Voting Information for the 2014 Edgewood Municipal Election

Early voting ends tomorrow (Friday February 28, 2014) at 5:00 PM.

Time and Place: Early voting takes place during regular business hours (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) at the town offices located at 1911 Historic Route 66 (South of Plaza Loop and the Pizza Barn).

The Ballot: There are 3 candidates for 2 council positions and two General Obligation Bond tax questions on the ballot for the upcoming Edgewood municipal election. [Link to sample ballot.]

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Election Day: If you cannot vote early, be sure to vote on Tuesday March 4 at the Edgewood Community Center which is located on the Frontage Road east of Dairy Queen. The polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Election Day. If you wait until late in the day, be advised that you must be either inside the building or standing in line outside the door of the Community Center at 7:00 PM in order to vote.

Land use in the news 02/27/2014

From the February 27  Mountain View Telegraph:

• Hours to be expanded for Tijeras Senior Center;
• Master plan for Section 16 adopted;
• Mountainair eyes new high school;
• Voting Tues. in six area municipalities;
• News Briefs: Water projects aid rural communities;
• This Weekend: Edgewood forum for candidates; Fire preparedness session Saturday;
• News: Estancia candidate profiles; 
• Opinion: Compromises led to productive session;
• Whirlwind '14 session leaves much for 2015;

[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 02/26/2014

The Independent:  February 26-March 4

• School enrollment down 4.6% from last year (page 1);
• Council OKs Edgewood Commons (page 1);
• Highs and lows of legislative session (page 2); 
• Fires in East Mountains started by fireworks (page 3);
• Voting information for different municipalities (see the green box on page 4);
• Town elections are March 4 (page 4);
• Paid advertisement for the Edgewood municipal election (page 5);
• FORUM Letters: Not in support of the road bond questions; "Suck it up" Edgewood don't add more debt (pages 7-8);
• Johnsons show protests mining (page 11);
• Legal notices (page 14) This week's edition includes public notices from the Town of Edgewood on its advertisement for bids on road materials and a changed meeting schedule for March 2014 town council meetings.

[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.]

Edgewood GO Bond information

A postcard arrived in the mail today in support of the GO Bond question on the animal shelter.  The assessed values and proposed tax rates quoted on the card appear to have been taken from the town's amended GO Bond brochure, but only the lowest set of numbers is shown on the postcard.  The Town of Edgewood brochure contains a wider range of information and covers both questions which appear on the ballot for the March 4, 2014 municipal election. 

According to the Town Clerk's election schedule page, Friday February 28, 2014 is the last day for early voting, and you must be in the building by 5:00 PM in order to vote. Early voting takes place on weekdays during regular business hours at the Town of Edgewood Municipal Offices located to the south of Plaza Loop and the Pizza Barn.  Please visit the town's election information page at the official website for more information about the election. 

Municipal Offices 1911 Historic Route 66 
P.O. Box 3610, Edgewood, NM 87015 
Phone: (505) 286-4518 

Name changed and information added to one of the portal's pages:

The Information Portal page which was formerly called Santa Fe County SLDC has been shortened to Santa Fe County. I made the name change today after adding links to the Santa Fe County draft Economic Development Plan and other information from the county website's Hot Topics list.

New Folder Added to Drive

I've created a new folder for various topics related to economic development and have included it in Links to ToE on Drive located in the right sidebar. The folder has copies of documents pertaining to Senate Bill 175, and I hope to eventually add information about SB175's possible successor as well as other topics.

Document added to the 2014 Municipal Election Folder:

The sample ballot for Edgewood and other election related documents can be viewed in the 2014 Municipal Election folder. The options currently available for online viewing of documents are somewhat limited, so I suggest the following: either print a paper copy or download and open in a document viewer which allows for rotation of the image.

January 11, 2014 Special Council Meeting at Edgewood Elementary School (edited)

Last month's link to the audio files of the Special Edgewood Town Council meeting of January 11, 2014 has been pushed to older pages, so I'm re-posted the link.  Instructions for listening to and/or downloading audio can be viewed here.

