San Marcos Association response to TriLeaf regarding the Cerrillos Cell Tower
SMA Letter to TRILEAF 05-15-20 (view the pdf)
May 15, 2020
Trileaf
Attn: Chad Sundol
Assistant Project Manager
2121 West Chandler Blvd., Suite 108
Chandler, AZ 85224
Dear Mr. Sundol:
On April 25, 2020, The San Marcos Association (SMA) first contacted you via email regarding your proposal to construct an 80′ monopine communications tower (Project # 0009038512) on a ridge above the village of Cerrillos, NM. In response, you sent an email on May 5, 2020, which included as an attachment a letter dated April 16, 2020, and which stated, should SMA wish to be considered a “consulting party,” that we should “respond within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter.” This communication meets the deadline of May 16, 2020 established in that letter. The San Marcos Association is a local Registered Organization, authorized under Section 2.2.3 of the Sustainable Land Development Code of Santa Fe County, NM. Its geographic area of advocacy includes the distinct but similarly named Santa Fe County San Marcos Planning District, the Village of Cerrillos, and the northernmost portion of the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (NSB). The San Marcos Association wishes to inform you of its current position regarding the proposed Diamond Towers V LLC Monopole communications tower by Trileaf.
The San Marcos Association opposes the proposed location for the communications tower and access road to lie within the Village of Cerrillos, within the Los Cerrillos Historic Mining District, near the entrance to Cerrillos Hills State Park, and in proximity to the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. While increased availability of communication service in this locale is beneficial for the local citizenry and important to safety concerns of the inhabitants and businesses in Cerrillos, we feel the proposed location and resulting visibility of the tower infringes upon the historic and cultural natures, the value, and viewshed of historic elements of the greater Cerrillos Mining District (State and National Register of Historic Places, #273, registered 1973). The tower’s proximity to and visibility from the Turquoise Trail NSB will also significantly detract from the scenic beauty and historic nature of the roadway, an important and culturally significant route between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and points south.
The Association wishes to receive all communications regarding this proposal, and will distribute that information to the community. We also respectfully request postponement of any proposed public meetings until after such meetings are approved by the New Mexico State Governor.