Action Nears on Plan El Paso; Preservation of Scenic Corridor Next

We are down to two meetings about Plan El Paso, the City’s Comprehensive Plan Re-Write:

Public Service Board (PSB)

Monday, March 5, 2012, 5:00 p.m. 1154 Hawkins Blvd. (Map)

Not only will they discuss the Comprehensive Plan Re-write (Plan El Paso) but the NW Master Plan/Scenic Corridor issue.

City Council

Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 8:30 a.m., 2^nd Floor City Hall

Some final tweaking is going on but it looks like final passage by the City Council is better than just a good bet.  Still it is very important that supporters of new urbanism for El Paso attend the PSB meeting this coming Monday and then the City Council meeting on Tuesday morning. It is very important to attend Monday evening’s PSB meeting because they will, along with taking action on the Comprehensive Plan, recommend a course of action for the NW Master Plan and the preservation of the Scenic Transmountain Corridor. (Monday’s PSB Agenda)  More on this in a moment.

Plan El Paso should be adopted because there are clear economic advantages to be had by all El Pasoans including developers.  Additionally, the Plan favors the preservation of natural open spaces and encourages downtown revitalization and infill over sprawl. Simply looking at building vacancies in El Paso makes the argument for infill over sprawl.  There is some question about language added to the document that suggests that the PSB is Trustee rather than just a land manager. The overwhelming evidence suggests that the PSB not only is not a Trust but, under Texas State Law cannot be a trust. Trust or No Trust – that is the question.

City Council will probably take action to adopt Plan El Paso at its meeting on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it is Item #13 on the Agenda so it is hard to predict exactly what time Council will get to it.  Nevertheless, those who favor the new plan should plan to attend if able. Nothing should be taken for granted. If I hear anything new before Tuesday, I will post it at elpasonaturally.

A tentative schedule for taking action on the NW Master Plan and the Scenic Transmountain Corridor is now available. Mark your calendars. That schedule includes Monday’s special PSB meeting – a critical/must attend meeting beginning at 5 p.m. Elpasonaturally has learned that Mr. Archuleta has been actively opposing preservation and wants to build, build, build on both sides of Transmountain. One can only hope that PSB members will keep just a few things in mind. No-build was clearly the unanimous choice of those who participated in January’s hands-on session led by Dover Kohl. This is no small group. The PSB itself contributed one-half of the cost for Dover Kohl to do an update of the NW Master Plan and to recommend scenarios that include preserving the Scenic Transmountain Corridor. That was a significant but well-made investment. Members of the PSB are bright people. They can see that land sales are a tiny portion of revenue and really have nothing to do with rates. They can also see what the elephant in the room really is: El Paso has more land than water and conserving land along the Scenic Corridor will only tend to increase the value of the lands that they will continue to manage.  The land in question is inexpedient. It is not useful to the functions of the utility namely water and/or waste water. El Pasoans do not gain by further sprawl – in fact, they lose financially because of the ongoing expenses that they will be burdened with: maintenance on infrastructure, essential services such as fire and police, schools and so forth. Adopting a plan that preserves the Scenic Corridor in perpetuity makes good sense.

Bottom line: keep your eye on the ball. As we transition from action on Plan El Paso to action on the NW Master Plan and Scenic Corridor, stay positive and vigilant.

Finally, not really a brag but a word of humble gratitude: I was given the Conservation Award by the Trans-Pecos El Paso Audubon Society. I received that award because I stand on the shoulders of/and cheer lead for giants who tirelessly work for conservation: John Sproul, Charlie Wakeem, Richard Teschner, Judy Ackerman, Phil Goodell, Maria Trunk, Chuck Kooshian, Lois Balin, Helen Bigelow, Peter Best, Wynn Anderson – and others who have received the award.  These are the real heroes and I am so proud that I may call many of them friends.