By KIRSTEN LASKY
Los Alamos Daily Post

Although Los Alamos County Council approved amendments to the development agreement for the A-19-A-1 site in White Rock, it was not an unanimous decision.

During the regular County Council meeting Tuesday, June 6, in Council Chambers, Council voted five to one to approve the amendments; Councilor Chris Chandler cast the opposing vote and Councilor James Chrobocinski was absent from the meeting.  

The agenda documents reported that with Council’s approval of this amendment, a brief due diligence period ends on Aug. 29, with closing scheduled to occur on Sept. 12.  Construction on the site infrastructure is estimated to begin by December.

Community Development Director Paul Andrus identified the major changes in the development agreement. One of the significant changes authorizes the developer, Site A-19-A-1 Acquisition Group, LLC, to design and construct public infrastructure improvements on behalf of the County. The infrastructure will adequately service the site and the County will maintain and own it.

Andrus explained, “We feel the developer doing the work will accomplish some economic savings.” The utilities will have to be entered through a different route than what was originally planned, Andrus said, due to basalt rock in the property.

Another change is the expenditure of $464,208.55 of the $2 million set aside for County improvements in the original development agreement. The County will reimburse the developer for the actual costs to design, engineer and construct the infrastructure improvements as long as the costs do not exceed $1,535,791.45. If they do, the developer will need to pay those expenses.

A-19-A-1, along with a second parcel, titled A-19-A-2, encompass about 60 acres located off N.M. 4, west of the White Rock Visitor Center. Andrus told the Daily Post that the A-19-A-1 development would occur on the western portion of the site. The A-19-A-1 portion is expected to have lots for 106 homes. The development agreement for the second portion, A-19-A-2, will be presented for Council’s approval on June 27. This portion, Andrus said, would have lots for 53 homes.

Both parcels were part of a land transfer deal with the Department of Energy. The transfer was made back in 2002. Creating new housing development on the A-19 site was the recommendation of the White Rock Master Plan Implementation Committee, Andrus said. The process for looking for developers to build on the site started in 2013.

Andrus said Site A-19-A-1 Acquisition Group, LLC was selected because “this developer has a good understanding of the local market. He has done a tremendous amount of due diligence working with the county on the development agreement.”

The developer also knows about the challenges that will go into the site due to the large amount of basalt rock. Still, Andrus said the location is good for a housing development.

“It’s a beautiful location,” he said, “It has tremendous views.”

Plus, the development will be situated in White Rock, which is a family oriented town, Andrus said. The development will also be located across from the White Rock branch library and it will be close to schools as well as Bandelier.

“It’s going to do well for folks wanting to be near those amenities,” Andrus said.

Former White Rock Master Plan Implementation Committee Chair Denny Erickson applauded the County on bringing this project, which was 10 years in the making, to fruition. He explained when the White Rock Master Plan Implementation Committee disbanded, it provide a list to the County Council of unfinished business items that the committee felt should be addressed and the A-19-A-1 property was one of those items.

“It’s taken us a long time to get to this point,” Erickson said.

Erickson added that a key to rejuvenating the retail and commercial areas in White Rock is to add more rooftops. He further commended the County on seeing this project through.

“I want to commend several people for getting us to this point,” Erickson said. “County leadership and staff: Harry Burgess, Alvin Leaphart and especially our Community Development Director Paul Andrus. Paul has kept the vision …  and in fact exercised extreme savvy to get us to this point.”

Los Alamos resident Jody Benson urged caution going forward with the project. She pointed out the developer is being given a piece of property that is difficult to develop. She added she hoped there was some option being considered for affordable housing and that the community would be able to view the developer’s plans before the project moves forward.

Chandler also voiced concerns about the project. While some Councilors saw the development as an opportunity to provide much needed housing at a variety of price points, Chandler pointed out that the houses are planned to be listed  in the $300,000-$400,000 range which is not even close to a moderately priced housing market.  

She added while there is a need for more housing, she was concerned about the length of time the developer has scheduled to complete the project. The developer could take the three year period as an opportunity re-negotiate. She added she personally would not accommodate any requests for extensions. Still, Chandler thanked the staff for their efforts; she said they exhibited patience and diligence in this project.

Councilor Pete Sheehey moved to approve the project.

“It’s taken us a long time to get to this point.,” he said. “ I do appreciate that the developers are working closely with our staff. I like the fact they have move towards a higher density and I hope that will be reflected in the end point. I see the potential for a variety price points.”

The he addition of the second parcel of land, A-19-A-2, offers possibility of lower price point houses, Sheehey said.

Sheehey pointed out that affordable housing is not a good option for this parcel but he saw other areas where it could be offered.

“I think this is a good project,” Sheehey said. “It has been well negotiated.”

Attending the meeting via telephone, Council Chair David Izraelevitz also voiced support for the project.

“I am very excited about this project; I think it is clear we need much additional housing,” he said.

Councilor Rick Reiss shared similar thoughts; saying that this project was key to White Rock as well as other projects.

Councilor Antonio Maggiore described the project as “a labor of frustration and a labor of love.” He said he too was dismayed by the price ranges for the homes; $300-400,000 is not affordable to a large section of the population.

Still, speaking to Adam Thornton of Site A-19-A-1 Acquisition Group, LLC, who attended the Council meeting, Maggiore said, “I know this town means as much to you as it does to us.”

However, he wanted to make sure the County gets a say in the development, especially since it is putting money into the infrastructure.

Council Chair Susan O’Leary said she too was disappointed by the lack of affordable housing but the need for more housing is great and “we need to take our opportunities when we have them.” She said the Council needs to look at other properties for seniors and affordable housing.