Commission approves Santolinas request
The developers for a large planned community that will be built on the outskirts of Albuquerque have received approval to build a solar array, a wind energy project, and either a landfill or a recycling facility.
The Bernalillo County Commission voted in favor of the developer’s Level BII plan. This means 630 acres of the site’s 14,000 acres can be used for specific industrial uses. The master plan for the project was also amended so that the documents are consistent.
The developers, Garrett Development Corp., filed for the approvals primarily because of how the water strategy changed. A representative for the Santolina project told the commissioners that the updated plans for the 630 acres mean that the developers will require much less water than was stated in the original master plan. The original master plan had been approved by the commission in 2015. Graphic design can be used to visualize a development project like this.
Garrett Development now wants to bring in the necessary water on its own rather than proceed with an agreement that had been made with the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. An agreement like this is standard practice for such developments, although the recent vote exempts the 630 acres from the agreement.
Commissioner Debbie O’Malley had previously opposed similar requests from Santolina in the past. She voted in favor of this latest request because it is a better option than the other plans which would consume more water. She also feels that the recycling plant will be good for the community.
The Bernalillo County Commission voted in favor of the developer’s Level BII plan. This means 630 acres of the site’s 14,000 acres can be used for specific industrial uses. The master plan for the project was also amended so that the documents are consistent.
The developers, Garrett Development Corp., filed for the approvals primarily because of how the water strategy changed. A representative for the Santolina project told the commissioners that the updated plans for the 630 acres mean that the developers will require much less water than was stated in the original master plan. The original master plan had been approved by the commission in 2015. Graphic design can be used to visualize a development project like this.
Garrett Development now wants to bring in the necessary water on its own rather than proceed with an agreement that had been made with the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. An agreement like this is standard practice for such developments, although the recent vote exempts the 630 acres from the agreement.
Commissioner Debbie O’Malley had previously opposed similar requests from Santolina in the past. She voted in favor of this latest request because it is a better option than the other plans which would consume more water. She also feels that the recycling plant will be good for the community.