The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9 voted to defer two agenda items tied to the South Coors Boulevard sector development plan for 60 days, scheduling the matter to return to the zoning hearing on Nov. 18.

Commissioner Frank Baca moved to defer both items for 60 days; the motion was seconded and passed on a 5-0 vote. The board then held an informal public-comment period—by unanimous consent—to hear eight speakers who urged preservation of longstanding agricultural parcels, raised safety concerns about Coors Boulevard and questioned potential housing density near Blake Road.

Why it matters: The deferred items would apply new sector-plan zoning along the Coors Boulevard corridor in the South Valley, touching several parcels that residents and owners say have been farmed by families for generations. Supporters say the plan concentrates redevelopment along Coors Boulevard and could improve transit access and neighborhood amenities; opponents say rezoning risks displacement, gentrification and traffic impacts near schools.

Residents who own two adjoining parcels at 3433 and 3437 Blake Road Southwest asked the commission to exclude those lots from an activity-center boundary and leave them zoned A-1 (agricultural). Jerry Noble, president of the Blake Road Neighborhood Association and a member of the sector plan steering committee, told commissioners: "I support the request that the 2 properties at 3433 Blake Road Southwest be removed from the boundaries of the Blake Road activity center." Noble added that he supports the sector plan's goal of concentrating development on Coors Boulevard and said the plan "must respect the character of adjacent neighborhoods."

Property owners Virginia Garcia and Mark Garcia, speaking for the Garcia family trust, said the land at 3433 and 3437 Blake Road has been farmed by their family for four generations and urged the board to keep the parcels zoned A-1. Virginia Garcia said the rezoning "represents a step towards gentrification and displacement of our longstanding Hispanic and native New Mexican family." Mark Garcia asked the commission to "affirm that our land at 3433 and 3437 Blake remain A-1 agricultural and are not part of this development plan."

Other residents echoed neighborhood, traffic and outreach concerns. Margie Chavez, who lives on Blake Road, said she and other neighbors learned of the proposal only days before the meeting and asked for more notice so more residents can participate. Tony Barboa said traffic near local schools is already heavy and warned additional development "is gonna get worse" and could create safety risks.

Some speakers supported the sector-plan zoning. Aaron Hill, a transportation planner with the Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MRMPO), said the plan aligns with regional transportation policy and "takes on the vital task of placemaking in the South Valley," adding it would support more frequent transit service and a mix of housing types to address the region's housing needs. Property owner Armando Hernandez said rezoning would allow him to clean up and reuse a vandalized property and improve neighborhood conditions.

Process and schedule: The board clarified that the 60-day deferral will return the items to the Nov. 18 zoning meeting for a full presentation and a formal public hearing. Commissioners and staff encouraged speakers to continue submitting comments to the planning department; Director Ham advised the public to use the department's group email at planning@bernco.gov for questions and comments.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the minutes of the Aug. 19 special zoning meeting and separately approved two 60-day deferrals related to the South Coors Boulevard sector development plan. Each action passed on a 5-0 vote; individual roll-call votes were not read into the record.

What comes next: The planning department will return with the full presentation and a formal public hearing on Nov. 18, when the commission will take formal public testimony and again consider any proposed rezoning and boundary changes. Residents asked that county staff and commissioners work to improve notification and community engagement during the deferral period.