Preliminary plat clears site infrastructure for proposed Sandoval County animal shelter in Bernalillo

Sandoval County’s plan to locate an animal shelter outside Bernalillo advanced on Sept. 3, 2024, when the Town of Bernalillo Planning & Zoning Commission approved a preliminary plat (PP24-001) for a 22.61-acre site at 400 S. Hill Road.

Robert Demeule, a registered civil engineer with Huitt Zollars working as the county’s consultant, said the county’s immediate objective is to construct backbone infrastructure — roadway (to be named Vista Sandia Court), sanitary sewer, stormwater controls, sidewalks and water services — so a future shelter site plan can be built. Demeule said the design emphasizes minimizing slopes and providing on-site stormwater retention "to capture discharge from the specific dog pound site." He also said the project uses Town of Bernalillo standard construction details where appropriate.

The commission approved the preliminary plat with several conditions, including: a Town right-of-way permit for work within public right-of-way on South Hill Road prior to construction; filing a final plat or financial guarantee per subdivision ordinance requirements; completion of a zone map amendment if Lot 2 will contain a public facility; documented water-rights transfers or water budget applications; required floodplain or elevation certificates if development triggers regulation; and standard building-permit and business registration steps.

Commissioners and the applicant emphasized erosion control and construction oversight; the county plans to provide inspectors and to coordinate stormwater and grading measures during construction. The preliminary-plat approval moves the project into final-planning and permitting stages administered by county and town review processes.