Project Pages
Defining a Sustainable Community
Thinking about what a sustainable community means led us to create a definition to clarify our vision. You can learn more about that, and further information about what others are doing in the area of sustainable communities here.
An Evolutionary Process
Our method for creating a sustainable community is based on an evolutionary method that seems revolutionary to many. The fact is, it has a long tradition of use. Find out more about the first steps in the planning process and the evolutionary method.
The Master Plan
The owners intend to develop the property in tune with fabric of the local community. The County Comprehensive Plan of Rio Arriba County guided their approach. The Plan's emphasis on agriculture fits well with the owner's goal of creating a sustainable community. A focus on agriculture is reflected in the Land Use proposal as a result.
Master Plan Submission
The primary study the County requested was a Hydrology Study. That is now complete and available to the County. You can read more about the approval process and the status of our submission here.
Land Use Proposal
Our best estimate of the way things will break down is as follows:
Aerial of Development Area
- Land for Managed Grazing Program: 2,963 acres
- Cooperative Land: 1,282 acres
- Agriculture Zone for Greenhouses: 93 acres
- Residential Land: 405 acres
- EcoTourism Land:
Five 25 acres plots (part of cooperative land or open rangeland)
Total 4,743 acres
FURTHER DETAILS:
1. MANAGED GRAZING PROGRAM: 2,963 acres: The entire southern half of the property (see Maps) and much of the northern half, particularly large pastures, will be managed for grazing and wildlife habitat. (Managed grazing link). Yellow Hills Ranch intends to incorporate the Monero Mustangs into its grazing program.
2. COOPERATIVE LAND: 1,282 acres: Each residential parcel will be surrounded by other "cooperative land". This is Yellow Hills Ranch land, that granst a perpetual exclusive right of use (more details) for agricultural purposes.
3. GREENHOUSE AND OTHER AGRICULTURE: 93 acres: This land is for an agricultural area with close access to State Road 112 in the northeast area of the property. This area is set aside for greenhouses and other agricultural infrastructure.
4. RESIDENTIAL LAND: 405 acres: Residential parcels will each be surrounded by cooperative land to which each parcel will have an exclusive right of use, as described above as the "cooperative land", and there is more detail on the approach to residential land here.
5. ECOTOURISM LAND: There are five 25 acre plots that are part of the Cooperative Land. These are areas for retreat, wildlife viewing, and other activities. Each camp will be light on the land. There will be minimal infrastructure in a camp like environment.
The Residential Land
This land is a buffer around each residence, a corridor for wildlife, an agricultural amenity and a productive part of the mix at the Ranch. Here is a page to explain more about how the forest garden will be implemented at the Ranch.
Making a decision about the number of residential units, and what price, is critical. These choices define the character of the community. This link leads you to a page that describes our method for deciding the density to propose.
Looking NE: workforce housing site at first tree line
Ranch frontage on right State Rd 112 headed east