Stated Purpose: “Help shape our 2026 priorities and connect with neighbors committed to preserving the Village’s semi-rural character, supporting local agriculture, and fostering a vibrant, engaged community.“
Thank you to residents and trustees who attended. We had a productive meeting with about 30 people. Among topics discussed:
Nancy reported on recent meetings she and Marcia Smiley had with new Planning & Zoning Director Shanna Schultz and Mayor Real. Their purpose was to inquire on current status of tracts 4-6 of VC/Palindrome. They were told “Our contract with them carries no deadlines.” The Mayor said he has reached out to Palindrome on multiple occasions and has received no response. We discussed that their lack of response, which could indicate:
- Their preparation of a reduced development,
- Their reluctance to deal with us again, or
- Their lack of interest in the project.
Mayor Real shared that if we end up negotiating a contract release they will probably want some compensation for the infrastructure they built on 4-6 (water, electric, sewer, etc). It does have value to the Village moving forward.
Consensus was reached that FOLR should focus not on Palindrome, but rather on something everyone, including members of Informed, can get behind: open space.
There was also consensus that the Village needs a highly amended or new & better Master Plan.
We decided to take a multi-pronged approach, including:
- Education about the importance of open space and acequias.
- Work with the Village to identify parcels that could remain open with some support.
- Foster collaboration with MRGCD towards maintaining the acequias for irrigation, supporting wildlife, and as walkways.
An “Adopt an Acequia” campaign was also suggested.
Towards these ends, David Montoya volunteered to reach out to MRGCD to setup a Village-wide meeting to learn more about their practices and share our needs, to see if we can find ways to collaborate to mutual benefit. We hope that Informed will join us in this effort and look forward to their input and collaboration.
Tom Donelan volunteered to reach out to the AgriNature Center to see if a collaboration might be possible between the Center and residents offering their land to be farmed or needing help planting crops.
Further, it was suggested that the Village conduct a survey to identify such opportunities for open space preservation.
We agreed to an FOLR meeting every other month. Let’s tentatively schedule our next meeting for May 10 at 1pm.
It was also agreed that we need to do more fundraising.
Good work, all!
To the best of my recollection,
Secretary Nancy