Minutes For October 27, 2005

Des Montes Neighborhood Association Meeting October 27, 2005A good turn out of the community attended a meeting on Oct. 27 in a show of interest and support as we approach the task of developing land use regulations which will protect and preserve the Des Montes area in the future. Taos County officials were present to explain the proposed ordinance 2005-10 which will come before the county board on November 7. Substantial support exists for creating a process to allow neighbors to have a say in how this area will develop. It is vitally important for citizens here to clarify the needs of the community, as presently we have no jurisdiction at all, and no strict limitations in place. County Commissioner of District IV, Nick Jaramillo explained that Ordinance 1997-4 has many loopholes that we need to address if the Des Montes area is to remain a residential and agricultural community. Des Montes is an unincorporated town and there is no legislature in place to prevent condos from coming in.The proposed condominiums on Hondo Seco Road may have opened the door for more development of Des Montes. A work force is needed to gather input from the people who live here, and then put into writing precise restrictions based upon the desires of our community. Alan Vigil, Taos County Planning Director, stressed that we cannot stop growth, but we can hope to control growth to best meet our needs by establishing a legal document which will give the County Board “standing ground to prevent over-development”. Standards to govern issues such as population density, infrastructure, water policy, liquid waste (septic and sewer), shared wells, architectural guidelines regarding building height and size, and setbacks from roads and neighbor’s property lines need to be specified in writing in a legal format. We need to craft the language that will protect our needs here in Des Montes, otherwise the County Planning Board will have no recourse but to approve development. Gerald Nichols, Taos County Assessor, explained reassessment and future tax base “reshuffling” as a result of development and land use. The 3% cap remains in effect except for those undergoing rezoning or upon the sale of property. However, reassessment is coming to us all anyway. We are now appraised at only 50%, but the Governor of New Mexico is stating he wants statewide reassessment which will result in taxes to reflect 85% of resale value. Nichols also shared maps and aerial photographs to clearly define the Des Montes area for a survey of property owners in Des Montes. Gary Ferguson, a key member of the Upper Las Colonias Neighborhood Association, was present to answer questions about how that community went about creating regulations to govern development. Surveys to gather information from the community, discuss the needs and desires of the people, hash it out, then set the specifics down and adopt the regulations and bring it before the County Planning Board requires commitment.Taos County does not want to restrict property owners. County officials want us to let them know what we want and how we want our community to develop in the future. We now have ineffective land use regulations which need updating. Effective land use regulations need to be “on the books” soon, before more requests for development permits come in. Immediate steps can be taken. Write letters to Taos County Commissioners, 105 Albright, Taos, to support public review of plans and special use permits for development and condos. Be at the Taos County Board Meeting on November 7, to show support and urge Commissioners to pass Ordinance 2005-10.Respectfully submitted, Kathleen McGinty

