2d Env

The document is a 28-page Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on the proposed Santolina development in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. It was prepared by the Bernalillo County Place Matters Team and includes 14 recommendations from the HIA. The recommendations address improving the planning process, demonstrating no adverse health or environmental impacts, conducting independent analyses of housing demand, water and natural resources, economic and infrastructure costs, and ensuring developer accountability. The HIA aims to consider the impacts of urban sprawl in a water-scarce region and on the local community.

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2d Env

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2d) Environmental Health, HIA Santolina

Health Impact Assessment on the Proposed Santolina Development Master Plan

Level A
Prepared for the Bernalillo County Planning Commission
October 1, 2014

By the Bernalillo County Place Matters Team in conjunction with

Kitty Richards, Principle Author, and the
Land Use Committee Members: Esther Abeyta, Jacque Garcia, Sergio Gonzales,
Daniel Michel, Lauro Silva, Julie Stephens, Kristine Suozzi, Monica Trujillo, David Vogel

Recommendations excerpted from the 28 page HIA includes

Planning Process
1. Postpone any decision on the proposed development until the Albuquerque Bernalillo
County Comprehensive Plan is completed and approved.
2. Answer all unanswered, or partially answered, community questions posed either in this
document or in testimony regarding the Santolina Development Plan.
3. Develop a Stakeholder Advisory Board to proactively discuss and develop policies to
prevent excessive entitlements and further unsustainable urban sprawl.
4. Review the CPC Guidelines of Conduct (Section B.3.) and Section 18 and 19.5 of the Zoning
Code, that regulate requirements for submittal deadlines by the applicant to assure there is
sufficient time for community members to review and comment prior to the Planning
Department’s deadline for inclusion in the CPC Packets.

Health Analysis
5. Demonstrate the development will not adversely affect the health of residents of Bernalillo
County.
6. Conduct a study of current farming practices and how practices may be impacted due to
development.

Natural Resources – Ecosystem and Water Analysis

7. Do not construct on, or otherwise disturb, the ancient sand dunes.
8. Examine current ‘wet’ water availability and current water obligations, and conduct an
independent study to demonstrate the anticipated needs of the development.
a. Indicate the source of water for the development and identify other water uses that
may be in jeopardy.
9. Develop a Stakeholder Advisory Board to proactively discuss and develop policy to identify
priority water allotments by water use.

Housing Market Analysis

10. Conduct, publish, and distribute an independent study on housing market feasibility and
demand, including an analysis of:
a. Lot vacancy rates.
b. Foreclosure rates.
c. Rates of partially constructed subdivisions/lots, and non-developed lots, and
subdivisions within Bernalillo County based on historical market trends and
patterns in home construction.
d. Inventory of existing platted vacant lots within an established distance (in number
of miles) from the development.

Economic Analysis
11. Conduct an independent economic analysis of the proposed development costs to the
county, including state, county, city, and federal liabilities.
12. Identify distance, and subsequent cost, for infrastructure expansion and public services to
serve the proposed development, including:
a. Identify new roads necessary and/or upgrades to existing roads and costs to serve
the development.
b. Include a list of existing infrastructure (including water) demands and public
services that will not be met if funding is diverted to the proposed Santolina
development.
13. Conduct an independent cost-benefit analysis of the proposed development for tax payers
of Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque.
a. Review the proposed development’s job creation protections to ensure they are
based on realistic market demands and include the projected duration of jobs.
14. Establish fair and just mechanisms to ensure that the developer pays its share of costs.

HIA Value
This HIA is unique because it considers the impacts of the proposed development on urban
sprawl, and the impact of further urban sprawl on a water poor, but culturally rich community.