Commentary: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Bernalillo County Commission (BCC) hasscheduled a hearing on Tuesday, August 15 for the proposed Santolina Level B.1 Master Plan. At that meeting, the Commission will also consider a recommendation by the County Planning Commission that the BCC strip proof-of-water conditions for the development.
The Level B process marks the last time under the county’s Planned Communities Criteria process that the Bernalillo County Commission will be able to consider, or the public will be able to weigh in on, the largest development ever proposed for the county.
WHAT: Bernalillo County Commission Hearing on Santolina development
WHEN: Tuesday, August 15 at 5:00 pm. (To be continued on August 30if necessary).
WHERE: Vincent E. Griego Chambers, City/County Building, One Civic Plaza, NW [Map]
The Commission will also hear two appeals brought by:
• SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP)
• New Mexico Health Equity Working Group
• Pajarito Village Neighborhood Association
• Center for Sustainable Systems
• South Valley Coalition of Neighborhood Associations
• South Valley Regional Association of Acequias and
• eight individuals.
The community advocates are represented by the non-profit, public-interest New Mexico Environmental Law Center.
1. The first appeal challenges a recommendation by the Planning Commission that the BCC approve the Level B.1 Master Plan, despite the failure of the developer to meet several requirements in the county’s Planned Communities Criteria.
2. The second appeal (see Part I and Part II) challenges the recommendation by the Planning Commission that the BCC remove conditions from its Level A approvals that would require Santolina to prove that it has water for the project before its Level B.1 Master plan can be approved.
For more information about this case, please see the NMELC Santolina Case Page our fact sheet and timeline.
New Mexico Environmental Law Center is celebrating 30 years of fighting for environmental justice for the people of New Mexico. The NMELC's mission is to protect New Mexico's communities and their air, land and water in the fight for environmental justice. www.nmelc.org