§ 16-286. Group homes.

To promote noninstitutional living arrangements for handicapped persons while preserving the residential character of the neighborhood and minimizing the effect of the group home on traffic congestion in the neighborhood, a group home shall be permitted in any residential zoning district upon a showing of the following to the director:

(1)

That prior to occupancy of the group home the operation is licensed by the State of New Mexico, if required, or if not required, evidence confirming that such licensing is not required;

(2)

That the group home conforms to existing zoning regulations applicable to other residential uses permitted in the zoning district;

(3)

That the group home has certified by affidavit to the county that its residents and programs comply with the definition of "group home" as set forth in this chapter, which requirements are intended to preserve the residential character of the neighborhood;

(4)

Parking requirements for group homes set out in section 16-370 are met and an agreement, signed by the operator of the group home, is provided to the county assuring that these requirements will continue to be met during the time the group home is operating;

(5)

In any block or block face there shall be no more than one group home nor shall there be a group home on the corner of a block located diagonally to a block with an existing group home; and

(6)

That there is nothing on the exterior of the group home that would distinguish it from other residential uses in the zoning district.

(Ord. No. 02-008, § 2, 1-28-2003)