Commission approves Santa Milagro final plat; neighbors raise safety concerns about unimproved curve on Peter Hurd/George Catlin Road

The Doña Ana County Commission approved the final plat for the Santa Milagro subdivision, a 91‑acre Type 2 project with 38 lots, at its July 8 meeting after public comment raised safety and maintenance concerns about an unimproved curve on Peter Hurd/George Catlin Road.

County planner Christina Ainsworth presented the final plat and said infrastructure adjacent to the subdivision has been installed and inspected; the county will accept the new roads for maintenance after a one‑year warranty period. Several neighbors testified in opposition or with concerns. Don Pyle told the commission the curve on Peter Hurd near the development remains unpaved and represents the most dangerous section of the stretch; he said residents had been told the developer would finish paving when houses were sold but that the county indicated it would not complete that section. Alan Murray and John Jackson, who live on adjoining George Catlin Road, said they were worried about the change from the original development expectations and asked whether covenants limiting types of housing (site‑built only) had been filed.

Developer representative Chad Veil (Royal Properties) said the subdivision covenants require site‑built homes of 1,900 square feet or more and that the company does not intend to build along Peter Hurd. County staff explained the paved section the developer completed is the portion adjacent to the subject property and that any unimproved portion beyond that falls outside the developer’s required frontage improvements; consequently that remaining curve remains private and is not currently county‑maintained. Commissioners discussed the safety implications and possible next steps, including obtaining cost estimates from the county road department and considering future workshop discussion on private road sections that affect public safety and emergency egress. The final plat motion carried on roll call.