A controversial land development that in 2007 helped spark the progressive takeover of the Las Cruces City Council isn\u2019t going to happen.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s according to the Las Cruces Sun-News, which reported on the situation this weekend. From the article<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cA 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\u2019s east side within 15 years.<\/p>\n \u201cCalled the Vistas at Presidio \u2013 I and II \u2013 the projects sought to expand the city\u2019s boundaries by 9 square miles, as well as master plan and zone the area in preparation for subdivisions.<\/p>\n \u201cThe economy and housing boom tumbled in late 2008, and construction never materialized.<\/p>\n \u201cThen, in October of this year, Philippou died at the age of 56.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The project apparently met its end long before Philippou\u2019s death. From the paper:<\/p>\n \u201cPhilippou 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\u2019s review.<\/p>\n \u201cHarry Relkin, general counsel for (Land Commissioner Ray) Powell, said the delinquent payment resulted in Philippou\u2019s Solo Investments defaulting on the 2,397-acre lease for the East Mesa.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018That one was canceled in December of last year for nonpayment,\u2019 he said Friday.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n In addition, there\u2019s this:<\/p>\n \u201cAlong 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.<\/p>\n \u201cBut there were conditions on much of the zoning and master plan in order to \u2018vest that development proposal,\u2019 said David Weir, director of community development for the city.<\/p>\n \u201cMore specifically, Philippou had to take action on the project by 2010.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018There needed to be either a preliminary plat or some kind of physical improvements \u2013 extending utilities or building a road \u2013 to vest,\u2019 he said. \u2018In this case, nothing took place.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cPhilippou 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n City Manager Robert Garza was quoted as saying the land remains in the city because the annexation can\u2019t be undone. \u201cBut if somebody wanted to go back and develop that, they\u2019d have to start over, essentially,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n As NMPolitics.net has documented, approval<\/a> 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\u2019s office by progressive-backed candidates who pledged slower and smarter growth (click here<\/a> and here<\/a>). Progressive-backed candidates retain the majority on the council and the mayor\u2019s office today.<\/p>\n His involvement with Philippou was also one of Republican Pat Lyons\u2019 biggest scandals<\/a> during his tenure at state land commissioner.<\/p>\n