Carlsbad City Council approves controversial La Huerta rezone [Carlsbad Current-Argus, N.M.]

Feb. 29--CARLSBAD -- In a four to three vote, Carlsbad City Councilors approved a highly debated issue to rezone a 15.4 acre tract of land in the La Huerta area north of Cherry Lane and Callaway Drive from rural residential to a residential district.

The zone change will accommodate higher-end condos built by Stockbridge.

Following a lengthy discussion at a November, 2011, meeting, the matter was initially tabled and city staff was asked to look into and address issues raised by residents of the area, including population density, flood plain, infrastructure and traffic that would accompany development of the area.

City Planning Supervisor Stephanie Shumsky went before council at their regular meeting on Tuesday and presented the results of the studies:

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Density: Under current zoning, 48 to 49 units are allowed and the proposed R2 district would allow for 178 units.

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Flood plain and drainage: According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency flood insurance maps, the area is outside of the 100-year flood zone. All flood water gets caught in a channel in the area before going into the CID canal and then overflows into Sandy Lane; however, the study suggests that development in the area will not affect, and could possibly improve, the storm drain runoff.

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Infrastructure: According to the studies, the current sewer and water facilities are adequate to sustain development. The city has also

proposed a new waterline in the area to improve water pressure from 60 pounds per square inch to 65 psi.

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Traffic: Traffic studies showed that currently there are 3,500 vehicle trips per day in the area, which Shumsky said is an acceptable level, and with R2 zoning, it would increase to 10,000 vehicles, which is unacceptable. However, with the proposed city project on Callaway Drive, traffic levels would be brought back to an acceptable level.

When asked for discussion on the agenda item, Ken Wilson, an attorney from Roswell said Stockbridge is "not a fly-by-night outfit", adding that they are here "for the long haul" and have invested money into the Carlsbad community.

However, several residents who live on Sandy Lane and in the surrounding area voiced strong opinions against the development, saying it will diminish the rural integrity of the area.

"I have a strong feeling about the property in question," said resident Nancy Beard. "The flavor of La Huerta has always been just that it was unique, wonderful."

Beard said the rural area coaxed children to participate in 4-H and FFA and allowed them to show animals in the county fair.

"It was a godsend for this town, and those children's way of life," she said. "This development can be put anywhere else."

Other issues brought forth by five Carlsbad residents included: funding, at-capacity schools in the area, decreased property values, increased traffic, drainage, flooding and other safety concerns.

"I don't think you're taking into consideration how badly things are going to be if you continue to try to build in this area," said Roby Arnold, a Sandy Lane resident.

The council was almost split on the issue, approving it with a vote of four to three. Councilors Judi Waters, Sandra Nunley and Janell Whitlock voted against the zone change.

Also under new business, the city's governing body unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding and joined the Eddy County Commission in supporting the Nuclear and Industrial Advocacy Committee. In the same agenda item, they approved the submittal of a request for proposals to hire a lobbyist for the local nuclear and energy industries.

"A memo of understanding has been passed by the Eddy County Commission already with the idea that we will, in conjunction with the commission, work to hire an advocate for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (the nuclear waste repository south of Carlsbad) and nuclear industries in Eddy County," said Councilor Dick Doss, who is also on the committee.

According to the evaluation criteria for the lobbyist, the person chosen must have experience in the nuclear field as someone who has worked in the field or has been an advocate for a nuclear industry.

Other criteria include: experience in state of New Mexico issues, effectiveness of service plan, cost and quality of references.

"The next step (after the item was approved) is to send the RFP out to a specific number of people. We've had inquiries coming already," said Doss.

The Nuclear and Industrial Advocacy Committee will review the applications and make a recommendation to the council and commission, and each body will discuss and vote, in separate meetings, before a lobbyist is hired.

At the beginning of Tuesday's meeting, Dr. Sammi Uhrig of the Desert Willow Veterinary Services was recognized for her services through five low-cost clinics she's hosted over the past few months, vaccinating over 1,200 animals in the midst of a rabies outbreak in Eddy County.

Manager of Noah's Ark Animal Shelter Angela Cary, Carlsbad Animal Control officers, Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway and Councilor and Mayor Pro-tem Wesley Carter all thanked Uhrig for her "generosity and hard work."

Carter was also recognized at the meeting, which was his last as a councilor, as an Outstanding Citizen for his commitment to Carlsbad. He will not be seeking re-election for the Ward 3 council seat in the upcoming March 6 election, but will remain as the chair of the Carlsbad Development Committee, Janway announced.

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