Council kills most of SAD-7
By Eric Maddy
THE SCORE
The Rio Rancho Governing Body killed most of controversial Special Assessment District 7 Wednesday night, voting unanimously to go along with a recommendations formed by city staff to allow areas to opt in to flood control and infrastructure improvements rather than imposing assessments against property holders.
What has come to be known as area 7A from within the massive plan, estimated at one point to cost $70 million, had already been removed from the main plan almost two months ago. It will proceed as will a new SAD 8, a small section of about 100 properties at the northern end of the proposed district.
But the majority of the area, including the Los Rios and Chamiza Estates most damaged by unusual summer rains in 2007, will not be improved under an initial plan where property owners were told they would face an average fee of $13,500 per lot.
The council's reversal on the issue comes after months of public pressure, including a jam-packed Jan. 9 meeting where an estimated 1,200 people jammed City Hall, almost all to protest. The council chambers for Wednesday's meetings, including a special 3:30 session to hear public input, were never filled.
MORE TO COME.
