DONATE TO THE WSCONA LEGAL FUND

Your donations to help fight land use corruption make a difference!

Please make a contribution via Zelle to:

wsconalegalfund@gmail.com

Or donate old-school style. Checks can be made out to:

West Side Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, Inc.
Please mail to:
PO Box 67511, Albuquerque, NM 87193-6105

THE WSCONA LEGAL FUND WAS CREATED BECAUSE:

WSCONA is a collection of neighborhood associations (NAs), homeowner associations (HOAs), and other residents in neighborhoods that no longer have or never had a neighborhood association. It informs members about city, county, and state policies, as well as local developments, and invites law enforcement, elected officials, and community leaders to provide updates, present policy agendas, and receive feedback. It also advocates for the wise use of taxpayer funds to meet community needs. The City had recognized WSCONA for over a decade. During that time, it received notices of proposed development projects within or near its boundaries and passed them to its members, including HOAs that otherwise receive no notification. WSCONA often attends meetings and hearings on proposed developments, especially when they do not comply with existing regulations protecting neighborhood livability and the community as a whole. It also offers alternative suggestions for improving those projects. On rare occasions, when a development falls outside the city's rules and regulations, or when the City fails to abide by its own laws in granting approval, WSCONA undertakes administrative or legal action to resolve the issue. Neighbors and neighborhood associations usually bring these concerns because government oversight failed or is unresponsive to them individually.

Our Policies

The issues we and other coalitions have opposed include policies that would make it harder for young families to buy a home of their own, create a permanent rental class forced to pay ever more to hedge fund-controlled landlords, and keep the people from having a say in whether we want data centers in our city.

We Oppose

The City and sometimes the County ignore the need to ensure our community has enough water, disregard concerns over rising heat and fire danger, high-density cookie-cutter commercial development in historic neighborhoods, and squandering the cultural heritage of our area that contributes to our economy (tourists are not interested in another city full of generic strip malls and drive-throughs).

Government Corruption

The City of Albuquerque has lost repeatedly in New Mexico Courts over these issues. The City Council Majority and Mayor ignored the courts' rulings and legislated more unlawful and unconstitutional regulations. If standing up for community values stated in the City and County Comprehensive Plans and environmental protections developed over decades makes us NIMBYs, so be it, but we have never opposed actual affordable housing projects; in fact, we supported them.

Our Prior Advocacy

1. The Walmart proposed for Coors and Montano: 2011- 2013: WSCONA supported Taylor Ranch Neighborhood Association (TRNA) and surrounding neighborhoods' efforts to oppose the Walmart, a large retail facility proposed for Coors and Montano, adjacent to the Bosque's Rio Grande Valley State Park and Bosque School. It did not meet the Coors Corridor Sector development plan, the Goals and Policies of the Comp Plan, the Westside Strategic Plan, or the Big Box Ordinance. As a result, a more appropriate shopping center was later approved that is more walkable for the surrounding Community and provides a variety of businesses, including a Sprouts, PetSmart, LaCumbre Brewing, Grassburger, etc...
2. Poole Property: 2018- 2021: Adjacent to the Rio Grande Bosque and Oxbow wetlands, the Poole property is another example of WSCONA supporting Taylor Ranch Neighborhood Association and surrounding neighborhoods in opposing a subdivision that did not adhere to the IDO's protective zoning requirements. Development of this area would have created numerous problems for existing homeowners and had subdivision infrastructure plans that directly impacted the sensitive nature of the wetlands. Because of the Community's involvement, this area was ultimately acquired as City Open Space after working with the applicants. The Poole property now provides needed protection for the Bosque, preserves fantastic views, and creates an opportunity for residents to enjoy a beautiful natural setting with abundant wildlife.
3. Saranam: 2020: WSCONA also joined Taylor Ranch Neighborhood Association's support for Saranam. This two-year transitional living facility helps families avoid homelessness and become sustainable after attending a rigorous 2 year education program to prepare them for an independent life.
4. La Cuentista Open Space: WSCONA joined with Taylor Ranch Neighborhood Association to advocate for the purchase of 60 acres of La Cuentista Open Space. This land buffers the Petroglyph escarpment and preserves the culturally important view shed, rock outcroppings, wildlife, and juniper forest within those boundaries, while providing recreational trails for nearby residents and visitors alike.
5. The Integrated Development Ordinance or IDO Amendments (City of Albuquerque zoning regulations): WSCONA has testified about why it is important to maintain zoning protections that help make Albuquerque a unique and fun place to live. The City Council has increasingly made zoning changes without time for community input, often on the night of the decision. WSCONA has been involved in numerous meetings and thousands of hours regarding the IDO (the zoning regulations) amendment process. Since the zoning regulation was enacted in 2017, there have been more than 700 amendments—which is an absurd number—and most of these amendments have been requested by developers to allow more generic construction without reflecting the local character, cultural heritage, or historic styles for which Albuquerque is known and which help attract tourists from around the world.