United Communities of Santa Fe County 2073 Camino Samuel Montoya Santa Fe, N.M. 87507 Honorable County Commissioners: October 14, 2014 For years the United Communities of Santa Fe County (UCSFC) has been working with Santa Fe County to create and improve the Sustainable land Development Code (SLDC). As you know, we represent over 26 communities and various other organizations. We have worked closely with you and staff, with many positive results over this time, and we appreciate it. For the purposes of today’s meeting, we support the third option, for the following reasons: We wish to bring to your attention a fundamental issue that will substantially limit your ability to regulate land use planning in Santa Fe County if the Zoning Map is passed as is. The Code assumes that a property-specific plan is in place prior to any zoning change. This is to balance the extensive flexibility allowed to developers by the Code. Once zoning changes, it allows the developer to quickly proceed. The only time the Commission or community has significant control or input, is prior to the zoning change; therefore, weve got to get the zoning right. Unjustified Upzoning - The Commission loses control The proposed zoning map upgrades a number of parcels. Thousands of acres of agricultural lands are changed from their current use, to commercial or industrial uses; it is not clear why these changes were made. There was virtually no community involvement and a number of communities disagree with these proposed zoning changes. If you pass the zoning map, you lose the decision making authority in these areas. You will not be able to create the sustainable communities you envision. UCSFC supports developer flexibility, but only when a community-reviewed plan precedes the change in zoning. Affirmation of Community / District Plans The Code currently contains a contradiction where the zoning in community plans and district plans does not match the zoning map. This will theoretically be changed with the overlay districts, but until those are created and passed as ordinances, it could create a great deal of problems and confusion. A number of communities feel that the proposed zoning map does not match their community / district plans. We ask that the Code be clarified so that community / district plans clearly have precedence over the zoning map. There are certain changes with the Code that can be modified with a simple vote. However, if you pass the zoning map, it is irreversible. Once a property is upzoned, an owner can legally claim that a downzone violates their property rights; the change is irreversible. Planned Community Involvement The Code provides an extensive notification mechanism for communities, using community and registered organizations - this balances the flexibility provided to developers. The mechanism for notification is not currently in place, so it precludes residents from being able to respond to proposed development that could severely impact them. UCSFC asks that these mechanisms be in place before the Code is passed. We believe in the goals of providing developers flexibility, but only with proper planning. With planning we can create great sustainable communities. Without planning, we risk continued piecemeal, haphazard development that the County will ultimately have to provide services for. Therefore, we support the third option. Please note that we have limited our concerns mostly to the zoning map, as that is the most immediately pressing issue. We have a number of structural and legal concerns with the Code itself, and this is another reason why we support Option 3. Great progress has been made, but, as was expressed so well by a member of the Commission at the Rodeo Grounds: “we need to get it right.” To which we would add: “that will take more time.” Thank you for taking the time to listen to our concerns. Sincerely, William H. Mee for the Steering Committee United Communities of Santa Fe County (505) 473-3160 UCSFC Steering Committee: William H. Mee, Agua Fria Village, WilliamHenryMee@aol, 473-3160 Frank Hirsch, Galisteo, EFHirsch@gmail, 466-0109 Carl Dickens, La Cienega Valley, cedickens2@yahoo, 577-3708 Paul White, Las Tres Villas/Chupadero, paulwhitesf@gmail, 988-1082 Vicente Roybal, Pojoaque Valley, vicente.roybal@gmail, 455-7848, 501-4504 Walt Wait, San Marcos District, WaltWait@q, 471-0645 Ann Murray, Cerrillos, murlock@raintreecounty, 471-9182 Toni Olson, (South) San Pedro, [email protected], 281-0751 Karen Yank, Golden and Turquoise Trail, hamonyank@cybermesa, 281-0243 UCSFC Leadership Team: Is the UCSFC Steering Committee Plus Roger Taylor, Water Committee Chairperson, Santa Fe Basin Water Association, clearskynm@gmail, Energy Committee Chairperson: David Bacon, San Marcos District, tocino8@cnsp, Sustainability Committee Chairperson: Eduardo Krasilovsky, El Dorado Energy Co-Op, tortuga@cnsp, County Review Committee Chairperson: Lynne Velasco, Nambe, lynnevelasconambe@gmail, Local Sustainable Food Committee Chairperson: Sue Barnum, Tesuque, spontasue@gmail Leadership Team members-at-large: Ellen Collins, Tano Road Association, Ross Lockridge, Cerrillos, murlock@raintreecounty, Bill Baker, San Pedro, [email protected], Cam Duncan, Tesuque, [email protected], Julie Glassmoyer, San Pedro, julieg2001@gmail, The UCSFC is comprised of representatives of many of the area’s community groups, and is dedicated to the advancement of, and protection of the current residents of Santa Fe County.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 16:50:53 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015