Land use in the news 02/20/2014

From the February 20  Mountain View Telegraph:

• MESD ed board OK's redraw of boundaries;
• Road work on March ballot;
• Sunset Acres residents seek Jemez Road repairs;
• Tijeras water project well-planned;
• Firm's request irks city;
• Coming Up:  Fire prevention meeting March 3;
• News: Moriarty council candidate profiles; 
• Opinion: Rates bill could jolt the economy;
• Restore counties' GRT mandate for hospitals;
• Letters: Mountainair needs member on board; No BLM decision yet on pipeline.

[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 perils of a short session!

Unfortunately, today's House calendar does not include SB 175, which was a bill intended to be an incentive for software development firms to locate in the area.  Senator Beffort's office confirmed the bill's omission from the House Calendar this morning.  The bill encountered few negative comments during it's journey through the Senate and the House, and I was told it will be re-introduced at some point.

Today's page showing the bill's location and progress:
Actions: (Key to Abbreviations)
[2] SCC/SCORC/SFC-SCC [4]germane-SCORC [10] DP-SFC [11] DP/a [15] PASSED/S (33-4) [13] HTRC/HAFC-HTRC [14] DP-HAFC

Hot Topics from the Santa Fe County website

For those who follow the adjudication of water rights in New Mexico, Santa Fe County is scheduling public meetings regarding Aamodt Public Outreach Information and Reports.

The page devoted to the Santa Fe County Economic Development Plan is also on the list of hot topics.  The page contains a link to the body of the draft version of the plan as well as a separate document containing the appendix.

A schedule for implementation of the Zoning Map for the Santa Fe County Sustainable Land Development Code (SLDC) is also available at the county's website.

Corrected Council Minutes

The first draft of the minutes for the January 18, 2014 special council meeting were rejected as lacking sufficient detail and for failing to reflect the substance of the discussion. The second version was presented at tonight's council meeting for consideration and approval; it can be viewed on pp. 10-11 of the Council Packet for 02/19/2014. The sidebar at the top left of the page contains links to the three draft versions of Resolution 2014-01 as well as links to the first and second drafts of the minutes. 

Land use in the news 02/19/2014

The Independent:  February 19-25

• Planning for the future of Los Vecinos: a pool? (page 1);
• Freyburger driving Torrance County commission as chairman (page 2);
•  Solar array to power Moriarty city facilities (page 3); 
• Education measures piling up as legislative session nears the end (page 4);
• Give input to Santa Fe County economic plan (page 4);
• Guest Opinion: Educator supports return to state board and superintendent (page 6);
• Mountain Musing: Common Core, common commotion (page 6);
• FORUM Letters: School board member elected to represent her constituents; Letter "hit the nail on the head" (page 7);
• Moriarty candidates (pages 8-9);
• Voting information for different municipalities (see the green box on page 9);
• EMIFPA: Get ready for fire season. (page 11);
• The Town of Edgewood advertises the General Obligation Bond Election (page 11);
• Legal notices (pages 19-22) This week's edition includes public notices from the Town of Edgewood on the municipal election and bond questions as well as notice of the continuation of the public hearing on adoption of the Section 16 Master Plan.

[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.]

Council meeting packet including the latest financial reports.

Due to technical difficulties with the town website, the information was not available until late afternoon.  You may view the packet on Drive, or at the town website. 

Audio for last night's P&Z meeting is now available at the Town Website

Follow this link to listen to the February 18, 2014 Commission meeting which included a workshop on the ordinance revisions. The meeting lasted approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes. 

SB 175

SB 175 has passed the Senate on a vote of 33-4. It's current location: House Taxation & Revenue Committee. I'm following this legislation because it has the potential for helping the town attract a private sector "anchor" for the Master Plan on Section 16. 

Notes on the bill's progress through the system:
[2] SCC/SCORC/SFC-SCC [4]germane-SCORC [10] DP-SFC [11] DP/a [15] PASSED/S (33-4) [13] HTRC/HAFC-HTRC

Key to the abbreviations shown above. NB: the numbers in brackets refer to legislative days, not calendar days.   

Capital Outlay: A Primer

While looking for information about Senate Bill 175*, which is sponsored by New Mexico Senator Sue Wilson Beffort, I found this Information Bulletin from the New Mexico Legislative Council Service. In order for municipalities to apply for capital outlay funding, priorities in the form of an Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan (ICIP) must first be adopted by resolution during a public hearing and then reported to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration.

