Comprehensive Plan
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COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COUNTY OF RIO ARRIBA Adopted January 24, 2008 Amended and Adopted July 29, 2010 Amended and Adopted December 23, 2014 Prepared By: Planning and Zoning Department COMMISSIONERS Danny J. Garcia Chairman District III Barney Trujillo Rio Arriba District I Alfredo L. Montoya Board of County Commissioners District II COUNTY MANAGER RESOLUTION NO. 2015-041 Tomas Campos, III A RESOLUTION AMENDING AND ADOPTING THE 2014 RIO ARRIBA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan is a goal-oriented living document designed to guide the County over the next five years; and, WHEREAS, an approved Comprehensive Plan is an advisory document of the County that establishes a basis for the regulations and programs necessary to manage current and future development within the County; and, WHEREAS, the current Comprehensive Plan serves as a catalyst for future funding of County projects at the State and Federal level; and, WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan does not change any existing, nor create any new laws, regulations, or requirements; and, WHEREAS, the County acknowledges the value of comprehensive guidelines covering a range of elements including land and water, natural resources, transportation, housing, health, economic development, community facilities and infrastructure, and hazard mitigation; and, WHEREAS, Planning and Zoning staff have engaged with community members since September 2014 to identify issues, establish goals, and recommend specific implementation strategies; and, WHEREAS, local radio, the county website and informational flyers were used to solicit input and community participation; and, WHEREAS, County residents provided valuable input constituting the bulk of the proposed amendment recommendations through a series of town halls; and, WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Committee and the Board of County Commissioners conducted public hearings to solicit input and to review the Plan; and, 1 WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Committee on December 12, 2014 has recommended the 2014 Rio Arriba County Comprehensive Plan be adopted and used as the planning document for the Rio Arriba County Board of Commissioners. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVD BY THE COUNTY OF RIO ARRIBA THAT: 1. The County of Rio Arriba does hereby amend and adopt the “2014 Rio Arriba County Comprehensive Plan” on December 23, 2014, as a guideline for the future development of the County; and, 2. The Plan is a fluid working document, subject to annual review and five year updates to ensure it reflects the evolving vision of the County. SIGNED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS 23rd DAY OF DECEMBER 2014. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO ____________________________________ Danny J. Garcia, Chairman Commissioner, District III ____________________________________ Barney Trujillo Commissioner, District I ____________________________________ Alfredo L. Montoya Commissioner, District ATTEST: _______________________________________ Moises A. Morales, Jr. Rio Arriba County Clerk 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS RIO ARRIBA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Barney Trujillo, District I Alfredo L. Montoya, District II Danny J. Garcia, District III, Chairman COUNTY MANAGER Tomas Campos, III ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER David F. Trujillo PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT Lucia F. Sanchez, Director Phil Kilgour, Assistant Planner Andrew Martinez, Assistant Planner Michael Garcia, Assistant Planner PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE MEMBERS Benny Martinez, Chairman Pablo Manzanares, Secretary Raymond Ortiz, Member JR Trujillo, Member Lorenzo Valdez, Member Manuel Trujillo, Member Miguel A. Trujillo, Member 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction ..…………………………………………………………………...…6 II. County of Rio Arriba Mission …………………………………………………………………...7 Vision ………………………………………………………………….…7 III. Community Profile History ……………………………………………………………..……..8 Demographics …………………………………………………….……..12 Land Base …………………………………………………….…………18 Ecoregion …………………………………………………………….….21 Watershed ………………………………………………………….……25 IV. Community Participation ………………………………………………….…….36 V. Natural Resources Soil ………………………………………………………………………39 Water …………………………………………………………………….40 Air ……………………………...………………………………………..41 Plants and Animals ……………………………………………………...42 Human Environment …………………………………….………………43 Goals & Strategies ...…………………………………………………….45 VI. Land Use Traditional Use ………………………………………………….……….52 Regulations ……………………………………………………………...55 Goals & Strategies ………………………...…………………….………57 VII. Economic Development Income ……………………………………………………...……………63 Unemployment ……………………………………………………..