19-05-2025
Latest step forward for East Mountain's Campbell Ranch development
EDGEWOOD, N.M. (KRQE) – It's the latest step forward for proposed development in the East Mountains. Residents are pushing back, yet again, urging the Edgewood Planning and Zoning Commission to protect their water.
It's been a years-long battle over the future of Campbell Ranch near Cedar Crest and San Antonito.
The most resent request from developers is to divide a 12-hundred-acre parcel into five sections. But residents in the area say if approved their way of life will be disturbed.
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'You all know this is a bad development but here we are again,' said a public commenter at the Edgewood Planning and Zoning Committee meeting on May 15th.
Thousands of homes and several golf courses. Developers said that's been the plan for privately owned Campbell ranch going back years after part of the property was annexed in 2001.
'Once a property is zoned, it's entitled to be developed. That's the agreement between a town and a property owner. It's entitled to proceed in accordance with that zoning,' said Sheldon Greer, a project manager with Community Design Solutions, representing Campbell Farming Corp.
The plan, according to Campbell ranch's website, has been to create over 4,000 acres of open space, 4-thousand homes, two golf courses, a resort hotel, and more.
But community members have been trying for years to kill the project over concerns it would put a strain on already limited resources like water.
'Our life and our livelihoods are at stake. If these wells, go dry. Do you know what's going to happen?' said one resident who gave testimony during the hearing.
In November, residents filled the room during an Edgewood Planning and Zoning Committee meeting where they asked commissioners to approve the lot be subdivided into five different lots.
Now, that was approved on a 3 to 2 vote. But it was later sent back to the committee by the town commission.
Once again, in front of commissioners during a committee meeting on Thursday, both those for and against the same request presented their pleas.
'I strongly urge you to reject this development proposal. Your decision will shape the future of our entire east mountain community. And we are counting on you to prioritize our collective wellbeing and unity,' said one resident during public comment.
'I might suggest that a lot of comments regarding 'Don't do this' again are kind of late,' said Greer.
A representative of the developers argued it was within their right to make the request. Arguing they meet the requirements to divide a 12-hundred-acre parcel into five sections.
'There's not really a lot of debate or discussion to be had regarding whether what we are doing is a good idea or a bad idea. It's a master plan that will be fulfilled,' said Greer.
Residents in the area voiced that Edgewood cannot support the expansion the project would eventually bring.
'The agreement is for development. No matter how you look at it and go at it. This is to me kind of a side door. It's a minor subdivision. It still leads to development,' said resident who gave testimony during the hearing.
The subdivision request was unanimously approved in a 5 to 0 vote.
The Town of Edgewood released a statement saying in part, 'This approval does not allow for construction or development of the subject property. Edgewood requires additional steps such as proof of water service, infrastructure requirements, and other public services before any dirt could be turned.'
The Town of Edgewood also said if developers were to take those steps. It would require an additional application and review process for further determination.
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