvements
Summary of Council Discussion
Councilors discussed numerous ways to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
Wilson and Martinez responded thoughtfully to each suggestion. In some cases, they promised to follow up or request guidance from Council. In other cases, they explained why they did not support adopting the recommendation.
They emphasized that such decisions are made deliberately and in accordance with adopted national guidelines. They noted that many measures must also be evaluated through the lens of liability, as features that are difficult to maintain or that fall outside national standards can create legal and safety concerns that are difficult to defend. They warned that some of the suggested solutions could unintentionally increase safety risks for pedestrians or bicyclists.
Pedestrian Visibility at Crossings
Councilor Havemann opened the discussion by advocating the Public Works use a Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper (LQC) approach for implementing improvements to safety issues as soon as possible after the issues are identified. She felt that there was a tendency to overstudy and overanalyze some issues.
Havemann recounted her frustration that Public Works delayed taking action to remove parking spaces on Central Avenue because they were waiting for business input from the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation. Noting that only four businesses would be affected, she suggested that the issue could quickly be resolved by direct interaction with those businesses, with councilors, or with the Transportation Board. “I don’t know why it couldn’t be done tomorrow. Let’s get on with it, because it’s just an accident waiting to happen.”
Havemann acknowledged the reality of liability but said “I just think we need to figure out how to do that risk calculation and decide maybe sometimes we’re willing to take the risk on the liability.” She urged that serious traffic safety problems be elevated to a top priority immediately when it is clear that measures in place are not effective, “just like we fix a power outage.”
Crosswalks on Central Avenue
Havemann felt that the variety of crosswalk designs used on Central Avenue created confusion for drivers, saying “You’ve got bump outs at one point, then you’ve got big striped crosswalks at another point and then you go a bit farther and it’s a different kind of crosswalk.”
Martinez explained the design of Central Avenue through Downtown was deliberately done to encourage traffic calming. He said the number of parking spaces, the tightness of the corridor, the number of crosswalks were all intended to encourage traffic calming, not to put anybody crossing at a disadvantage.
Left Hand Turns by Drivers at Intersections
Havemann said one of her top safety issues was the need for measures to encourage drivers to make tighter left turns. She felt that shortcutting left turns was a primary source of danger for other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and hidden wildlife. She encouraged Public Works to implement quick and easy simple ways to change driver behavior.
eBikes
Councilor Havemann highlighted the dangers posed by ebikes. She suggested the need to be proactive by considering ebikes in future transportation planning.
Wilson explained that the issue was with high-speed powered non-pedal ebikes that can reach speeds of 30 to 40 mph.
Martinez noted that most complaints about ebikes have come from people on multi-use trails, not from roadways, and that the department had not received a lot of complaints about the issue.
Martinez added that the Transportation Board recognized that the speed ebikes can maintain on a multi-use trail like Canyon Rim Trail can pose dangers for the bikes and pedestrians, given the speed disparity between the two.
Closing Central Avenue to Motor Vehicles
Council Cull asked whether Public Works had considered closing Central Avenue between 15th and 20th Streets.
Wilson replied that the Bicycle Working Group had raised the potential to create a bike boulevard for pedestrians and bicyclists, but that Public Works had not looked into it or conducted analyses of the possible ramifications. One of his concerns would be whether traffic might start cutting through Peach and Nectar Streets if Central Avenue were closed.
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