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EHHA PDV Policy
The following is an adopted Policy stating the Enchanted Hills Homeowners position on the construction of Paseo del Volcan.This policy was adopted at the General Session, 7:00 pm October 13, 2005 at the DPS station on Sante Fe Hills Blvd.
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Enchanted Hills Homeowners Association
POLICY ON DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF PASEO DEL VOLCAN
Adopted October 13, 2005
EHHA MISSION
To promote a diverse and sustainable Enchanted Hills community by –
- Working together to improve our quality of life
- Giving residents a forum to discuss and resolve common concerns
- Promoting community values, both tangible and intangible
- Supporting responsible growth and development
- Maintaining a safe and secure environment
- Sponsoring community beautification and conservation projects
- Bringing neighbors together for recreational activities
- Uniting Enchanted Hills residents with other concerned citizens in matters involving our larger metropolitan and regional communities
PASEO DEL VOLCAN
In 1989, plans were announced by local and state officials to build a two-lane, limited-access highway connecting I-40 in southern Albuquerque to US-550 in northern Rio Rancho.
A Project Study Team, representing several local and state governmental units, evaluated a number of alternate routes for this roadway, known as Paseo del Volcan or PDV. As required by with the National Environmental Protection Act, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was prepared by the participating government agencies. This study recommended a roadway alignment across the Enchanted Hills subdivision through what was then undeveloped land. To minimize adverse environmental impact on areas bordering the proposed roadway, the EIS stipulated several conditions which must be met during PDV’s design and construction in order to comply with federal environmental statutes. The EIS requirements – set forth in the Executive Summary - are as follows:
- PDV will be a two-lane limited access roadway for its entire length.
- Intersections with major cross streets will be at-grade except at I-40, where an interchange will be built.
- The portion of PDV traversing Enchanted Hills will be depressed eight to ten feet below the surrounding terrain to reduce impacts on that community. Ten-foot high noise walls will be constructed along the roadway in the Enchanted Hills and Northern Meadows subdivisions in Rio Rancho. The final location, height and aesthetic design of these walls will reflect additional analysis and public input during the final design phase.
- A separate study will be conducted to evaluate the transportation needs of the US-550 corridor between PDV and I-25 (including the Town of Bernalillo).
- Steps will be taken to reduce disturbance to soils, vegetation and wildlife habitat during construction, and to restore vegetation after construction is completed.
- Final design for the project will include a detailed drainage analysis, and will likely include a number of drainage ponds to collect storm water flows from the roadway – all of which will require authorization from the US Army Corps of Engineers.
- Twenty-six cultural sites lying on or near the proposed PDV route will be evaluated to determine eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places and/or the presence of important archeological information.
EHHA POLICY STATEMENT
The Enchanted Hills Homeowners Association supports the construction of Paseo del Volcan along the EIS-recommended route, provided that:
- ALL requirements set forth in the federal Environmental Impact Study are met.
- Residents of Enchanted Hills and other affected areas of Rio Rancho are informed and actively involved in the PDV planning, design and construction process.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
To ensure full public disclosure, community involvement and accountability for meeting the EIS requirements for PDV, EHHA requests the following from each responsible level of government:
A. CITY OF RIO RANCHO
- A meeting between City decision-makers and EHHA representatives no later than 30 days following EHHA’s adoption of this policy , to report on PDV planning and development completed to date.
- A timetable for continued planning and development of PDV, to be published no later than 30 days following EHHA’s adoption of this policy, and updated as each planned objective is reached.
- A process for disclosure and consultation with City residents on PDV as development proceeds, including:,
- Attendance by EHHA representative(s) at City staff design meetings for PDV.
- Public meetings held monthly or more often as needed.
- Written commitment to construct foot bridges over PDV (at least 3 in Enchanted Hills) to ensure connectivity with the total community.
- Written commitment to suspend Enchanted Hills Blvd. over PDV.
- Written commitment to suspend drainage and utilities over PDV.
- Written agreement to require EHHA approval of PDV termination point.
- Designation of City contact(s) for EHHA inquiries and input.
B. COUNTY GOVERNMENT (County of Sandoval)
- Inclusion of EHHA in all discussions surrounding US 550 traffic flow.
- Designation of County contact(s) for EHHA inquiries and input.
C. STATE OF NEW MEXICO
* Department of State Highways and Transportation
* Office of the Governor
- A meeting between State decision-makers and EHHA representatives no later than 30 days following EHHA’s adoption of this policy, to report on PDV planning and development completed to date.
- A timetable for continued planning and development of PDV, to be published no later than 30 days following EHHA’s adoption of this policy, and updated as each planned objective is reached.
- A process for disclosure and consultation with EHHA representatives on PDV as development proceeds, including:
- Attendance by EHHA representative(s) at County staff design meetings for PDV.
- Public meetings held monthly or more often as needed.
- Written commitment to construct foot bridges over PDV (at least 3 in Enchanted Hills) to ensure connectivity with the total community.
- Written commitment to suspend Enchanted Hills Blvd. over PDV.
- Written commitment to suspend drainage and utilities over PDV.
- Written agreement to require EHHA approval of PDV termination point.
- Designation of State contact(s) for EHHA inquiries and input.
D. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
* US Secretary of Transportation
* Federal Highway Administration
* New Mexico’s US Senators and Members of Congress
Timely access to elected officials and clear delineation of appeal procedures if City, County or State does not meet requirements stated above.
All studies, final designs and study reports produced during the PDV planning and construction process will be communicated promptly in writing to EHHA, which will post them on its website (www.ehha.us) for all concerned citizens to review.
City, county and state officials engaged in the design and construction of PDV will be accessible to citizens by telephone and/or email to answer questions about the highway development in process. These contact persons will be identified in writing to EHHA no later than 30 days following EHHA’s adoption of this policy.
The EHHA Board of Directors will designate two or more primary contact persons for communications between public agencies and Enchanted Hills residents on PDV.
CONCLUSION
EHHA stands for full public disclosure of governmental actions affecting the quality of life in our community. In that spirit, EHHA will communicate this policy to city, county, state and federal representatives, as well as to other homeowners associations and public interest groups who support the responsible development of Paseo del Volcan.
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