Council rejects proposal to protect city-owned lands from development

El Paso City Council voted to reject a proposed ordinance requiring the City to protect from development all city owned public lands, which include Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 12 in Northwest El Paso.

A group of homeowners collected thousands of signatures on petitions asking city leaders to reconsider an earlier vote approving TIRZ 12 for development.

Five city representatives voted to continue with plans to develop the area. City Representatives Peter Svarzbein, Alexsandra Annello and Henry Rivera voted to preserve the area.

Council members heard comments from the public, once again asking them to protect areas like the “Lost Dog Trail” in Northwest El Paso, situated at the base of the Franklin mountains.

Rick Bonart, who heads groups trying to protect the area from development, says they are already in the process of collecting a second set of signatures. The plan is to turn those petitions over to the city clerk in hopes of having the question on a ballot for voters to decide.

“I think there’s overwhelming support for this,” Bonart said, “I am absolutely confident that once the general public is allowed to weigh in – the decision will be reversed.”

TIRZ 12 includes about 1,000 acres of open space in the northwestern part of the city. The western boundary is Land Rush Street, the southern boundary is Cabana Del Sol Drive, the northern boundary is just north of Transmountain Road and the eastern boundary is adjacent to the Franklin Mountains State Park.

Jessica Herrera, the City of El Paso’s economic development director, told ABC-7 tax revenue that would be collected in the TIRZ helps address things like sidewalk improvements and storm water drainage. This makes the land more attractive to retailers and developers. 33 percent of the tax funds generated within the TIRZ will stay within that area, while 66 percent would go back into the City’s general fund.

The City told ABC-7 that if the city clerk authenticates all the signatures required on that second petition drive, Council must then order an election to take place for a vote on TIRZ 12.