Group wants to protect Franklins from developers

group of el pasoans wants to protect nearly 200 acres west of edgar park and magnetic street. that’s the area in green here on this map. residents are working to prevent a developer from building more than 300 homes there! abc-seven’s complete coverage continues live. … with reporter stephanie guadian. rick– some twenty people spoke at today’s city council meeting— asking members to take action. they want the city to buy the property and preserve it as open space,. this is drone video of the area planned for development. it was shot last year by derek spear. he’s a member of “sav our sierras,” a frankli mountains wilderness coalition committee. the group was formed in an effort to preserve the mountains and keep the land undeveloped. at today’s city council meeting— the group said saving the franklins is an important move for all of el paso. despite a petion signed by more than a thousand people, the city’s plan commission approved the development plans and will recommend city council approve the construction. the developer, daniel knapp, has the legal right to build. but opponents argue the city could take action to please everyone involved. melissa kirkham says: “as cit council members, you have an opportunity to purchase this the knapp land for open space. there is money in quality of life of life bond for open space. and the knapp land owners have expressed a willingness to sell.” rep. carl robinson: “we are workin on it. we have been working on it. and at the appropriate time, everything that we can do legally.. we are going to do that.” northeast representative robinson reminded the group the city cannot just go and take the people’s land. we’re still waiting to learn when the developer’s plan will come before city council for a final vote. rick– for the last week, abc-seven updated you on the city of el paso wanting to crack down