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]