You probably haven’t heard of the new proposed subdivision “Santolina” and yet the Bernalillo County Planning Commission has been debating about its implementation for months. The Santolina subdivision is proposed to be built in the southwest portion of Bernalillo County on what is commonly referred to as the Black Mesa. The subdivision would cover almost 14,000 previously untouched acres with approximately 38,000 new cookie-cutter homes. Arizona-based Western Albuquerque Land Holdings (WALH) is the now persistent developer that is trying to have the draft “Master Plan A” of Santolina approved. Although you may not have ever heard of Santolina, you should object to it, and here’s why:
1. The Santolina Development Plan Will Cost Taxpayers Approximately $1.1 Billion
-There is currently no infrastructure on the proposed area of development. WALH expects the Bernalillo taxpayers to pay for the roads that have to be built in the area.
-It will cost taxpayers $650+ million dollars to construct new schools-15 new elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 2 high schools. These development costs don’t even include the land needed for the schools; WALH is hoping that the land will be donated. It is not fair to charge taxpayers for new schools outside of APS when many of those schools within APS are currently underfunded and overcapacity.
2. The Water Situation
-The area that Santolina is proposed to be built on currently has no water rights.
-The Santolina subdivision calls for approximately 43,000 acre feet/year in water which equates to over 400 gallons per person in Santolina per day.
-WALH developers claim that the Albuquerque Water Authority (AWA) has told them that they can meet these water needs. What WALH apparently fails to understand is that the AWA does not allocate water, the State Engineer does. Thus, we can infer that the AWA is willing to give up what scarce water belongs to Albuquerque in the name of destroying our enchanting, historic landscape.
-WALH recommends that the water be taken from the San Juan/Chama project. This would amount to 90% of the total San Juan/Chama project water allocated to our city. Allocation does not mean guaranteed delivery. If it doesn’t rain enough, we do not receive the total amount of water allocated to us.
-The water would be piped above ground to the Santolina subdivision, and their sewage water would be pumped back to the ABQ water treatment plant, (damaging our enchanting view-shed.) The ABQ Water Treatment Plant cannot handle taking on that excess in sewage long term.
-Our Aquifer is at a high risk of contamination due to the Kirtland Jet Fuel Spill.
-Most of the water in New Mexico is not legally appropriated because there are a vast number of stakeholders with overlapping and valid claims making it hard to “give” to any newcomers. New Mexico’s water is 100% allocated.
- The state of Texas is currently suing New Mexico because we aren’t giving them the amount of water we legally are obligated to through the Rio Grande Compact.
-Vast subdivisions will only further strain our scarce water resources.
-If we build subdivisions, we continually sacrifice more of our agricultural water and compromise our historic acequias.
-The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District has projected that we will exceed our supply of water. There will be an excess demand for 46,600 acre feet/year of water in 2030 (which does not include the proposed water need for Santolina).
3. We Don’t Need Any More Subdivisions
-The New Mexican economy has been in trouble for the past decade. New Mexico ranked 48th in job growth in the nation as of November 2013 and our population growth is approaching zero.
-Mesa Del Sol, a huge subdivision that made the same promises that Santolina claims to be capable of, (economic stimulation that brings thousands of residents and jobs to Albuquerque), has done nothing of the sort. As of February 2013 Mesa Del Sol had generated 7% of the total promised jobs and only 1% of the expected homes had been built/planned. That 1% is a mere 50 homes, out of the 213 sites they have plotted for the “1st neighborhood.” As of May 2013, Mesa Del Sol had cost taxpayers $7.1 million dollars (with total commitments of $650 million in state subsidies) when the key developer decided to pull out of the project. If Mesa Del Sol isn’t drawing people, jobs or money in, why would we think that Santolina could? Clearly, there is not a demand for more housing on the Westside.
-2010 Census data shows Albuquerque had almost 15,000 vacant homes. All recent data suggests that this vacancy rate has only increased.
- Albuquerque planner Paul Lusk suggests that there is enough room within the established area of Albuquerque to accommodate any future growth that might occur. Moreover, the 2013 Albuquerque/Bernalillo Comprehensive plan calls for a denser metropolitan core, with 5 distinct areas identified for development. The area that Santolina is proposed to be built on is slated as “Reserve” land via the Comprehensive Plan. The Reserve space has been specifically identified for use in the case that we run out of room to develop. Therefore, approving Santolina is unnecessary and would not be contingent with the current Comprehensive Plan.
The Bottom Line
Development of the Santolina subdivision will only worsen the economic and environmental issues we face today. We don’t have surplus water resources, we don’t have the tax dollars, and above all we don’t have the need for Santolina. So speak up, get involved and oppose the Santolina subdivision. Sign the petition against the subdivision, like “Contra Santolina” on Facebook to find out more information and go to the next CPC meeting on December 3rd at 9 a.m. in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers at One Civic Plaza NW, Albuquerque New Mexico 87102.
Responses to “3 Good Reasons Why You Should Object to the Santolina Subdivision”