SECURING THE FUTURE OF AREA 1

We have taken a huge step in securing the character of our neighborhoods, collectively known as "Area 1".

Area 1 is truly a unique area. Approximately 60% of the land is presently occupied, with rural lots of mostly one dwelling per 2.5 acres, and some with 1 dwelling per acre. It is a traditional rural area, with deep arroyos, ridgelines, and hundreds of acres of scenic land in the foothills west of the City.

The original Settlement Agreement stipulated, in section 2.c "Area 1 shall be annexed but the Rural Residential zoning prevalent in the area shall be respected by the City following annexation and urban densities shall not be established within Area 1 during the term of this agreement." The City Planning Commission and City Council have endorsed urban densities as a core of their view of Urban Planning, setting the stage for potential conflicts with the existing rural neighborhoods in Area 1.

Unfortunately, we became afraid that the many of the good intentions of the Settlement Agreement were coming apart as we attended various meetings held by the City and the County to formally adopt exactly what "Rural Residential Zoning" would be. It was looking like we would be zoned for 3 units per acre, before bonus densities were factored in.

A final recommendation was scheduled for Thursday by the Extraterritorial Land Use Authority (ELUA). I am extremely gratified to report that the ELUA listened intently to the Area 1 Residents' concerns, and adopted an alternative zoning more in line with the existing rural character of the neighborhoods of 1 unit per acre, with a dedicated Community Planning process to follow.

Dozens of Area 1 homeowners join me in thanking County Commissioners Harry Montoya, Michael Anaya, Virginia Vigil, Kathy Holian, and City Councilors Miguel Chavez and Carmichael Dominguez. The community of Area 1 residents must follow through with the work necessary to complete a Community Plan. We will be asking for your and your neighbors support in the coming months. There will be challenges as Area 1 is brought into the City, but the members of ELUA have provided a good framework for the creation of a successful integration.

SUCCESS!

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING TONIGHT!

Watch here for continuing news and updates.

THURSDAY'S ELUA MEETING

REMINDER: PLEASE ATTEND THURSDAY'S CRITICAL ELUA MEETING.

WE NEED YOU TO ATTEND THE MEETING, it is vital that we have a strong presence at this Thursday's ELUA meeting, to be held at 102 Grant Street at 6 PM. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, WE NEED YOU.

Please email savesantafe@cybermesa.com or call 603 0986 for detailed information.

As a refresher, here is the SF New Mexican's editorial, and two excellent op-ed pieces here and here.

The neighborhood you save will be your own.

ACTION TIME

We have less than 48 hours to Thursday's critical ELUA meeting. Our coalition of concerned Area 1 residents has prepared a specific set of proposals and has distributed them to the members of the ELUA. These proposals offer specific alternatives to counter the current City RR zoning - which would allow a minimum base density of 3 units per acre. Additionally we are currently contacting ELUA members to ask that they support the original intentof the Annexation Settlement Agreement. Please email savesantafe@cybermesa.com or call 603 0986 for further information.

WE NEED YOU TO ATTEND THE MEETING, it is vital that we have a strong presence at this Thursday's ELUA meeting, to be held at 102 Grant Street at 6 PM. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, WE NEED YOU. The neighborhood you save will be your own.

As a refresher, here is the SF New Mexicans editorial, and two excellent op-ed pieces here and here

Continue to contact the people involved on this: ELUA here, County and City here. Also contact our County representative Commissioner Vigil: vvigil@co.santa-fe.nm.us , 995-2755.

Thank you.

NEWS AND IMPORTANT REMINDER

A group of residents from the Cielo Lumbre, Coyote Ridge, and Calle Nopal areas recently had preliminary discussions with the County about creating a community plan with a moratorium for City zoning and density changes. This is only a beginning, and nothing is assured, but it is an indication we are being heard.

It is vital that we have a strong presence at this Thursday's ELUA meeting, to be held at 102 Grant Street at 6 PM. We are sorry for the long meeting at the ELUC, but our turnout this Thursday is critical to show our determination.

Continue to contact the people involved on this: ELUA here, County and City here. Also contact our County representative Commissioner Vigil: vvigil@co.santa-fe.nm.us , 995-2755.

We had a great series of op-eds and letters to the editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican, keep them coming: here is a direct link to submit a letter.

