The original plans for the APS lots located on the corner of N. Zamora Rd. and Shady Oak Cr. were to build an elementary school; however, Albuquerque Public Schools have made plans for this property that are far from their original intent.  The bus depot now planned for this location (contrary to a 1989 agreement) would include garages, a mechanic shop, wash bays, a diesel fueling station, and a bus lot.  

Our main concerns include:

1). The contamination of our water supply
     a.  The depot would sit above the aquifer that feeds our wells
     b.  A detention pond would sit right next to our well house
2). The draw on our already low water supply
     a.  We have many neighbors whose wells have gone dry, or whose wells have dropped in level for the past 9 years.  Many residents have to haul water onto their properties to have running water.  
3). The air pollution
     a.  Our neighborhood is surrounded by a ridge on 3 sides, blocking in air and undoubtedly the fumes that would be generated by 50 diesel buses warming up in the mornings.  
4). The aesthetic
     a.  We live in a beautiful neighborhood.  People who have lived here for 50 years or more have paid mortgages etc to have the privilege to live here. In the course of a few months one entity may have the opportunity to greatly reduce our property values, and take away from the beauty that drew us to this area.
    b.  Traffic
    c.  Noise

We are all neighbors and we hope that APS will also be a neighbor by considering their impact on the area surrounding their property.  There are nearby areas owned by APS that would be better suited for a bus depot, and that would not have an impact on nearby residents.  As a neighborhood, we would welcome APS to use their property in a way that is better suited to our residential environment.

Not moving this bus depot would assuredly have an impact on how residents of the Village of Tijeras, and the surrounding area vote regarding funding for APS and approval for other projects.  We are a group of people committed to our community, and who work together to maintain a fair and healthy environment for all residents.  Yes, we need a bus depot and we voted for a bus depot; however, our neighborhood is not a proper place for this large facility.

Thank you for your willingness to listen to our concerns and we hope you will consider moving the bus depot.