Las Cruces resident Sarah Smith has voiced concerns regarding the potential impact of Realize Las Cruces on local neighborhoods. She articulated her views in a December 17 opinion piece published in the New Mexico Sun.
"This is basically the end of single family zoning for the City, as there will no longer be any neighborhoods that allow only homes," said Smith, Co-leader. "People will no longer have any guarantee that they can live in a quiet neighborhood away from the traffic and noise of apartments and businesses."
"Currently, most neighborhoods in the City are zoned so that only houses are allowed, unless they’re nearby to a busy road where apartments and businesses are allowed. However, with the adoption of Realize Las Cruces, that would change to allow apartment complexes and businesses in neighborhoods. The size of the apartment complex allowed would vary depending on the neighborhood, ranging from 16 dwellings per acre up to 60 dwellings per acre," Smith wrote.
Smith further explained that with a special permit, grocery stores, cafes, mobile homes, libraries, and museums could be established in all neighborhoods. Additionally, retail stores and gas stations might also be permitted under similar conditions.
"People will no longer have any guarantee that they can live in a quiet neighborhood away from the traffic and noise of apartments and businesses. The increased traffic may be especially problematic for the safety of families with young children and the elderly," she said.
Realize Las Cruces is currently in its third stage of updating the city's land development plans. According to a press release from the City of Las Cruces, the final document is expected to be ready for potential adoption by the City Council on February 18, 2025. During a work session held on December 9, city staff, community members, representatives from the New Mexico Construction Association, and members of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission discussed various aspects such as roadway cross sections, park dedication, outdoor lighting, and land use restrictions.
Smith serves as co-leader of the New Mexico Freedoms Alliance—a non-partisan statewide grassroots coalition—and Vice Chair of the Coalition of Conservatives in Action in Las Cruces. She is also a homeschooling mother of two teenagers, a natural healthcare practitioner, and a former NASA aerospace engineer.
