P and Z tables 49-lot application, again
After a heated two-hour virtual public hearing to discuss the previously tabled application for the Camino Fiesta subdivision, the town planning and zoning commission eventually tabled the application until Jan. 6 pending several updates.
The decision marks yet another continuance in the fouryear journey for Alex Abeyta of Abeyta Engineering to try to develop the proposed 49-lot subdivision on Paseo del Pueblo Norte, just across from Cid’s Food Market and neighboring Not Forgotten Outreach.
Abeyta began by stating that the project “needs to move forward” and that it “can’t sustain any other delays.” He asked the council to either approve or deny the application, so that he could get started on the 49-lot Camino Fiesta, or move on with another project (a larger, more densely populated complex) on the land.
Abeyta also said that he was not prepared to do any further traffic studies. With traffic being one of the main issues concerning local residents, this created tension when the public joined the conversation. “They’re saying that our opinions don’t count, and then they level more threats,” said Taos resident Ken Manning. He suggested that the commission move to require another traffic study and that “the public have an opportunity to review the scope of that study.”
Commissioner Pavel Lukes said that he was all for in-fill projects (or projects that make use of empty land located within an already urbanized area), but that “no infill projects are burdened with so many challenges as this one.” Lukes agreed that the traffic around the area was an issue, regardless of what the previous study said. “You see southbound traffic backed up all the way to the driveway of [ Taos] Outback Pizza. Just imagine what it’s going to look like when there are 49 houses,” he said.
Another top issue of the meeting was the disagreement of easement issues between Abeyta and Don Peters, executive director of Not Forgotten Outreach. The commission suggested that Abeyta, Peters and their respective lawyers settle the issue of whether or not Abeyta’s development would affect Peters’ land outside of a public hearing.
Along with easement and access issues, water rights remain a concern for many, as Peters claimed NFO has water rights to the same acequia as the development would. Commissioner Norbert Mondragon said that Peters should provide proof of water rights by the next meeting.
Nearing the end of the meeting, commissioner Kenneth Martinez moved to approve the application, and said he felt Abeyta had done everything he needed to. Concerning traffic, Martinez said that he felt the amount of cars at the development “aren’t going to make a bit of difference.” However, the motion died as none of the other commissioners seconded it.
Eventually, commissioner Mondragon moved to table the application, and require that Peters bring proof of acequia access and that easement issues be figured out. Chairman Doug Patterson also added a requirement that the subdivision limit its density to one dwelling unit per lot, ensuring that only 49 houses be built on the property if the application gets approval.
Patterson, Mondragon and Commissioner Billy Romero voted to table the motion, and commissioner Lukes voted no. Kenneth Martinez had signed off before the vote was called.