Vision and Objective of Des Montes Neighborhood Association

Our vision of the Lower Des Montes Neighborhood is that of a rural community which continues and encourages the traditional residential use of the land along with compatible farming and ranching activity. Central to this vision is the espiritu of the land which includes open spaces, rural atmosphere and natural beauty of place.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AND ACTION ITEMS

I. Enhance residential use of the land

A. Preserve adequate clean water sources.

1. Develop or adopt in conjunction with county / state officials, regulations to preserve and conserve potable water sources.

2. Develop an educational program to tell our residents of these regulations.

3. Encourage water conservation with a LDMNA developed educational program.

B. Limit commercial activity

1. Establish a land use regulation that limits commercial activity to cottage industries.

2. Develop an educational program to tell our residents of this regulation.

C. Maintain a clean, litter free community

1. Establish an active team of community volunteers which will periodically, on specific schedules, visit each public area Lower Des Montes to pick up and dispose of

trash and other debris.

2. Develop an educational program to encourage a litter free community.

D. Encourage reasonable control of neighborhood animals.

1. Develop an educational program on animal control in the neighborhood.

E. Control light pollution

1. Develop, with Kit Carson Electric, a project to shade existing pole/building mounted mercury vapor night lights.

F. Promote clean air

1. Establish within the neighborhood a shared objective of eliminating the use burn barrels.

2. Develop an educational program to tell residents of this objective.

G. Encourage safe firearm usage.

1. Research the existing ordinances on firearm use and make this information available to residents.

II. Encourage and support ranching and farming activity

A. Protect and preserve acequias

1. Develop a formal program to support the efforts of parcientes and ditch association to maintain and preserve the acequias.

2. Develop an educational program to tell residents of this program.

B. Promote a farmer's market

1. Research the farmer's market possibilities. Make known the opportunity to use the commercial food preparation kitchen at the Taos County Economic Development Park.

2. Develop an educational program around these possibilities

C. Encourage diversity in farming

1. Research local, county and state resources to determine diverse types of farming that can be pursued in Lower Des Montes.

2. Gather and disseminate a developed traditional and alternative farming practices pamphlet.

D. Encourage perma-culture home gardening

1. Establish a standing committee to gather information on perma-culture home and gardening practices which involves water conservation practices.

2. Gather and disseminate this information.

III. Preserve open spaces

A. Conserve view sheds

1. Identify and record on maps specific view sheds that should be conserved to protect the open spaces important to our neighborhood.

2. Identify specific methods for conserving view sheds, such as protective covenants and conservation easements and undertake an educational program to teach the community how to use these methods.

B. Protect existing tree stands and encourage xeriscape tree planting

1. Form a committee to locate and describe tree stands that require protection and recommend specific actions.

2. Develop the necessary tactics to protect these tree stands

C. Protect natural drainage (arroyos) from erosion and pollution

1. Develop in conjunction with county planners a plan to preserve natural drainage from erosion and pollution.

D. Encourage conservation easement

1. The LDMNA shall function as an information gathering source and contact point between interested members and the Taos Land Trust similar organizations in land conservation and protection.

IV. Promote neighborhood safety and security

A. Initiate a neighborhood crime watch

1. Identify sections of the community who wish to organize a crime watch

B. Complete an accurate addressing system.

1. Form a committee to work with the county to bring the addressing system up to acceptable standards.

C. Promote fire protection awareness

1. Work with local fire departments to collect and disseminate information regarding fire prevention and protection of lives and property in the event of fire.

2. Sponsor periodic educational programs, in conjunction with the appropriate authorities, to increase fire protection and prevention awareness.

D. Introduce informational presentations

1. The board of directors, independently or when prompted by interested residents, shall identify and consistent with the vision, goals and objectives of the Association.

E. Request road improvements

1. Monitor conditions of roads and make specific recommendations to appropriate agency for needed repair, maintenance and signs for traffic control.

V. Regulate land use

A. Review and make appropriate use of state/ county subdivision regulations

1. Designate individuals who will agree to review the regulations and determine how the association can effectively use them .

2. Ask the County Planning Dept. for a summary of these regulations.

3. Offer comments to the Planning Dept.

4. Adopt the county subdivision regulations consistent with our vision statement.

B. Create appropriate density ratios

1. Develop density ratios appropriate to the vision statement, so that the concentration of buildings is balanced by open space.

C. Encourage enforcement of building codes

1. Pursue a campaign to impress the County Commissioners of the critical need for adequate staffing in the permitting and inspection departments

D. Require manufactured and mobile homes to meet the same site development criteria as constructed houses.

1. Develop or adopt in conjunction with county/state officials, regulatory criteria for siting and installing manufactured homes that are consistent with those of constructed homes.

VI. Encourage awareness of the espiritu of the land

A. Share stories of the early development of this place

1. Gather and share oral histories from long time residents and other reliable historical sources, regarding the early development of Des Montes.

B. Celebrate our pride in living in this community

1. Consider for appropriate media publication significant neighborhood events or accomplishment by members of the community.

2. Publish a newsletter.

C. Encourage community projects.

1. Organize projects and events to promote community spirit, encourage getting acquainted with our neighbors, and support those who give valuable services promote our association and its vision, goals, and objectives.