Blog
Aug 1, 2000
Planning and Zoning Committee hearing
Yes, we're still alive and well! We apologize for the lengthy time between updates and very much appreciate your patience with this process. I have said from the beginning that this project was going to teach me patience!!
Unfortunately, the County has delayed us yet again! Apparently this is not unusual and we have been told that if we are able to receive approval in nine months, we should be thrilled!
We attended the Planning and Zoning Committee hearing on July 27 and because of some "procedural mistakes" made by the committee, the County Attorney remanded it back to Planning and Zoning for a new hearing.
We have met all of the State and County requirements for subdivision, including water supply and quality however; some residents of Pecos (and therefore, also the members of the planning and zoning committee) are concerned about how other wells in the area will be impacted by our community's water use. We have hired a very well respected Geo-hydrologist, Jay Lazarus from Glorieta Geoscience Inc. to do additional testing and research on the outside impact to other wells in the area. We want to make sure that we have addressed every possible reason the County may have for denying our proposal before getting to the final hearing and also assure the residents of Pecos that their water will not be impacted.
We are also asking for a variance (density transfer) from the County's minimum 1-acre lot size. This is the main reason why we aren't able to provide lot prices at this time. We realize that many of you are anxiously awaiting even a "ballpark" number. Let us assure you that we are asking for the variance for smaller lots for the twin homes to keep costs as affordable as possible! We are planning to have 12 lots for twin homes (casitas) and 7 single-family home lots for sale as soon as we receive approval and the variance.
At this moment, it looks like our next meeting with the Planning and Zoning Committee will be on September 21 and with the County Board on October 10. Hopefully, everyone will be prepared to go forward at that time.
I (Bonnie) have been very busy with all the traveling between Minneapolis and Santa Fe lately. I have also been working on getting my home ready to sell so that I can make the move to the "Land of Enchantment".I have been hoping to get approval before moving, but I'm getting pretty tired of traveling back and forth and all of the delays, too! I have started looking at homes to rent in El Dorado, a subdivision approximately halfway between Santa Fe and Birds' property. I'm planning to rent until we can build the first "casita". Then, I will live in one unit and use the other "twin" as the model and office.
Please check out the new pictures from my last trip in August. I met Jessie Gilmer, our graphic designer and photographer, in Santa Fe. Jessie drove down from her home in Creede, CO to show me the first draft of the fabulous new Birds' brochure she designed! It's absolutely gorgeous and we can hardly wait to start using it in our marketing campaign!
That's all for now. Please keep us in your thoughts and send positive energy to help get us successfully through this lengthy approval process. We promise that the community will be worth the wait!!
