P&Z agenda and packet information for next Tuesday's public hearing are now available:

The agenda for the meeting has been published.  The Minor Subdivision application for 251 Hawkeye Road along with other documents pertaining to the public hearing are also available. 

The proposed changes to two ordinances are now available:

The proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance are posted at the town website's Ordinances & Resolutions page as are proposed changes to the Subdivision Ordinance.  I have also placed copies on Drive in a new folder. 

Land use in the news 01/30/2014

From the January 30  Mountain View Telegraph:

• Omitted from last week: Goals can be "more refined";
• New health center to bring jobs;
• Solar power could cut bills for Moriarty;
• Fees on utilities approved;
• 500-acre site will be thinned to cut fire risk;
• Opinion: Support funding for education reforms;
• Coming up: Los Vecinos master plan meetings Feb. 10 & 12;
• Letters: Accusations without foundation; Give up the back room shenanigans; Let's make things perfectly clear.

[The MVT is published weekly in paper form and delivered with The Albuquerque Journal on Thursdays.  You may also read news, sports, opinions and letters to the editor, obituaries, legals, and classifieds online at the website. If you're reading the online version, don't forget to check the links to shorter topics such as the calendar, upcoming events, milestones, news briefs, police reports and this weekend notes which are interspersed in the news headlines.]

The Edgewood Town Council agenda for February 5 is available:

The agenda can be viewed and downloaded from the website.  I have also placed a copy on Drive. 

Land use in the news 01/29/2014

The Independent:  January 29-February 4

• School district forges ahead with closure plans (page 1);
• Three council seats, four candidates in Tijeras race (page 1); 
• Lawmakers seek a plethora of amendments as session begins (page 3);
• News from the New Mexico Roundhouse--various subjects (page 3);
• School closures "decision was not arbitrary, subjective or political" (Guest Opinion by Tom Sullivan Superintendent Moriarty-Edgewood School District page 6);
• We can't make you read this-but you need to (Editorial page 7);
• Boy Scouts are violating zoning (Letter on page 7);
• Voting is underway for municipal elections (page 8);
• Town of Edgewood paid Advertisement of the General Obligation Bond Election (page 8); [This version specifies particular roads.]
• Legal notices (page 14) The Town of Edgewood published notices for two public hearings:
• On February 4, 2014 the Planning & Zoning Commission will hear a request for a minor subdivision creating three lots from 20 acres.  The land is located at 251 Hawkeye Road. 
• On February 5, 2014 the Governing Body will hold a public hearing at which it will consider adoption of the Edgewood Commons Master Plan for Section 16. 

[The Independent is locally owned and operated.  It is published weekly and appears on Wednesdays; the front page of the current edition appears on its website.  The price for an email subscription is reasonable, and I've found the service reliable and convenient.  The e-version includes ads and legal notices in full color with the added benefit of adjustable print size. You can also purchase a regular mail subscription or pick up a single copy for fifty cents at most local businesses if you prefer the paper and ink version.]

Update on Portal contents and sidebar information for e-mail subscribers:

I've had requests to provide an update of information posted in the sidebars of the Portal because only daily posts are included with e-mail notifications or sharing via social media.  A summary of the current layout follows the page break.  I have also added a new page which describes the blog and its contents.

Audio for the Tuesday January 21, 2014 P&Z meeting has been posted at the new ToE website

A link to the audio appears on this page. A player is embedded onsite which permits listening to the files without installing an app or downloading. 

New sidebar added:

Because I continue to receive requests for information about the Town of Edgewood Resolution 2014-01, I decided to place the information in the upper left sidebar so that the links aren't buried under subsequent posts.  I will add a link to the minutes of the 01/18/2014 special council meeting when they are available.

More council meeting audio is now available on Drive (post has been edited)

I've uploaded the audio for the special meeting of the Edgewood Town Council which took place at Edgewood Elementary School on January 11, 2014. I have also added the audio of the regular council meeting of January 15, 2014.  [Edited on Jan. 25 to add: If you have difficulty with opening the files these instructions may help.  Feel free to contact me if the instructions don't work for you.  I've held off installing an audio player on the blog in the hope that the town will begin posting meeting audios.  This week's P&Z meeting is now available at the town website, and I will ask that the special meeting audio be added as well.]

Land use in the news 01/23/2014

From the January 23  Mountain View Telegraph:

• School district pushes ahead with closures;
• Edgewood Town Council OK's chamber contract;
• Vote opposes closure of elementary school;
• News Briefs: Udall strives for funding for PILT;
• Letters: Dire need for new animal shelter; Church's good works merit praise.
• Opinion: State needs capital spending reform. NM State Senator Pete Campos.

