A controversial land development that in 2007 helped spark the progressive takeover of the Las Cruces City Council isn’t going to happen.
That’s according to the Las Cruces Sun-News, which reported on the situation this weekend. From the article:
“A massive subdivision proposed four years ago by developer Philip Philippou proved to be a flashpoint in Las Cruces, as residents contemplated his plan to add 30,000 new homes or more to the city’s east side within 15 years.
“Called the Vistas at Presidio – I and II – the projects sought to expand the city’s boundaries by 9 square miles, as well as master plan and zone the area in preparation for subdivisions.
“The economy and housing boom tumbled in late 2008, and construction never materialized.
“Then, in October of this year, Philippou died at the age of 56.”
The project apparently met its end long before Philippou’s death. From the paper:
“Philippou had become delinquent on the lease payments for the Vistas at Presidio land and a second proposed development north of U.S. Hwy. 70. About a year ago, he owed $336,000, including penalties and interest, to the State Land Office, according to a state auditor’s review.
“Harry Relkin, general counsel for (Land Commissioner Ray) Powell, said the delinquent payment resulted in Philippou’s Solo Investments defaulting on the 2,397-acre lease for the East Mesa.
“‘That one was canceled in December of last year for nonpayment,’ he said Friday.”
In addition, there’s this:
“Along with the lease with the State Land Office, the other major components of the project were annexation, zoning and master plan approvals given by the Las Cruces City Council in 2007.
“But there were conditions on much of the zoning and master plan in order to ‘vest that development proposal,’ said David Weir, director of community development for the city.
“More specifically, Philippou had to take action on the project by 2010.
“‘There needed to be either a preliminary plat or some kind of physical improvements – extending utilities or building a road – to vest,’ he said. ‘In this case, nothing took place.’
“Philippou did seek a one-year extension, allowed by city rules, and the city granted it, Weir said. But again, no action was taken to meet the conditions, and the extension expired this year.”
City Manager Robert Garza was quoted as saying the land remains in the city because the annexation can’t be undone. “But if somebody wanted to go back and develop that, they’d have to start over, essentially,” he said.
As NMPolitics.net has documented, approval of the massive and controversial development sparked concerns that the city was growing too quickly and helped lead to an overthrow of the city council and mayor’s office by progressive-backed candidates who pledged slower and smarter growth (click here and here). Progressive-backed candidates retain the majority on the council and the mayor’s office today.
His involvement with Philippou was also one of Republican Pat Lyons’ biggest scandals during his tenure at state land commissioner.
Read the full Sun-News article here.