Disappointed in Placitas

On Nov. 30, after two hearings and six months of delays, the Sandoval County Planning and Zoning Commission denied the application for a zone map amendment by Placitas Sage Cohousing on six acres in Placitas West. Their denial was ostensibly based on an opinion by the county attorney on what she called an “ambiguous” zoning ordinance. The P&Z chair clearly forced the issue, allowing PSC’s attorney only a brief opportunity to rebut.

This decision was made despite the recommendation of the P&Z staff for approval of our application, citing it as the best and most complete application they had received.

Although there was strong support for PSC throughout the larger Placitas community, a small group of residents of Placitas West raised strong opposition to the project, often using misinformation and intimidation to support their cause, demonstrating their disregard for civil discourse both to their neighbors and in the quasi-judicial setting of the P&Z hearing.

The members of PSC are very disappointed by how our project was handled by P&Z and by how many of our potential neighbors in Placitas West behaved. As the sole developers, funding this project out of our retirement savings, we worked for nearly four years to create the carefully thought out plans for this cohousing community, which would have been a model for Sandoval County. We will move on to find another location that welcomes and values us. We are immensely saddened that Placitas, through the action of P&Z Commission, rejected us. JOYCE THOMPSON President, Placitas Sage Cohousing for its membership Placitas