[The MVT is published weekly in paper form and delivered with The Albuquerque Journal on Thursdays.  You may also read news, sports, opinions and letters to the editor, obituaries, legals, and classifieds online at the website. If you're reading the online version, don't forget to check the links to shorter topics such as the calendar, upcoming events, milestones, news briefs, police reports and this weekend notes which are interspersed in the news headlines.]

Land use in the news 01/22/2014

The Independent:  January 22-28 [Remember: e-subs roll over in January!]

• Torrance County Fire department changes: "This is all you" (page 1);
• Edgewood says school board did not "communicate honestly and openly", calls for formation of its own school district (page 2); 
• U.S. PILT funds may be renewed (page 2);
• Prescribed burn postponed (page 3);
• Santa Fe County Commissioner Robert Anaya on school closures (page 6);
• Mountain Musing: What to watch for at the Legislature (page 6);
• Town of Edgewood paid Advertisement of the General Obligation Bond Election (page 8); [This version specifies particular roads.]
• Drought help (page 9);
• Legal notices (page 14): The Town of Edgewood published second notices for two public hearings; 
• On February 4, 2014 the Planning & Zoning Commission will hear a request for a minor subdivision creating three lots from 20 acres.  The land is located at 251 Hawkeye Road. 
• On February 5, 2014, the Governing Body will hold a public hearing at which it will consider adoption of the Edgewood Commons Master Plan for Section 16. 
• The town has also published an amended Election Resolution which calls out the specific roads in one of the General Obligation Bond questions which will appear on the March 4, 2014 ballot.

[The Independent is locally owned and operated.  It is published weekly and appears on Wednesdays; the front page of the current edition appears on its website.  The price for an email subscription is reasonable, and I've found the service reliable and convenient.  The e-version includes ads and legal notices in full color with the added benefit of adjustable print size. You can also purchase a regular mail subscription or pick up a single copy for fifty cents at most local businesses if you prefer the paper and ink version.]

Preliminary versions of ToE Resolution 2014-01

I requested and received two draft versions of the resolution from the town clerk.  One is the draft prepared by the town and provided to the town council prior to its special meeting of January 18.  The other document is a substitute resolution proposed by Councilor John Abrams.  That document bears the clerk's handwritten note of a change which was needed before the clause could be inserted into the final version.  The final document bearing the signatures of the mayor and the town clerk appears to consist primarily of the official draft into which Councilor Abrams' "now therefore..." clause was inserted, although the tone of the final version is somewhat less strident than the first draft. 

March 4, 2014 municipal election information for Edgewood

The town has published election information on its website for the March 4, 2014 municipal election.  This year's election includes two general obligation bond questions. The amended brochure describing the two bond questions is available at the town website. Copies of the information are also available on Drive in a new folder created for the 2014 Municipal Election.

The closure of Egewood Elementary is the subject of the first ToE Resolution of 2014

The text of Resolution 2014-01 can be read and downloaded from the town website. I have also placed a copy on Drive. 

Current Town Ordinances

I've updated the folder on Drive which contains current town ordinances.  The Open Space and Trails and the Ethics ordinances are not yet available, but I hope to add them soon.  You may also view and download the documents at the official town website's Ordinances & Resolutions page. 

The 2013 Council Minutes archive has been updated

The folder on Drive containing Council Minutes for 2013 has been updated, and now contains draft minutes for most of the meetings for last year with the possible exception of one or two budget workshops. 

The new Town of Edgewood website is now available

The long promised new website was turned on earlier this week. Councilors Sherry Abraham and Chuck Ring are acting as webmasters. The front page features a slideshow and numerous pull-down menus as well as a useful sitemap link at the bottom of the page. The town paid approximately $12,000 for the package which was designed by Civic Plus, a company located in Manhattan Kansas.    

Special Council Meeting Saturday regarding Edgewood Elementary

The agenda for Saturday's special meeting of the Edgewood Town council has been published.  The location is the Municipal Office building at 1911 Old Route 66. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 P.M.

Land use in the news 01/16/2014

From the January 16  Mountain View Telegraph:

• Council, public discuss school closures;
• Section 16 may be 'core' of Edgewood;
• Estancia ed board hones in on financial matters;  
• Landowner ordered to clean up clutter;
• Tijeras delays decision on byway signs;
• Potential new use for school;
• Warning system test Wednesday;
• School bus-train near collisions prompt crossing-arm calls;
• Opinion: Regional unity will help protect our water.

