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ETA Votes To Zone Land Near Tortugas Mountain as Industrial

Simon Thompson

http://youtu.be/afkw9icZulw

A 16-acre parcel of land at the base of Tortugas Mountain, or ‘A’ Mountain has been at the center of a three-year zoning dispute, with property owners seeking commercial zoning, and residents wanting to maintain the natural wilderness.

Yesterday, the Extra Territorial Zoning Authority voted to zone the property for industrial use,

In a 4-1 vote, the Extra Territorial Zoning Authority, or ETA, followed the recommendation of the Extra Territorial Zoning commission to zone the property for industrial use. ETA member Billy Garrett says because of the competing interests, keeping the historic land use was the best way to go.

“It’s a critical place in many, many ways,” Garrett said. “And I think the idea of maintaining the existing use of the property is probably the simplest thing to do at this point. It really does respect the historic pattern of both mining and also of pilgrimage, those are the two biggies.”

ETA member Ben Rawson was the only vote against the industrial zoning, saying that it should have been zoned commercial because of the inevitable growth in the area.

“In this location, now that we have a high school that’s there,” Rawson said. “I think it’s only a matter of time for the commercial to develop. I think it was a very poor location for the school to be placed originally, but that’s where it’s at. And there is no movement I’m aware of to get rid of it, so it’s there personally and I think it will ultimately become a commercial area.”

Dominic Fierro with the Tortugas Pueblo says the industrial zoning was the best option for the area.

“We feel comfortable with this designation that they finally have decided on,” Fierro said. “One would argue that this could have been made a few years ago, but I think after through everything, we’re happy with the decision that had to be made because we knew a decision had to be made.”
 
Paul Pompeo, with Southwest Engineering, who is representing the property owners says while they were hoping for a commercial zoning they can settle for the industrial.

“From all the analysis that we did, both us and the staff,” Pompeo said. “We felt that the commercial zoning was the best use of the land. Although, the commission didn’t see it that way, we’re happy with the industrial zoning that they gave us tonight.”

Property owners can still seek a zoning change in the future, but Pompeo says there are no plans for that at this time.

Samantha Sonner was a multimedia reporter for KRWG- TV/FM.