*The title of the bill is: SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT GROSS RECEIPTS 

Zoning Ordinances Compared (Sections 20-22, 24)

This post covers the remaining zone districts which are primarily non-residential in nature, but which do allow for limited residential uses. Section 23,which lays out requirements for MP-Master Plan Zone District, is the subject of an earlier post.

One notable innovation found in these sections of the ordinance is the addition of  another permissive use to the C-2 zone category which would be have geographic limitations. (See in the proposed ordinance line 1258 found on p. 27.) Another important change is that the proposed ordinance would add a provision with few limitations for multi-family residential properties to designated uses in the S-U zone category. (See in the proposed ordinance lines 1745-1747 found on p. 37.)

For those zone districts enumerated in this portion of the ordinance, the section numbers are the same in both the current ordinance and the proposed ordinance, but the descriptions of zone categories are listed in different order.  Details follow the page break.

Zoning Ordinances Compared (16-19 and 13, 17-19)

This post is devoted to the four remaining residential zone categories; Residential Estate (R-E), Rural Residential (R-R), Residential and Services (R-S), and Mixed Use (M-U). The proposed ordinance would change the M-U zone category name from "multi-use" to "mixed use" which risks promoting confusion with the R-5 zone category which is also described as "mixed use." Details follow the page break.

Zoning Ordinances Compared (Sections 12-15 and 11-12,14-16)

This post covers provisions for residential zone categories R-1 through R-5 as reflected in both the current ordinance and the proposed zoning ordinance.  The proposed ordinance would delete the R-2 category, and change the title of the R-4 category from "Mobile Home" to "Manufactured Home." Secondary Quarters would be added as conditional uses for R-1, R-4 and R-5 in the proposed ordinance. Details follow the page break.

Media Advisory from the State Land Office

The State Land Office has released this information about next week's public hearing on the Section 16 Master Plan to be held during the regular Edgewood Town Council meeting. 

Zoning Ordinances Compared (Sections 10-11 and 9-10)

The organization of comparable sections is the same for both versions, but an error in the lettering of provisions in Section 9 of the current ordinance is corrected in Section 10 of the proposed ordinance. There are minor substantive changes in both sections most of which seem intended to add specificity or standardize terminology.  However an entire section (11.E. Non-Agricultural Lots) has been added to the proposed ordinance. Changes and other notes are located in brackets following the section titles. Details follow the page break.

Recap of the proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance:

General notes, definitions, and Sections 1-3:  No substantive changes found to sections 1-3; the total number of definitions has been reduced but others have been added.
Section 5/4: Minor changes noted.
Sections 6-9 and 5-8: Substantial reorganization and changes noted.

[Edited to achieve consistency of format.]

Zoning Ordinances Compared (Sections 6-9 and 5-8)

The three sections of the Zoning Ordinance dealing with review and approval, general provisions, and development review show important differences between the current and proposed versions.  The provisions regarding zone district boundaries appear to be the same.  Details follow the page break. [Edited to achieve consistency of format.]

Land use in the news 02/13/2014

From the February 13  Mountain View Telegraph:

• CNM, local leaders mull school use;
• Ed board minutes prove contentious;
• News: Various Edgewood and Tijeras candidate profiles;
• News Briefs: Bernalillo kicks off county-wide canvass;
• Obituaries: Steve Williams, a longtime Town of Edgewood employee;
• Letters: Proposed pipeline threatens forest. 

[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.]

Zoning Ordinances Compared (Section 5/4: Review and Decision-Making Bodies)

A comparison of  Section 5 of the proposed ordinance with Section 4 of the current ordinance reveals two changes.  Details follow the page break. [Edited to achieve consistency of format.]

Council preliminary agenda for February 19, 2014

The preliminary agenda is available for viewing or downloading from the Town of Edgewood's website.  I have also placed a copy on Drive. 