……65 Education ..………………………………………………………………65 Economic Development by Sector ………………………………………66 Tourism …………………………………………………………...……..67 Oil & Gas ………………………………………………………………..68 Economic Development Initiatives ………………………….…………..68 Goals & Strategies …...………………………………………………….70 VIII. Housing Characteristics ……………………………………………….…..………76 Affordability ………………………………….…………………………77 Housing Stock and Affordability ………………………………………..78 Goals & Strategies ………………………………….…………………...78 IX. Community Facilities & Infrastructure Water …………………………………………………………….………80 4 Energy ………………………………………………………….………..82 Telecommunications …………………………………………….………83 Solid Waste ……………………………………………………….……..84 Community Facilities …………………………………………….……...84 Traditional Acequia Infrastructure ……………………………….……...87 Public Safety ……………………………………………………….……87 Health Care ………………………………………………………….…..88 Housing Authority ………………………………………………………89 Goals & Strategies ...…………………………………………………….90 X. Transportation Principle Transportation …………………………………………………93 Streets and Highways ………………………………………………...….93 Public Transit …………………………………………………...……….94 Airport Service …………………………………………………………..94 Hiking and Biking ……………………………………………………….95 Goals & Strategies ...…………………………………...………………..95 XI. Hazards Mitigation Introduction to Hazard Mitigation ………………………………………98 2014 HMP Strategic Goals ………………………………………….…100 Drought ………………………………………………………………...100 Wildfire …………………………………………………………...……101 Flash Floods ……………………………………………………………102 Dam Failure ………………………………………………...………….105 Human Caused Hazards ………………………………………………..110 Other Hazards ……………………………………...…………………..111 Goals & Strategies ...………………………………………………...…111 XII. Implementation Priority Strategies By Plan Element …………………………….…..…114 XIII. Appendix ………………………………………………………………………118 5 INTRODUCTION The Comprehensive Plan is a public document adopted by the County of Rio Arriba to provide guidance in decision-making regarding the health, safety, quality of life and infrastructure development of its residents. The Comprehensive Plan, uses words and graphics to illustrate 5-20 year community planning strategies, bridging the gap between where Rio Arriba is today and its projected future. Community needs have been determined through input provided by residents, business owners, property owners and other stakeholders at public meetings. The plan identifies the major goals and strategies to be used in future planning. The Comprehensive Plan identifies a County-wide community mission and vision incorporated into seven planning elements. Elements of the Plan include Natural Resources, Land Use, Economic Development, Housing, Community Facilities & Infrastructure, Transportation, and Hazard Mitigation. Each element consists of a set of goals and implementation strategies. The Plan is a “living” document that is intended to be updated every five (5) years and amended every two (2) years as programs and regulations are implemented and conditions within the County change and evolve. The 2008 Rio Arriba County Comprehensive Plan was funded through a planning grant provided by the Local Government Division of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration. The Rio Arriba County Comprehensive Plan was amended and adopted in July of 2010 and is now being amended and adopted in 2015. This revision will keep the planning document for the county on track for any potential funding opportunities at the State and Federal level. 6 MISSION "PROTECTING WHAT'S YOURS" Rio Arriba County will use its constitutional powers to provide for the safety, preserve the health, promote the prosperity and improve the morals, order, comfort and convenience of the inhabitants of Rio Arriba County. VISION Rio Arriba County is a unique rural area where generations of families have chosen to live and new neighbors arrive every day. By encouraging quality education and diverse economic opportunities, Rio Arriba County will enhance and strengthen our traditional land-based communities, customs and cultures to improve our quality of life and facilitate an efficient and effective development process that supports economic development. We will develop housing, education and business-friendly environments that create prosperity and a bright future for our youth. Irrigated agriculture will protect our precious water and natural resources by recharging critical ground water supplies, fostering lush riparian areas and providing life to the people, crops and fiber of the county. We will move toward a future where we, our children and our grandchildren can find their own path, perhaps along an acequia, and feel the sense of place we have today. 2012 Rio Arriba County Fair 7 COMMUNITY PROFILE HISTORY In prehistoric times, Rio Arriba County was home to people who relied on the natural game, fish and the rivers of the region. Some prehistoric settlement sites are associated with mining Cerro Pedernal for chert which was used to make arrow points and other tools.