[The MVT is published weekly in paper form and delivered with The Albuquerque Journal on Thursdays.  You may also read news, sports, opinions and letters to the editor, obituaries, legals, and classifieds online at the website. If you're reading the online version, don't forget to check the links to shorter topics such as the calendar, upcoming events, milestones, news briefs, police reports and this weekend notes which are interspersed in the news headlines.]

Link added:

I've placed a link to the web page of the Moriarty-Edgewood School District in the Outside Links list in the sidebar. The website contains contact information and is updated regularly with news about meetings and activities. 

Final agenda for tonight's Council meeting (01/15/2014)

Link to Council Packet Information including the financial report, bills paid, and GRT numbers. 

AGENDA

TOWN OF EDGEWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 15, 2014 @ 6:30 P.M.

EDGEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER – #27 E. FRONTAGE ROAD

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING MEETING

                                                              THANK YOU.
(The Town of Edgewood Council is pleased to have residents of the community take time to attend Council Meetings. Attendance and participation is encouraged. Individuals wishing to be heard during Public Hearing proceedings are encouraged to be prepare. PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE CONSTRUCTIVE AND DEVOID OF CHARACTER ASSASSINATION. Written comments are welcomed and should be given to the Clerk-Treasurer prior to the start of the meeting).

Land use in the news 01/15/2014

The Independent:  January 15-21 [Don't forget that if you have an e-sub it's time to renew!]

• Pleas to keep school open but no solutions (page 1);
• Prescribed burn this week (page 1);
• Town of Edgewood paid Advertisement of the General Obligation Bond Election (page 8);
• "I challenge my opponents to a debate" (letters on page 7);
•  Vote yes on bond for animal shelter" (letters on page 7);  
• Cibola County and Hospital board to close deal; Economics put brakes on fracking (Community News Exchange page 9);  
• Sandia Peak reduces skiing (page 9);
• Legal notices (page 14 and continued on page 2): The Town of Edgewood has two notices of public hearings; on February 4, 2014 the Planning & Zoning Commission will hear a request for a minor subdivision creating three lots from 20 acres.  The land is located at 251 Hawkeye Road. On February 5, 2014, the Governing Body will hold a public hearing at which it will consider adoption of the Edgewood Commons Master Plan for Section 16. 

[The Independent is locally owned and operated.  It is published weekly and appears on Wednesdays; the front page of the current edition appears on its website.  The price for an email subscription is reasonable, and I've found the service reliable and convenient.  The e-version includes ads and legal notices in full color with the added benefit of adjustable print size. You can also purchase a regular mail subscription or pick up a single copy for fifty cents at most local businesses if you prefer the paper and ink version.]

P&Z Agenda for 01/21/2014

The agenda for the next scheduled planning commission meeting has been published.  I have requested the draft minutes for their previous meeting (01/07/2014) and will post a link to that document when I receive the information.

2014 01 21 P&Z agenda
Master Plan for Section 16/Edgewood Commons

Update to the Hillcrest Master Plan Page

The following item has been added to the timeline for Hillcrest:

May 15, 2006:  A pre-application conference was held in which a representative for the developer who had the land under contract at that time discussed the plans for taking responsibility for paving one mile of Venus Road and to work with NMDOT for improvements to the intersection of Venus and NM 344. 

Update on Commission Minutes Archives

I have found draft copies of all the missing minutes from 2008 with the exception of what I believe was a special meeting held on July 28, 2008. The Commission minutes of August 4, 2008 contain a reference to approval of minutes for that date.  I will continue to look for the agenda and minutes for that meeting. ETA:  I have determined that the July 28 meeting was for a separate Capital Advisory Committee meeting and not a regular Commission meeting.

Audio from this week's Commission and Regular Council Meetings

2014 01 07 P&Z Regular Meeting MP3 (Contains an address to the Commission by Edgewood Mayor Brad Hill about master plans.)
2014 01 08 Regular Council Meeting MP3 (See the agenda and council packet for the list of topics covered and documents referred to at the meeting.)

This document gives general instructions for downloading the files to listen on your computer.  Several people tell me they have used the instructions successfully. If you have a Google account, are signed in, and have installed one of Google's audio player apps, you may also listen that way. If neither of those things work, please contact me via the e-mail address listed on the profile page. 

Land use in the news 01/09/2014

From the January 9  Mountain View Telegraph:

• Kinder Morgan pushes pipeline across state;
• Waste authority chided;
• Election filings turned in; 
• Letters for 01/09/2014: Grading company revived our road; Attack on school board uninformed. 