Land use in the news 02/12/2014

The Independent:  February 12-18

• CNM explores expansion with school district (page 1);
• Challenger and two incumbents for two Edgewood council seats (page 1);
• Bernalillo County plans to canvass 250,000 homes (page 2);
• New Mexico must invest in water infrastructure Guest opinion by NM Senator Pete Campos and Secretary-Designate of Environment Ryan C. Flynn (page 4); 
• Seeking input on Los Vecinos plan (page 4);
• Cibola to have free weekend (page 4);
• Edgewood seeks bond approval for roads and an animal shelter (page 5);
• Voting information for different municipalities (see the green box on page 5);
• Edgewood is "selfish and shortsighted" (Letters: page 7); 
• Water funding, planning still a big issue in legislative session (page 9);
• News from the New Mexico Roundhouse--various subjects (page 10);
• Farm-to-school appropriation would expand an already successful program (page 11);
• Legal notices (pages 19-22) This week's edition includes public notices from the Town of Edgewood on the municipal election and bond questions as well as notice of the upcoming primary election proclamation.

[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.]

Zoning Ordinances Compared (Section 23 Master Plan Zone)

Since the town is planning to scrap its existing Master Plan for Section 16 and is in the process of approving a new one, I decided to look at proposed changes to the MP Zone before looking at other sections. When comparing the current and proposed zoning ordinances side by side, I found several changes.  Both versions put the Master Plan Zone in Section 23, but the subsections differ in some important respects. The requirement for open space is cut in half in the proposed ordinance, and master plans of 200 acres or less are not required to provide impact statements about storm runoff, schools, and highways. A summary follows the page break.

Land use in the news 02/06/2014

From the February 6  Mountain View Telegraph:

• Landowners upset over pipeline proposal;
• Work on I-40 set to begin;
• 2 meetings to consider Los Vecinos improvements;
• Open Space programs win praise;
• News Briefs: Congress approves PILT extension; Applications taken for APS tranfers; EMHS accepting new enrollments;
• Letters: Correcting info on chamber, council; Work together on school closures. 

[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.]

Proposed Changes to the Town of Edgewood Zoning Ordinance (Part 1; pp. 1-6 of the proposed ordinance)

What follows is a summary of things I found during a quick scan followed by a closer look at the first six pages of the proposed ordinance; please feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me if you disagree with what I've listed, have a general comment, or would like to add something to this list:

Land use in the news 02/05/2014

The Independent:  February 5-11

• Many candidates vie for seats in Estancia town election (page 1);
• Two run for Estancia judge (page 1);
• County (Bernalillo) seeks input on future of facilities, seeks grant applications (page 2);
• News from the New Mexico Roundhouse (page 5);
• News from the New Mexico Roundhouse--various subjects (page 3);
• School Board and Town Council need to work together (Letters: page 6);
• Only Kinder Morgan benefits (Letters: page 7);
• How to transfer to an APS school (Letters: page 7);
• Town of Edgewood paid Advertisement of the General Obligation Bond Election (page 8); [This version specifies particular roads.]
• Legal notices (page 14) There are no legal notices from the Town of Edgewood in this edition, but there are notices about election matters from the Village of Tijeras.

[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.]

Upcoming town meetings schedule:

• P&Z: Feb. 18, 2014; 6:00 pm (The Commission will review proposed changes to the subdivision and zoning ordinances.)
• P&Z: March 18, 2014; 6:00 pm (The first Tuesday in March is Election Day, so there will be no meeting on that date. The Commission has only one meeting scheduled for March at this time.)
• (P&Z meetings may be added, cancelled, or changed on short notice as required to transact business or assemble a quorum.)

• Council: Feb. 5, 2014; 6:30 pm (Section 16 Master Plan; timeline for ordinance review.)
• Council: Feb. 19; 6:30 pm
• Council: March 5; 6:30 pm
• Council: March 19; 6:30 pm (Mid-year budget review.)

History of ToE Resolution 2014-01 (continued)

Draft minutes for the special council meeting of 01/18/2014 were among the documents included in the Town Council's packet for the Feb. 5 council meeting. The link to the minutes will be updated after the minutes are approved and published. The only item on the agenda for the Jan. 18 meeting was consideration of a resolution in response to the proposed closure of Edgewood Elementary School.  Links to different versions of the resolution are located in the box at the top of the left sidebar. 

Council agenda and packet information for 02/05/2014 are now available. (Edited to correct link to ToE website)

The final agenda for Wednesday's council meeting has been published as part of the council packets.  The nine documents provided by the Town Clerk for the council packets are available on Drive.  The only item which has not been included is the Police Department report for January, 2014.

The preliminary agenda may also be viewed and downloaded from the Town of Edgewood website. It does not appear that the packet information and final agenda have been posted there yet.