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Planned City Near Albuquerque Draws Opposition Over Water

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bernalillo-County-NM

A planned city west of Albuquerque is drawing opposition over concerns about water.

Bernalillo County officials are scheduled to hold a two-day hearing beginning Wednesday to decide the fate of the 14,000-acre development.

The new city dubbed Santolina would be located along Interstate 40 and would have its own business parks and town centers.

But opponents say the plan could rob nearby communities of needed water. Loren Gomez, a farmer in Albuquerque's South Valley, says developers should instead invest in areas inside Albuquerque rather than take away resources from the outskirts.

Developer Western Albuquerque Land Holdings says the new development complies with requirement that it must generate revenues equal to or greater than expenses to the county. Proponents also say it would add needed jobs to the area.

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