City considers annexing 8,400 acres on West Mesa

Las Cruces city councilors are set to begin considering today what would be the largest annexation in the city’s history.

The proposed Kennon annexation includes almost 8,400 acres of land on the West Mesa of the city. While most annexations are sought by developers, this annexation proposal was initiated by the city.

Mayor Bill Mattiace has pushed for years for development on the mostly desolate West Mesa, where land is cheaper than other areas and affordable housing is feasible. In addition, development on that side of the city helps with the plan to grow the city’s West Mesa Industrial Park and connect it with a bypass highway to Santa Teresa’s industrial park in the south and Spaceport America in the north.

The city also wants to be able to plan for future management of land around its airport.

Most of the land is administered by the Bureau of Land Management or owned by the state and city, the Las Cruces Sun-News is reporting.

The proposal will go through first reading when the council meets today at 1 p.m. The council must then wait 30 days before voting on the proposed annexation.

You can watch today’s meeting on the city’s Web site by clicking here.