Las Cruces residents unhappy to learn their property lines are 5 feet shorter than they thought

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - For almost 50 years, Rosi Padilla said she has called 1933 Bellamah Drive her home.

However, as the city prepares a massive renovation of the road, Padilla told ABC-7 that she learned that her property line is five feet closer to her house than she originally thought.

“I’m not happy at all," Padilla said. “They’re taking like five feet out of my property.”

According to the city, that land never belonged to Padilla. The deputy director of the Public Works Department told ABC-7 that surveyors examined the neighborhood, informing property owners that their homes had fences or rock walls that were built on city property. He said the city will pay to relocate fences or rock walls.

“We had the city survey staff go out there and verify all the property boundaries," explained Tony Treviño, the department's deputy director. “There are some fences and rock walls that were built inside city right of way, so at the city’s expense, we’ll actually remove it and relocate it within the resident boundary.”

Treviño urged the community to be patient with the project, which he called very necessary for the neighborhood. He said the pavement is in poor condition and the underground utilities are old, with pipes that have asbestos.

“This is a very needed improvement to that area," Treviño said. "Not only do we have concerns with the road utilities, but also access to ADA. The sidewalks are narrow."

Padilla welcomes the improvement to the road, but she says she wishes she didn't have to shorten the size of her yard.

“I don’t see the point," she said. "Why should we lose our property?"