The massive Santolina master planned community on the far southwest side of Albuquerque may eventually also be the home to both a solar farm and landfill.
Western Albuquerque Land Holdings, the company developing a project that is expected to see the construction of more than 38,000 homes, has petitioned the Bernalillo County Planning Commission to allow for up to 6,400 acres of the site to be devoted to a solar farm.
The company also hopes to win approval for the creation of a landfill that would comprise some 300 acres.
Both projects would be developed on the site via special-use permits.
Plans for the 13,700-acre Santolina project were approved by members of the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners in the summer of 2015, after weeks of contentious debate sparked by opponents who said the development, with a town center and several business parks, would have a damaging impact on the metro area’s water supply.
The project, which is expected to take up to 50 years to fully build out, has since been the subject of extended litigation.
Western Albuquerque Land Holdings has previously been unsuccessful in trying to obtain approval from the planning commission to build the solar farm and landfill as a form of interim land use.
The company had planned to make a presentation to the planning commission on June 2, but instead asked for a two-month deferral allowing it to reschedule for that body’s August 17 meeting.
By Garry Boulard
