Ignacio town trustees have approved mixed commercial and residential use on Goddard Avenue as part of the town land use code.

The change allows for living quarters above or behind a business, also a business in someone's home on Goddard.

Community Development Director Dan Naiman presented the final revised draft ordinance to trustees on Dec. 17. The stated intent is "to create economic development and social vitality," he said.

He said he removed a requirement that the residence on a commercial property must be owner-occupied. People living in an existing single-family home will be able to add a business use and still live there.

A new resident next to the El Amigo restaurant wants to open an electronics business, but under the current code, she couldn't live there, he said. So it's more restrictive than the town's three residential zones, which allow home occupations including non-resident employees.

Trustee Tom Atencio wanted it stated in the code language, not just the ordinance, that the mixed use is only on Goddard Avenue.

Trustee Cecilia Robbins agreed. She objected that they didn't have the final, final draft that they were voting on. She cast the lone no vote for that reason. "I love the concept," she said.

"What you are proposing we agree to tonight is a document that's not finished," Robbins said. I think it needs to be better spelled out that it's in reference to Goddard Avenue, something that would absolutely identify it."

Naiman asked, "Do you ever see mixed use zoning going anywhere else in town?"

Atencio said, "Maybe, but not at this time."

Trustee Lawrence Bartley asked, "How does it affect the town if there's not this zoning? People's desire to come here."

Naiman said, "What I'm hearing is the existing code is too restrictive, that there's nothing happening with the vacant lots because of that."

He said, "I understand not wanting to sign something that's not finished, but these are relatively minor changes (from the previous version). It doesn't have to be signed this evening. It doesn't take effect until 30 days after it's signed. I'll add in the ordinance that the development needs of the town make this necessary and add that it pertains to Goddard Avenue. As it stands now, it's really only necessary along Goddard Avenue. I can't say about 10 years from now."

He said he also would add in the code definition of a mixed use district that it applies only along Goddard.

Town Manager Lee San Miguel said staff will be looking next at sign code revisions.