[The MVT is published weekly in paper form and delivered with The Albuquerque Journal on Thursdays.  You may also read news, sports, opinions and letters to the editor, obituaries, legals, and classifieds online at the website. If you're reading the online version, don't forget to check the links to shorter topics such as the calendar, upcoming events, milestones, news briefs, police reports and this weekend notes which are interspersed in the news headlines.]

Updates to the Section 16 page:

I've added links and filled in more areas of the timeline on the page dedicated to Section 16.

Land Use in the News 01/08/2014

The Independent:  January 8-14 [Don't forget that if you have an e-sub it's time to renew!]

• Many incumbents seeking re-election in towns (page 1);
• Sandia ski area reopens Friday (page 1);
• Notice of Town of Edgewood Special Council Meeting  (page 4);
•  Forest Service: use resources to thin forest (letters on page 6); 
• "I applaud Mayor Brad Hill for speaking out" (letters on page 7);
•  Vote disappointing but not unexpected (letters on page 7);  
• Money, education, politics dominates upcoming legislative session (page 9);  
• EBRA water meeting due (page 11);
• Legal notices (page 14): There are various legal notices, including the 2014 calendar for regular Santa Fe Count Commissioners Meetings, but I see nothing in this week's legals from the Town of Edgewood. 

[The Independent is locally owned and operated.  It is published weekly and appears on Wednesdays; the front page of the current edition appears on its website.  The price for an email subscription is reasonable, and I've found the service reliable and convenient.  The e-version includes ads and legal notices in full color with the added benefit of adjustable print size. You can also purchase a regular mail subscription or pick up a single copy for fifty cents at most local businesses if you prefer the paper and ink version.]

Preliminary Council Agenda for January 15, 2014

AGENDA

TOWN OF EDGEWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 15, 2014 @ 6:30 P.M

EDGEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER – #27 E. FRONTAGE ROAD

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING MEETING 

                                                             THANK YOU.
(The Town of Edgewood Council is pleased to have residents of the community take time to attend Council Meetings. Attendance and participation is encouraged. Individuals wishing to be heard during Public Hearing proceedings are encouraged to be prepare. PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE CONSTRUCTIVE AND DEVOID OF CHARACTER ASSASSINATION. Written comments are welcomed and should be given to the Clerk-Treasurer prior to the start of the meeting).

An addition to the Commission and Council Packets

Yesterday, the Edgewood Town Clerk provided a draft version of the conceptual proposal for the Section 16 Master Plan revision.  The Commission will be discussing the document informally since it is not on the agenda for tonight's meeting, but there is an agenda item, "Review of the Master Plan for Section 16 (Edgewood Commons)" on Wednesday's council agenda. 

Council Agenda and Meeting Packet for January 8, 2014

Because the launch of the new town website is imminent, the Town Clerk forwarded this week's council information via email instead of posting it at the current website.  The agenda and packet arrived combined into a single file which I've uploaded to a new folder established for 2014 Council Packets on Google Drive. 

Land use in the news 01/02/2014

From the January 2  Mountain View Telegraph:

• Amendment to code favors horse facilities;
• News Briefs; Edgewood makes sewage plant fixes;
• Letters for 01/02/2014: More discussion on schools needed; MESD using "fuzzy math" in decisions.

[The MVT is published weekly in paper form and delivered with The Albuquerque Journal on Thursdays.  You may also read news, sports, opinions and letters to the editor, obituaries, legals, and classifieds online at the website.]

Correction on E-subs to the Independent

I need to make a correction to an earlier post on this subject.  E-subs are, in fact, pro-rated, but the rollover date is at the beginning of the calendar year which facilitates record-keeping. I have also corrected the original post. My thanks to The Independent for contacting me and setting both me and the record straight: 

"We do pro-rate throughout the year, so in July it will cost $6 to sign up etc. But they do all roll over Jan. 1..."

I've been a big fan of the e-sub option since it was first offered in the fall of 2006, although one reader of The Portal tells me that there's nothing like having the paper and ink version to wave around when the occasion calls for doing so. 

P&Z packet for next Tuesday's meeting is now available.

I've uploaded packet information consisting of the agenda for the January 7, 2014 Commission meeting as well as the draft minutes for the December 17, 2013 meeting to Google Drive. 

A Rationale for Road Design Standards and Enforcement of Grading & Drainage Regulations

One of the ordinances most criticized by the local development community is ToE Ordinance 2001-1 which is usually referred to as the Grading & Drainage Ordinance.  As such ordinances go, the requirements placed upon property development in Edgewood are relatively modest, but that hasn't prevented complaints.  Requests for waivers from those requirements are frequently presented to the town's planning office.