The Bernalillo County Planning Commission is expected to vote Wednesday on whether to approve a massive development on Albuquerque’s West Mesa.
The proposed Santolina development would spread out across 21 square miles of sand dunes just off Interstate-40, about 5 miles west of the Rio Grande.
Juan Reynosa with the Southwest Organizing Project says many people are opposed to the plan because it would divert water away from acequias.
“It threatens the culture and livelihood of farming in the south valley,” Reynosa said. “For them to take away our green belt just to build another development doesn’t seem right at all.”
The project would be a boon to the construction industry but taxpayers would also be burdened with the cost of roads and sewer lines.
If approved the proposal will go before Bernalillo County Commissioners for consideration.
