City would add 7,000 acres under deal
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Agreement would dismantle city/county zoning authority, limit more S.F. annexations for 20 years
3/31/2008 - 3/29/08
The city of Santa Fe's southwestern boundaries are likely to have a smoother edge in five years under an agreement by city and county officials to add 7,000 acres within city limits.
The annexation plan is part of a proposed settlement between Santa Fe County, the city and a number of landowners. It would put to rest arguments over which government has jurisdiction in areas of new and existing development along the urban-area fringe.
Although a judge still must sign the document before six pending lawsuits over the issues are dismissed, attorneys say they have reached consensus on most points.
The deal would bring into city limits most of the land east of N.M. 599 and north of Interstate 25, dismantle a city/county zoning authority and limit additional annexations by the city for 20 years.
The County Commission approved a version of the agreement in January, and the City Council followed by making what the city attorney called "minor changes" and voting on the settlement last week.
Mayor David Coss said the area around Airport Road, home to about 10,000 people, would be most affected by the agreement to enlarge the city limits.
"The southwest sector of the community has not been well served by the piecemeal annexation process, so this annexation plan will present the city and county with opportunities to bring the community together and upgrade infrastructure," he said.
Water and sewer service, road maintenance, emergency service such as ambulances and firefighting, and police protection will influence the timeline of the annexations, with public safety a primary factor, Coss said.
The mayor and Police Chief Eric Johnson have proposed to add 45 officers over the next three years using a combination of revenue sources not yet approved by the entire City Council. That number took into account growth, but it will need more discussion as annexation is pursued, according to city spokeswoman Laura Banish.
One area of the settlement that appears undecided is how the city police and county Sheriff's Department will phase in the change.
The city-approved settlement calls for the county to continue its present level of law enforcement in the checkerboard area where deputies have joint jurisdiction and says that agreement could continue for up to three years following annexation.
County Sheriff Greg Solano said Monday's call from a reporter was the first he had heard of the deal. Solano leaves office in 2010 because of term limits, but said he was concerned that the County Commission was committing the Sheriff's Department without his input. He plans to push for further negotiation on that part of the document.
Overall, however, Solano said annexation would be good for both his department and city police.
"If the city annexes it and they handle the calls, it will allow my deputies to concentrate more on outside the city limits," he said.
The County Commission's agenda April 26 will possibly include discussion of the settlement, said county spokesman Stephen Ulibarri.
County Commissioner Paul Campos said the agreement simplifies contentious relationships between the city and the county.
"It says, this is yours, this is ours. No more annexation outside this area, no more (Extraterritorial Zoning Authority). It reduces friction points and improves the quality of life," he said.
Resolution of the court cases would mean a step forward for a proposed development called Las Soleras, between Interstate 25 and Cerrillos Road. It includes about 400 acres of land owned by a number of families that have been combined into one project by Albuquerque developer John Mahoney.
Karl Sommer, an attorney who represents Las Soleras, will guide his client through a fresh application to the city for permission to build an estimated 2,500 houses on 150 acres, along with a 200-acre commercial tract and 40 acres under option with Presbyterian Healthcare Services.
Contact Julie Ann Grimm at 986-3017 or jgrimm@sfnewmexican.com.