NIMBY Win, Property Owner Loss, House May be Demolished

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Rights of a property owner verse’s neighborhood what ifs May cause historical building to be demolished

A property at 1209 Ohio Avenue has been abandoned and derelict for 15 years. It had a yard maintained by a prior owner, but was abandoned, damaged and not livable in the present condition.

The property sold to an investment group that wanted to have the building zoned R4 consistent with other properties in the district from R3. This modification in zoning would have allowed the developer to preserve the look and feel of the exterior of the house yet make it palatable to invest the several 100 thousand required to make it livable and bring it to code.

The proposal for upgrade was presented at the last City Commission Meeting by investor Daniel Quijano. About 32 neighbors under the passioned pleas led by Angie Schneider and others opposed the change in zoning fearing if this developer did not follow through on his plans the abandoned property could be developed into a halfway house or other multiple family property.

Ms Schneider’s impassioned plea was submitted in writing to the commission stating, ”R-4 zones do not belong in the middle of our historic district. Opening up our neighborhood to the myriad of uses allowed under City Ordinance 29-03-240 will destroy the history and charm we so cherish and celebrate.

I recognize that as of the drafting of this letter there are two (2) R-4 zoned homes on the east and west corners of Ohio Avenue and 11th Street. But both of these homes are single family residences, one for over 40 years and the other is currently being renovated and restored to the beauty it once was - for single family use.

To my knowledge, there are no other R-4 zoned lots on our block or further north on
Ohio Avenue.

As for the property located at 1209 Ohio Avenue, it has not been cared for in any way for over a year. The yard is overgrown and littered with garbage. The owners have shown zero regard for our neighborhood and have no apparent ties to Otero County or Alamogordo, much less to our beloved historic neighborhood. Allowing the rezoning would be an affront to those of us who live here and care for our homes and this community.

I urge you to deny the requested rezoning of 1209 Ohio Avenue to R-4 zoning.

Mr. Quijano underestimated the potential uproar on the street from neighbors about modifications to the zoning.

Neighbors made impassioned pleas to the city commissioners and the mayor under the arguments of “Not in My Backyard” preferring an abandoned building and its risks to a potential use that is not consistent with their ideas of neighborhood character.

The cost for upgrades and the purchase price could end up close to $400,000 and the only way to recoup that expense per the development analysis was a R4 zoning change

The investor, Daniel Quijano, conducted an interview with Anthony Lucero for the AlamogordoTownNews.com’s radio edition on Krazy KALHRadio.org 95.1 after Tuesday’s Commission Meeting.

During that interview Mr. Quijano expressed his dismay and disappointment and said he “may be forced to demolish the structure and rebuild and replace in order to recover his investment” within the framework he now must operate. His goal was to preserve the character of the building but it may now be cost prohibitive. 

The building has been vacant and is one of many structures in the inner city neighborhoods that need rehabilitation. An opportunity was presented to do so. For 15 years neighbors could have acquired the property and worked toward its preservation but never did. 

Now they want the historic society or the city to acquire the building and preserve it. The owner is not opposed to that scenario.

The vote by the commission supporting the NIMBY initiative, sets a dangerous precedent, and signals an atmosphere not friendly to investment from outside Alamogordo that could help with the need for affordable housing and infill within the city center.

Stay tuned as the developer decides next steps to recover his investment. 

Listen to the post commission meeting interview conducted by Anthony Lucero of Krazy KALHradio.org 95.1 FM in the link below.. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xlDKCdYSitYLBYgEIADdc?si=-rxU4W5LQ2id…

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