Controversy Erupts in Corrales Over Proposed Changes to Comprehensive Plan

Published December 5th, 2024 at 3:32 pm, Last Updated December 6th, 2024 at 10:58 am

The Village of Corrales is at the heart of a heated debate after the administration proposed changes to the comprehensive plan — a 10-year blueprint for the village’s future — that triggered community backlash.

Tensions flared when the administration unveiled an alternate version of the comprehensive plan at the Nov. 20 Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission meeting, deviating from the one crafted by the Comprehensive Plan Committee. Critics claim the administration disregarded the committee’s efforts and raised transparency concerns after omitting more than 100 action items.

“It was really a slap in the face, I think, to the volunteers and to the people who have really given their all to try to fashion the best plan they could possibly think of,” former village councilor Fred Hashimoto said.

While the proposal has since been withdrawn, lingering concerns about the process and transparency persist as the plan undergoes further review.

“The Village Administration does not write the plan; the community does. The Village Administration does not correct the plan because it is the community’s plan,” said Jeff Radford, founder and publisher emeritus of the Corrales Comment. 

The seven-person Comprehensive Plan Committee was formed in 2023 with the approval of resolution 23-19 by the village council. The committee was tasked with developing the plan and presenting it to the council for adoption. 

“I have been personally involved in every master plan or Comprehensive Plan that has been produced for Corrales,” Radford said. “This latest plan is far and away the best, both in terms of final product and in terms of process.”

According to Hashimoto, the administration retracted their plan due to residents contacting councilors and the mayor to express their frustration. 

However, he said the administration stipulated the P&Z must review and approve the plan before it could move forward to the council. The administration cites New Mexico state statute 3-19-9, which mandates a planning commission to prepare and adopt plans like the comprehensive plan, asserting that P&Z is responsible for fulfilling that role.

“This is a curveball too,” Hashimoto said. “Because the original resolution said the committee was to do the plan and to present to the council.” 

Critics, including Hashimoto, contend that P&Z functions primarily as a zoning commission and lacks the expertise or capacity for long-term planning.

“Our (Planning and Zoning Commission) will review the plan as drafted by the Comprehensive Plan Committee being led by Chris Allen,” Corrales Councilor John Alsobrook said via email. “PZC will make recommendations on the content, which may or may not be acted on by Allen’s committee for their final draft. The Village Council will approve the final version of the plan, and as Councilors we can accept/deny/amend any version that is brought to us for final adoption.”

According to Alsobrook, master plans are advisory documents, meaning municipalities are not legally required to follow them. This distinguishes them from ordinances or laws, which are binding.

“This is a planning document and nothing is written in stone,” Mayor James Fahey told the Comment in an email. “It will be considered in future ordinances and development that is why P&Z is looking at it.”

According to Hashimoto, the administration “gutted” approximately 155 community-driven action items and suggestions from the original document, only leaving the visions and goals in the document.

He said the administration particularly opposed the planning aspect of the plan, including the proposal to establish a Village Department of Community Planning and Project Management.

“The committee felt it was important, and I think a lot of residents, including myself, think it’s important because planning in the village tends to be hodgepodge and piecemeal,” Hashimoto said.

According to the Comprehensive Plan, the goal of creating a Department of Community Planning and Project Management would be to address community needs. The department would improve communication, support projects, work with volunteer committees and uphold community values outlined in the plan.

Hashimoto said there was talk in the community about attempting to recall the mayor, but since Corrales is not a Home Rule municipality, a recall is not possible. However, there was strong sentiment among some residents about rebuking or censoring the mayor, as many were angry over the actions taken by the administration.

The plan will go to the Planning and Zoning Commission, which has two work-study sessions scheduled. The first session will be at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 before the regular P&Z meeting. 

Hashimoto said the committee is expected to attend, despite not being listed in the notice. He remains hopeful that P&Z will support the creation of a planning and project management department, and is waiting to see how the process unfolds.