Stefani Lord
R- Bernalillo and Torrance
District 22

PO Box 131
Sandia Park, NM 87047

ATTN: Mayor Jake Burton
Village Hall
12 Camino Municipal
Tijeras New Mexico 87059

RE: Request to Postpone March 30 Zoning Hearing for Torres Trail and North 14 – Public Notice, Process, and Infrastructure Concerns

Dear Mayor Bruton,

I am following up on our recent conversation regarding the proposed zoning change for the commercial parcel near Torres Trail and North Highway 14.

Since that discussion, my office has continued to receive a significant number of calls, emails, and messages from residents across the East Mountains who are deeply concerned about the clearing of the property and the potential for large-scale commercial development at this location. These concerns are not isolated; they are widespread and growing.

Based on our meeting, I understand that the upcoming March 30 meeting will focus on rezoning this parcel to C-2 (Large Commercial). However, moving forward with a zoning change of this magnitude without ensuring the public is fully informed and engaged puts the process ahead of the people it impacts.

It is critical that residents fully understand what C-2 zoning actually allows, because this is not a minor administrative change; it is a major shift in the future of this corridor.

C-2 zoning is specifically intended for large-scale commercial development that serves not just the local community but also a broader regional population. It is designed for higher-traffic uses, generating 100+ vehicle trips per day, particularly when developments include fuel stations, restaurants, or lodging.

Unlike the current zoning, which limits development to small, community-scale businesses, C-2 allows for buildings up to approximately 20,000 square feet, and potentially multiple large commercial structures across the full 58-acre parcel. This opens the door to a level of development that is fundamentally different in scale and impact from what currently exists in the area.

Under C-2 zoning, the types of uses that can be allowed include:
– Gas stations and fuel centers
– Hotels and motels
– Chain restaurants and drive-through establishments
– Large retail or “big box” style businesses
– Convenience stores and auto-related services
– Other high-traffic commercial uses

Because of this, approving C-2 zoning is not simply a procedural step. It represents a clear and permanent shift:
– From local-serving businesses to regional commercial draw
– From a low-traffic rural corridor to a high-traffic commercial corridor
– From the existing rural character of the East Mountains to a highway commercial strip environment

Once this zoning change is approved, the ability to prevent these types of developments becomes significantly more limited.

Equally concerning is the suggestion that public input may be restricted only to what has been described as “legitimate C-2 zoning issues.” Zoning hearings are intended to allow public comment on the real-world impacts of a proposal, including:
– Traffic and safety
– Water availability and environmental concerns
– Economic impact on existing local businesses
– Preservation of community character

Limiting public comment to narrow or undefined “technical” zoning issues is not standard practice, undermines transparency, and raises serious concerns about whether the process is being conducted fairly. At a minimum, it prevents residents from meaningfully participating in decisions that directly affect their homes, businesses, and quality of life.

Residents deserve a full, open, and transparent process, especially when the decision at hand has the potential to permanently alter the character of the East Mountains.

At this time, I have not seen adequate public notice regarding this proposal. There is no clearly visible signage on the property, and information regarding the zoning change, meeting details, and public participation process appears limited or difficult for residents to access. Given the scale of what is being considered, this level of outreach is insufficient.

In reviewing the Village’s Planning and Zoning webpage, I also noted that the information available to the public appears outdated and incomplete. The page currently lists meeting information from 2024 and does not clearly reflect current meeting dates, agendas, or minutes. While I understand meetings are continuing to occur, this lack of accurate and centralized information makes it difficult for residents to stay informed or meaningfully participate in the process. For a zoning change of this magnitude, the Village should ensure that all relevant information, including meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, and participation guidelines, is clearly posted, current, and easily accessible to the public. Clear, accessible, and timely public notice is essential to ensure compliance with New Mexico’s Open Meetings Act and to maintain public trust in the process.

I strongly urge you to postpone the March 30 meeting to allow for proper public notice and participation. Residents deserve a fair opportunity to understand:
– What C-2 zoning allows
– What specific uses are being considered
– How they can provide input or formally object
– What the appeal process is
– Procedures for compliance with the Open Meeting Act

This should be done through clear communication, including posted notice on the property, website updates, and community outreach.

In addition, there are serious infrastructure and environmental concerns that should be addressed before any zoning change is considered.

Water availability and safety must be fully evaluated. I recently spoke with the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), and a second round of PFAS testing has been conducted on the Village of Tijeras wells. These results are pending. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Village will be required to install advanced filtration systems.

PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals”, are known to persist in the environment and the human body. Long-term exposure has been linked to serious health risks, including cancer, immune system suppression, hormone disruption, and developmental effects. This is not a theoretical concern; it is a public health issue.

These filtration systems are expensive and will require significant investment by the Village, regardless of whether this development ultimately uses that water source. A project of this scale could also increase demand on an already limited water supply.

For these reasons, this zoning decision should not move forward until:
– Updated PFAS test results have been received
– Filtration costs are understood
– Long-term water availability is evaluated through a recent study

Traffic impacts must also be addressed. Development of this size will significantly affect Highway 14, the I-40 interchange, and the surrounding roadways. This includes increased congestion, safety risks, and additional demands on law enforcement and emergency services.

At a minimum, the Village should coordinate with NMDOT to conduct a traffic impact study and evaluate:
– Road widening or turn lane requirements
– Signalization or roundabout installation
– Impacts to freeway access points
– Associated infrastructure costs

Equally important is the economic impact on existing local businesses. The East Mountains community has long supported and built small, locally owned businesses. Introducing large commercial or chain development without engaging these stakeholders risks undermining those businesses and altering the character of the community.

I strongly encourage the Village to engage directly with local business owners along the Highway 14 corridor before moving forward with any zoning change.

Finally, I remain concerned about how public participation will be handled moving forward. I have been informed that public comment may be limited to “legitimate C-2 zoning issues,” yet there are no clearly defined, publicly accessible guidelines outlining what that means.

Given that the Village of Tijeras operates independently of Bernalillo County in this matter, the rules governing planning and zoning meetings must be clearly defined, transparent, and fairly applied. Residents deserve to understand their rights and have a meaningful opportunity to be heard.

This proposal impacts not only Tijeras but also the broader East Mountain communities, including Cedar Crest, Sandia Park, and Paa-Ko, as well as the character of the Turquoise Trail corridor. Decisions of this magnitude require transparency, due diligence, and genuine public engagement.

For these reasons, I strongly urge you to postpone the March 30 meeting to ensure proper notice, full public participation, and compliance with the Open Meetings Act.

Given the level of concern I am hearing from residents across the East Mountains, this issue will continue to receive significant public attention.

Please take these concerns seriously and ensure that the process moving forward reflects the level of care and transparency that this community deserves.

I will continue to monitor this issue closely and plan to attend the upcoming meeting.

Sincerely,



Representative Stefani Lord
New Mexico House District 22
stefani.lord@nmlegis.gov

CC:
Tijeras Village Council
Planning & Zoning Commission
Village Clerk

Email sent to the following people:

Mayor Burton: mayorbruton@tijerasnm.gov
Planning and Zoning: NO EMAIL LISTED
Village Clerk: clerk@tijerasnm.gov
Village Council Members:  
Matt Armenta: marmenta@tijerasnm.gov 
Ernest Barnes: ebarnes@tijerasnm.gov 
Yvette Garcia: ygarcia@tijerasnm.gov 
Jonathan Ortiz: jortiz@tijerasnm.gov