Developers of massive East Mesa project pledge to donate land for as many schools as necessary

Developers of a proposed 6,000-acre project on Las Cruces’ East Mesa pledged during a public hearing today to donate land, where the purchase of cheap public land isn’t an option, for as many schools as are needed.

The current plan calls for the donation of land for four schools. Following a long dialogue, Kirk Clifton, representing the developers, said the group will donate land for as many schools as are needed in the area, if public land isn’t available.

The school district can buy public land for only a few dollars per acre, but within the development, the land will be owned by the company constructing the project.

Assuming public land isn’t available, “we will donate land for every school that is needed within this area,” Clifton said.

The pledge came after Stan Rounds, interim Las Cruces Public Schools superintendent, said if 20,000 homes are built, the district will need approximately one high school, three middle schools and nine elementary schools. The number of homes in the development will depend on future density approvals but is estimated to most likely be 25,000 to 30,000.

Rounds left the meeting before Clifton made that pledge clear, but said earlier in the meeting that he appreciates the developers’ attempts to work with the district.

“The developer has been very good at dealing with us on these initial (four) sites,” Rounds said.

Clifton said the developers and school district aren’t certain all schools needed to accommodate the development’s residents would be located in the development, but said the developers will work with the district to determine that. Clifton also said the developers are willing to donate land for charter schools.

Concern about land for schools was one of the major topics of the lengthy meeting.

Today’s was the first meeting at which the council discussed the massive project that could double or triple the city’s size. Votes on whether to approve the annexation of 4,200 acres that aren’t yet in the city and a master plan for the overall development are scheduled for a week from today.

Also at the meeting, city Manager Terrence Moore announced that he will oversee a public meeting on Friday from 3-7 p.m. at the city council chambers. The developers and at least some city councilors will attend to gather input.

That wasn’t good enough for some critics of the development. Steve Fischmann, representing a group that wants more input into the process, urged the delaying of a vote to allow time for more. He suggested a two-month public-input process.

“We’re talking about participation. This is not a stalling tactic. We’re not trying to stop anything,” he said.

But city staffers told the council the deadline for acting on the annexation request is at the beginning of May, so it’s unlikely the council will do anything other than approve or deny the request next week.