If the ELUA votes to adopt the existing ordinance, we sill have options and remedies available. We have made progress, however slight, this is a long and difficult road, and the other side had a formidable head start, but as they say, "it's not over until it's over".

Tell your neighbors. See you Thursday. Stay tuned!

UPDATE: ELUA NEXT, AUGUST 27

Despite overwhelming public opposition, the ELUC voted to recommend that the City adopt the SPAZO ordinance including the increased densities for Area 1.

Thank again for everyone that came to the meeting, we made an impressive argument for our cause. THE BATTLE IS NOT OVER!

There are other developments taking place, so our coalition is still working with County and State officials - stay tuned. This is a long and difficult road, and the other side had a formidable head start, but as they say, "it's not over until it's over".

Watch here for updates, and let's prepare for the ELUA meeting August 27. Continue to contact the people involved on this: ELUC here, County and City here. Also contact our County representative Commissioner Vigil: vvigil@co.santa-fe.nm.us , 995-2755./

Write a letter to the editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican, here is a direct link to submit a letter.
Contact your neighbors. Organize your neighborhood. Protect your neighborhood!

REMEMBER: The next critical meeting is the Extraterritorial Land Use Authority (ELUA) on August 27, also at 102 Grant at 6PM. Stay tuned.

Thank you!

THANK YOU!

Thanks to everyone who braved last night's meeting. There was no indication from the agenda that so many items would be heard before we could speak, so we apologize for the delay and length of the meeting.

Our perseverance showed, Stay tuned.

CRITICAL ELUC MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 13

URGENT! PLEASE ATTEND!

The next step in the City's Annexation of Area 1 is the Extraterritorial Land Use Commission (ELUC) meeting THURSDAY, August 13, at 6 PM at the County Chambers 102 Grant Street.
The public meeting is to adopt new zoning, subdivision, and higher density regulations that the City approved in May. The public can speak and request a delay or changes. All Area 1 residents are urged to attend; the annexation process is rapidly going forward. Area 1 will become subject to City ordinance 30 days after August 28 - even though the area will not be formally annexed until 2012/13.

There are serious zoning, density, and other changes that will impact Area 1. Many other areas have serious concerns, please spread the word. This is a must-attend meeting, a large and vocal turnout just might influence the Commission to delay or consider changes to the Ordinance.

You can also take a moment now to contact the Committee Members:ELUA here; ELUC here, County and City here. Also contact our County representative Commissioner Vigil: vvigil@co.santa-fe.nm.us , 995-2755.

Here is the agenda.

Write a letter to the editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican, here is a direct link to submitt a letter.

Contact your neighbors. Organize your neighborhood. Protect your neighborhood!

The next critical meeting is the Extraterritorial Land Use Authority (ELUA) on August 27, also at 102 Grant at 6PM. Stay tuned.

AREA 1 COMMENTARY IN SATURDAY'S PAPER

The Santa Fe New Mexican today published a comprehensive summary of the annexation issue facing residents of Area 1. See the full article here. The article ends: "Why can't we be heard?"

We can have a voice this Thursday, August 13 at the Extraterritorial Land Use Commission (ELUC) meeting THURSDAY, at 6 PM at the County Chambers 102 Grant Street.

See full details in the post below. See you there!

IMPORTANT ANNEXATION MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 13

The next step in the City's Annexation of Area 1 is the Extraterritorial Land Use Commission (ELUC) meeting THURSDAY, August 13, at 6 PM at the County Chambers 102 Grant Street.

The public meeting is to adopt new zoning, subdivision, and higher density regulations that the City approved in May. The public can speak and request a delay or changes. All Area 1 residents are urged to attend; the annexation process is rapidly going forward. Area 1 will become subject to City ordinance 30 days after August 28 - even though the area will not be formally annexed until 2012/13.

There are serious zoning, density, and other changes that will impact Area 1. This is a must-attend meeting, a large and vocal turnout just might influence the Commission to delay or consider changes to the Ordinance.

You can also take a moment now to contact the Committee Members:
ELUA here; ELUC here, County and City here. Also contact our County representative Commissioner Vigil: vvigil@co.santa-fe.nm.us , 995-2755.

Write a letter to the editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican, here is a direct link to submitt a letter.

The next critical meeting is the Extraterritorial Land Use Authority (ELUA) on August 27, also at 102 Grant at 6PM. Stay tuned.