Newly appointed Española Planning and Zoning Commissioner Audrey Garduño possesses many of the qualities needed to succeed on the seven-person Commission — and being a former volunteer on Mayor Alice Lucero’s reelection campaign can’t hurt.
Garduño was unanimously appointed to the Commission by the City Council March 20 after Lucero nominated the 34-year-old at the Council’s reorganization meeting.
Garduño said in an interview that she knew Lucero through her canvassing efforts on behalf of the mayor.
“You have to be somewhat politically connected to see future growth and change in Española,” Garduño said.
Lucero said she didn’t know Garduño before her mayoral campaign, but sat down with her while on the campaign trail and came away impressed.
“Her interest in the city and her willingness to serve and her level of education are all indicators that she will be a great asset,” Lucero said.
Planning and Zoning Director Russell Naranjo also praised the new commissioner.
“She has that ambition, that desire, to make Española a better place,” Naranjo said.
In talking about her new role, Garduño’s vision for the position seems to match up with that of Lucero and Naranjo.
“The reason I’m interested in (the) Planning and Zoning Commission is to be a part of any kind of infrastructure in Española,” Garduño said. “Any type of economic stimulation.”
Garduño has spent plenty of time over the course of her career concerned with “economic stimulation.”
She said she earned a master’s degree in business administration from the College of Santa Fe in 2003. The next 10 years were spent working in real estate, including a position with Clayton Homes.
While working in local real estate, Garduño said she would often work with Naranjo about what was permissible under planning and zoning codes.
Garduño said she currently works for the state Department of Transportation in the human resources department. Garduño’s employment with the Department is a common link with her predecessor, Julie Atencio, who is retiring from her position as the Department’s acting inspector general.
Lucero said Atencio wanted to take some time off from government after her retirement from the Department, leading to her resignation.
“We were very sad that Julie didn’t want to be on the Planning and Zoning Commission anymore,” Naranjo said.
The transition between Atencio and Garduño comes at a key time for the Commission. Naranjo said the Commission isn’t just responsible for approving projects in regards to planning and zoning codes, but also the economic development and aesthetics of the city, as well.
In recent months, the Commission has approved site plan reviews for McDonald’s, Big 5 and janitorial supply company Performance Maintenance Inc. During many of those reviews, the Commission debated how much leeway they should grant an applicant who could contribute economic growth to the city while still maintaining the integrity of the city’s planning and zoning codes.
Garduño will join the Commission April 10 during the Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting.