ABQ Journal Front Page News 11.22.24 – Read Full Story
There was a full-house of East Mountain residents opposing Campbell Ranch last night. The Edgewood Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the subdivision proposal for Campbell Ranch, focusing on water availability, community impact, and procedural fairness.
Vote: Edgewood P&Z Voted 3 to 2 in favor of Campbell Ranch
Next Step: File an appeal with the Edgewood Town Commission in 15-calendar days
Hearing Highlights:
- Public comment session allowed residents to voice concerns about the subdivision.
- Water scarcity was a major concern among community members.
- The Planning and Zoning Manager introduced himself and discussed the process that would take place during the Quasi-Judicial hearing.
- The commission emphasized that the meeting was not about final approvals but about subdivision.
- Affected parties expressed frustration over potential impacts and procedural transparency.
- Community members questioned the feasibility of the development based on past rulings.
- The proposal would significantly change the rural character of the East Mountain community.
Key Issues:
- Water Supply Issues:
The community is deeply concerned about the lack of adequate water resources to support the proposed development, which has been a historical issue affecting local wells. This raises questions about the sustainability of future growth in the area. - Procedural Fairness:
The process for public comments and affected party notifications has been scrutinized. Many residents feel that their voices aren’t adequately heard, suggesting a need for better communication and engagement strategies from the commission. - Historical Context:
Previous litigation and denials regarding the development highlight the community’s ongoing opposition and skepticism towards the viability of this project, indicating that past decisions should inform current considerations. - Community Character:
The proposed subdivision threatens the rural character of the East Mountain area, leading to fears of overdevelopment and loss of local identity. Residents want to preserve the unique qualities that attracted them to the region. - Traffic Concerns:
Increased traffic resulting from the proposed development could exacerbate existing congestion issues on local roads, impacting overall quality of life for residents. - Economic Impact:
Residents express concern about potential declines in property values and increased costs related to infrastructure needs, suggesting that the development may not be economically beneficial for the community. - Long-term Viability:
Many residents question whether such a large-scale development is feasible given the current infrastructure and resources, emphasizing the need for thorough assessments before proceeding.
Now what?
EMPAC spent today talking about an appeal strategy and has a time setup with the attorney on Monday to discuss legal details. What we believe could be the best approach is a type of class-action appeal. We are considering how EMPAC, using our attorney, can develop an appeal that multiple “affected” people can join. We are working to quickly finalize our strategy.
What can you do?
Help create awareness and knowledge by sharing news and developments with your friends and neighbors. Just because you/they don’t reside in the communities along Highway 14, doesn’t mean you may not be impacted. EMPAC will continue to share updates on the process as soon as we have information. To have information delivered to your email, sign up for communication at https://theempac.org/contact/. Donate to help defray legal costs that are associated with the battle to keep Campbell Ranch out. https://theempac.org/donate/ EMPAC is an all volunteer non-profit organization committed to preserving the East Mountains way of life. We really need your East Mountain support. When you donate to EMPAC, you can be sure it’s safe AND going directly to help the costs for legal assistance. Stay tuned! And in conclusion, check this out from the Town of Edgewood’s website where it describes the Responsibilities of the P & Z department: “The Planning & Zoning Department performs a variety of services intended to protect, maintain, and develop an attractive, safe, and healthy environment….” In our opinion, they have failed.