Minutes from Meeting October 14, 2005

Present at the LDMNA Board meeting held 10/11/05 at 6:30 p.m. at Arroyos del Norte elementary school were the following board members:
Kate Duffy, Mandy Stapleford, Jim Sanborn, Linda Moscarella, Kitty Bensusan, Diane Grant, Andy Montoya, Nancy Berk
Old business:
1) There was discussion on whether LDMNA can change its name to simply "DMNA" but first, there must be some exploration of where upper Des Montes is located.
2) There was further discussion on the status of enforcement of violations at the equestrian center. The plan is to:
a) find out the current legal status from Tom & Nick;
b) write the county requesting that enforcement be expedited;
c) get people to show up during the enforcement process.
3) The neighborhood email list is in the process of being updated.
4) After the annual meeting, bank signatories need to be changed.
Treasurer's report stated that $85 was collected at the annual meeting, and the probable balance in LDMNA's account is $333.62.
5) The board will be able to use the elementary school for meetings for the remainder of 2006.
6) The meeting calendar was set for 2005-6 as follows:
Board Meetings: (Bi-monthly, third Tuesday, 6:30pm, Arroyos del Norte library)
>
> Dec 13, 2005
> Jan 17, 2006
> Mar 21, 2006
> May 16, 2006
> Aug 15, 2006
> Oct 17, 2006
> Dec 19, 2006
7) The first land use organizing meeting will be held 10/27/05 also at Arroyos del Norte library.
8) The highway cleanup for the neighborhood will be held 5/20/06 (Saturday before Memorial Day weekend).
9) The annual meeting will be held 10/27/06.
10) Mandy will call Quinton Woods to followup on timers on the school lights in order to follow the spirit of the Dark Skies Act, which has been adopted by Taos County. [Update: Jim spoke with Mr. Woods Oct. 18:
light timers are on a workorder, and he is working with State EID on a filter for the septic system.]
New Business
1) There was extensive discussion of the Board's position on the proposed development of condos on the Hondo-Seco road within LDMNA boundaries. The developer has apparently received EID approval for the septic system. The Board supports the County's effort to require special use permits for commercial use for this type of development, and does not support this project due to the high density of the proposal (6 individual condominum buildings on one acre).
2) The Board takes the position that the proposed condo project is a primary example of the importance of developing a zoning overlay for Des Montes, following the example of upper Las Colonias. Further discussion followed about the amount of work involved, based on the Las Colonias experience in writing and getting approval for it's zoning overlay.
3) The proposed new law before the Taos County Commissioners, which is still in the public comment stage, will probably require that the condo developer obtain a special use permit for the project. The voting by the commisioners on the passage of the new law could take place as soon as Nov. 7. The Board will encourage all residents of LDMNA to write letters/postcards to the commissioners supporting the new ordinance.
Mandy and Linda will write a letter and develop a petition for signature during the upcoming garage sale in support of the proposed new law.
4) As a preliminary step in developing subzone regulations. Linda will contact Nick Jaramillo or the planning department to see who she can work with from the Hondo neighborhood association regarding the boundary between the two neighborhoods.
5) The upcoming neighborhood garage sale was discussed. Seven households have said they will participate.
The meeting was adjourned approximately 8:30 p.m.
[Thanks to Nancy for preparing these meeting minutes]

Hello Linda,
Kudos go to Kate for our first annual Des Montes Neighborhood Yard Sale. It was a great event indeed. Erin and I sold a bunch of stuff and converted it into a new bed for Lily (thanks Diane!).
Several people wanted to take the "petitions" around for more signatures, I plan to pick most of them up tomorrow. We should have more for the Land Use Plan organizing meeting next week.
We need to get organized for this meeting! I am thinking of:
1. targeted invitations to key people we want to participate - thinking about the geography & diversity or Des Montes.
2. advertising (taos news, radio stations, local signs) - I think not postcards yet, pretty expensive and we should wait until we have something for neighbors to react to.
3. speakers - someone from Upper Las Colonias who can speak to HOW they got this done, what it took, and what they learned (would do different). Perhaps someone from Tune Dr. as well? And Nick to speak on the County perspective and what we need to produce.
4. a draft plan / timeline for doing this work. Also proposed roles for working members, advisory/feedback folks.
Can we get this done for next Thursday? We've got the school library lined up.
Need to get advertising going ASAP.
Ready?
-Jim

Sample Letter to County Commissioners

Oct. 14, 2005
To the County Land Use regulation 1997-4 to require special use permits for multi-family dwellings, condominiums and development on wetlands.

We wante to be informed and have input into condominium development in our neighborhoods, as we have now for commercial uses and subdivisions. We want public hearings and review by the Planning Commission of developments which depart radically from the neighborhood usage, such as the proposed development of six free standing units on one acre at 221 Hondo-Seco Rd.

Please pass Ordinance 2005-10 as soon as possible.

Thank you,

I just wanted to say to everyone who worked to put this neighborhood garage sale together that I thought it was brilliantly organized and executed. I can't say I made a lot of money, but I made some progress cleaning out the old (to me) and making room for the new. And, I met a lot of neighbors. Great outreach! I told people about the condo loophole, and I got some signatures on the petition. All and all, a good day for building community.
So thanks to you all. And, is there a plan for what to do with the petitions. Should they be gathered together and set to the commissioners? Or should we all send our own?
Linda

Per tonight's board meeting, here is our meeting calendar through
2006.

Board Meetings: (Bi-monthly, third Tuesday, 6:30pm, Arroyos del Norte
School Library) Dec 13, 2005 Jan 17, 2006 Mar 21, 2006 May 16, 2006
Aug 15, 2006 Oct 17, 2006 Dec 19, 2006

Highway Cleanup: May 20, 2006

We didn't talk about the highway cleanup day,
but this is the Saturday before Memorial Day weekend.

Annual Meeting: Sep 19, 2006

Land Use Organizing meeting: Oct 27, 2005

-Jim