About 16 acres of land at the base of Tortugas Mountain near Las Cruces was the subject of a heated public meeting Thursday night at the Dona Ana County Government Center. After four hours of public comment overwhelmingly against commercial zoning of the property, the extra-territorial zoning commission board decided to delay a decision. The board could decide to designate the property for industrial, commercial, or residential zoning. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, at 6pm at the Dona Ana County Government Center.
Last year, county staff recommended commercial zoning of the property. While staff did not take an official position this year, Community Development Director Daniel Hortert heralded the benefits of potential economic development by re-zoning the land. He offered a number of very specific examples, at one point, even noting that another Las Cruces high school is located near a restaurant that sells hamburgers for three dollars.
The comments may have been surprising to some. Certain opponents have voiced health concerns about the potential for fast food restaurants….right across a very busy road from Centennial High School. For his part, Hortert cited the inconvenience faced by Centennial students who have to drive to reach a restaurant for lunch.
In addition to health concerns, opponents of commercial zoning cited the cultural significance of the land and its location near the entrance of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.