This story originally appeared in The Independent News ("The Indy"), the monthly local newspaper serving the East Mountains, Edgewood and Estancia Valley since 1999.
By Connor Currier
A high-stakes land use dispute will come before the Edgewood Town Commission next week as residents and stakeholders appeal the approval of a controversial subdivision project by Campbell Farming Corporation.
The quasi-judicial hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 24 at 3 p.m. at Edgewood Town Hall, located at 171 A. NM 344. The proceeding stems from a May 15 decision by the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission to approve Campbell’s proposal for a five-tract subdivision, dubbed Village 2, on parcel 9110112931 in Section 36, Township 10N, Range 7E land zoned under the town’s Master Plan (M-P) designation.
The property lies within Bernalillo County, but falls under the jurisdiction of the Town of Edgewood. The subdivision was greenlit under Town Ordinance 1999-R, which guides development in accordance with the area’s master plan. Now, the project faces a formal challenge, as multiple appellants have filed an appeal to overturn the decision. The Town Commission will act in a quasi-judicial capacity, not as policymakers, but as adjudicators reviewing the legality and appropriateness of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s original ruling.
Procedural Details
Each appellant or group of appellants, if consolidated, will be given up to 45 minutes to present arguments and call witnesses. The Planning and Zoning Commission, serving as the appellee, will have equal time to defend its decision. Cross-examinations are also scheduled: the appellee may cross-examine each appellant’s witnesses for up to 15 minutes, and appellants will have the same opportunity with the appellee’s witnesses. A 10-minute rebuttal period will follow for appellants.
All witnesses must be identified, and summaries of their anticipated testimony submitted no later than ten business days prior to the hearing. The full administrative record, including indexed and stamped documents, will be shared at least five business days in advance via file sharing or the Town’s website.
Development vs. Local Concerns
While details of the appeal have not been made public, community opposition to development projects in the Edgewood area has grown in recent years. Critics often cite water availability, traffic congestion and preservation of rural character as chief concerns. Campbell Farming Corporation, a long-time landholder in the region, has previously faced scrutiny from residents over its plans to develop large portions of its property holdings in Edgewood.
Whether the commission will uphold the Planning and Zoning Commission’s May approval or reverse it remains to be seen. Members of the public who previously provided comments are permitted to speak during the hearing, but no new public comments will be taken at the appeal. Others who wish to express opinions may still submit written statements in advance if they haven’t already done so.
For more information or to access the hearing materials, residents are encouraged to contact Victoria Archuleta or visit the Town of Edgewood’s website.
