Land at the base of Tortugas Mountain near Las Cruces is once again in the spotlight. A 16-acre parcel just west of Tortugas…or "A" Mountain…is being considered for commercial zoning that would allow retail businesses to move in. Tonight (Thursday) at 6pm…a public hearing on the matter will be held at the Dona Ana County Government Center.
Last year, when an appeal to re-zone the land was rejected…the meeting went until 1:30 in the morning. Las Cruces resident Duane Mosley spoke at that meeting…and like many in the audience…decried the possibility of what he saw as a potential marring of the landscape with commercial buildings.
There are also health concerns about the potential for fast food restaurants….right across a very busy road from Centennial High School. And those aren’t the only concerns. The land has cultural significance…members of the Tortugas Pueblo congregation climb the mountain in an annual pilgrimage to honor the Virgin Mary.
County staff recommended approval of the commercial zoning change last year. This year, staff is calling on the zoning board to choose among three options: commercial, industrial or residential zoning.