Win Some/Lose Some

The best news from the City Council this past Tuesday was their decision to find a solution for preserving the 26 acres near Scenic and the 623 acres near Hondo Pass. Apparently a short term lease will be worked out at this point while the City finds a buyer who will preserve these portions of the Franklin Mountains as open space. The ideal will be to see that it all becomes part of the Franklin Mountains State Park.

Dave Wilson of the Borderland Mountain Bike Association already see possibilities for developing good hike and bike trails in the area near Hondo Pass. In an email to Association members, Wilson wrote:

"This area is at the top of Hondo Pass and already has some gnarly jeep roads. Jen and I have been eyeballing some routes through the area but have been hesitant to put in the effort since it is private land. This area would allow access into another stash of future trails which would be very close to town."

City Council did fail to downzone PSB land to Rural-Farm designation from R-3. In effect, the decision was tabled for a joint decision by the PSB and City Council.

Council also unanimously agreed to send a letter to Representative Joe Moody for his meeting with the General Land Office. Moody contacted City lobbyist, Sylvia Firth. She recommended that a letter coming from City Council similar to the letter drafted by Open Space Board members would make a better impression with the GLO. We shall see how close their letter will be to the original drafted by Charlie Wakeem and others on the OSAB.