The Mundy Ranch has gained approval to move forward with a contentious 5,600-acre subdivision south of Chama.
The Rio Arriba County Commission approved the master plan for “Los Escondidos” Sept. 25 in Tierra Amarilla. The plan calls for 130 residences on 10-acre lots, a “dry” golf course, tennis courts, a clubhouse and an equestrian facility. It would sit near two other large subdivisions near Los Brazos — the Canyon Ridge and Ticonderoga developments — that have targeted wealthy out-of-towners.
The Commission postponed a vote on the plan at its regular meeting in July, but the developers were invited back Sept. 25 without having to compile any additional information. Commissioners and the public had many questions about the impacts the development could have on the environment, especially water resources, but the Commission acknowledged it was only approving the plan itself — many detailed studies on water and wildlife in the area will still be required before any building starts.
Ensenada resident Manuel Trujillo has been a vocal critic of the plan since it was brought before the County Planning and Zoning Committee July 9. He said he thinks the 25 or 30 wells that will be drilled to serve the subdivision could negatively impact the acequias downstream. He called acequias a cultural “icon” that must be preserved.
“It is more than a depression in the ground,” he said. “It is the oldest form of government in the United States.”
Acequias Norteñas President Medardo Sanchez agreed, saying acequias are the lifeblood of the community and urging the Commission not to make a decision without getting more information first.
Don Diego Gonzales, a hydrogeologist who presented the plan to the Commission, said he will make all his findings available for public review. He said the Mundy Ranch did not want to invest in expensive studies before the initial plan was approved, however. He said the data he has now is “sparse,” but he is confident the development’s impact on water in the area will be minimal. He said proof will come in the next stages.
“That’s our burden,” he said. “We have to deliver the goods.”
Commissioner Elias Coriz said he wants to ensure Los Escondidos won’t impact other wells and acequias, and Gonzales’ studies will be necessary for the project to progress.
“I want some assurances that it is gonna happen,” he said.
The County plans to sign a contract with an independent hydrologist to look over Gonzales’s reports, and Sanchez said he would be studying them, as well.
Coriz made the motion to approve the plan, but included in his motion was an order to bring all subdivisions before the Commission. Where Los Escondidos would have gone forward without further public hearings after the plan was approved, now the Commission will examine each phase in a public forum, along with other subdivisions that would normally have been guided administratively by the Planning and Zoning Department.
“From here on out, we start holding ourselves accountable,” Coriz said.
Sanchez said he was satisfied with the Commission’s action regarding the plan.
“The concerns of the community were expressed,” he said.
He also said he looks forward to seeing the documentation Gonzales produces and following the project as each phase goes before the Commission.
“We’ll be here,” Sanchez said.