ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Community groups and neighbors are once again pleading with Albuquerque City Councilors to put a stop to the development of a film studio near the Petroglyphs in west side Albuquerque.
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The groups argue the plans are being rushed without enough input from the community. “How are you adversely affected?” said Councilor Dan Lewis, City of Albuquerque.
Albuquerque city councilors questioned the designated representative who was urging the development of Mesa Film Studios, set to be built at Double Eagle II Airport, to be put to a stop. “The issue here is upholding the provisions of the IDO,” said Jane Baechle, Designated Representative for appellants.
The IDO, or the Integrated Development Ordinance, is what governs the land use and development within the city of Albuquerque.
The appellants are made up of the West Side Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, Santa Fe Village Neighborhood Association, and the Native American Voters Alliance. “Our concerns include the financial sustainability of the project, airport safety, design standards, and open space protections,” said Baechle.
A Land Use Hearing Officer or the “LUHO” provided a report outlining the problems the project presents, of which the studio representatives oppose. “We disagree with his conclusion that the uses approved by the EPC as a part of the film studio facility cannot be allowed as accessory uses,” said a representative of Mesa Films Studio.
Accessory uses would be a way in which the property is used beyond its primary purpose. They said it obstructs the view for residents and those enjoying the Petroglyph National Monument. They argued the new building would not compare to the current structures in place.
One councilor questioned if the appellants had any basis to make the complaints.”They are both lower in height and much more distant than the immediate area of the Petroglyph monument. They’re absolutely visible, but the effect would not be comparable,” said Baechle.
The $80 million project would create 30 internal job positions, and through productions, studio representatives estimate it would bring in 1,200 jobs a year on the 60-acre plot of land. “This in addition to the movie studio, this is just going to be an important part of creating and helping with that jobs to housing imbalance on the westside,” said Councilor Klarissa Peña.
The vote on the appeal was deferred to further analyze the complaints and will be considered during the next city council meeting.