Development Ponds Are Protecting What Is Downstream

We've talked much about Arroyo 41A as it relates to the Jobe Quarry on GLO land by the State Park. There is far more to this story - especially as it goes downstream to the proposed developments of Desert Springs, Enchanted Hills, and 118 acres of land at the intersection of I-10 and Transmountain. 18 acres at the northeast corner of I-10 and Transmountain is owned by Transmountain Investors. Just to the north of this corner is a 100 acre parcel owned by George Gary Duncan, Atty. - George Gary Duncan Profit Sharing Plan, Santa Fe, NM.

Today let's focus on the land just to the east of those 118 acres: Enchanted Hills which is being developed by Doug Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz recently went to the City of El Paso's CPC to get approval on the platting of a portion of that property. (See the CPC agenda, major preliminaries 2 and 3. Be sure to review the attachments.) The issue will go back to the CPC now that the Open Space Advisory Board has reviewed it. In essence, Schwartz is changing the land study and staff and Open Space agree that his request should be denied.

During the March 22, 2010 Open Space Board meeting, Chairman Charlie Wakeem gave a slideshow presentation which led to the conclusion that Enchanted Hills Plats 1 & 2 should be denied. (Go here to see the full slideshow.)

But more was revealed than just the reasons for denying the plats. Two large ponds created inside of Arroyo 41A, are not for the drainage from the development (water would have to flow uphill), they seem to have been designed to protect the flooding of commercial property at the corner of Transmountain and I-10. Rather than creating a design that preserves the arroyo, the developers (along with City Engineers such as our old friend Kareem "Concrete" Dallo) are striving to protect commercial interests.

One of the large ponds in Enchanted Hills was originally claimed as open space under the Desert Springs study. The land was transferred to Schwartz by O'Leary so it could no longer be a required open space. In it goes a pond. Farther down on the Schwartz Enchanted Hills property is another pond. So much for Arroyo 41A.

City Engineers argue that the massive flooding west of I-10 during the 2006 storm were the result of uncontrolled flow from 41A. It may be more the case that 41A to the west of I-10 was forced to meet up with several other arroyos. On top of that, maintenance on culverts that was the responsibility of the State of Texas was not done. It wasn't 41A that caused the flooding; it was the alteration to the flow paths and the lack of maintenance to the culverts! Thus, the ponding at Enchanted Hills isn't necessary and can only be necessary if what is being protected is the commercial property on the NE corner of I-10 and Transmountain.

What about all of the owners of these developments - commercial and residential. One source tells me that Doug Schwartz of Foster Schwartz Development owns not just Enchanted Hills but Desert Springs with Randy O'Leary. And who are some of the investors in the George Gary Duncan Profit Sharing Plan? Don't know - but I bet I could venture a guess.