ALAMEDA NORTH VALLEY ASSOCIATION Deborah Potter ...

ALAMEDA NORTH VALLEY ASSOCIATION
Deborah Potter, President
1019 Guadalupe Ct., N.W.
Alameda, NM 87114-2325
January 6, 2009
Re: General Mills Application for Industrial Revenue Bond Project Approval
To: Albuquerque City Council Finance and Government Operations Committee
Chairman Don Harris,
Councilor Michael Cadigan
Councilor Debbie O’Malley
Councilor Ken Sanchez
Councilor Brad Winter
Dear Chairman Harris and Councilors,
The purpose of this letter is to inform you:
1- The above referenced project is located within Alameda North Valley Association’s boundaries.
2- As of the date of this letter, the Association has not been contacted by General Mills to meet to
discuss any matters with regards to the project,
3- The project will have a significant impact upon the Alameda Business Park, Alameda Blvd. and the
surrounding area and therefore we are understandably concerned with the details of the project.
4- The Alameda North Valley Association (ANVA) is in favor of quality economic development and job
growth whether within our neighborhood or within surrounding areas. Some of the concerns we
currently have, very possibly would not be listed below, if we had been included in the process at an
earlier date.
However, since we have not met with General Mills representatives or consultants as of the date of
this letter we are forwarding our concerns to you.
#1- Alameda Blvd. Access –
We understand from an article in the Albuquerque Journal that the City and General Mills, after
discussing alternatives, have agreed to shift truck access point to the north side of the Property, which
will allow trucks to access the Property from Alameda Boulevard through a commercial subdivision.
ANVA has serious concerns regarding redirecting General Mills semi-truck access away from Paseo
Del Norte onto Alameda Blvd. ANVA has been meeting with NMDOT to discuss our concerns
regarding existing conditions on Alameda. Therefore we cannot imagine that adding 200 semi trailer
truck trips per day at an unsignalled intersection, without adequate turn lanes will do anything but
have a very significant, negative impact on an already failing existing condition at that intersection. To
avoid making a left turn across traffic without a signal, these semi-trucks will go to Second and Fourth
Streets so they can enter the Alameda Business Park in a safer manner via a right turn in and out. At
a minimum a signal should be installed at this intersection to help mitigate some of the impact of the
trucks turning on and off of Alameda.

We agree that you would be solving one problem by alleviating congestion in the vicinity of the Paseo del
Norte / Jefferson intersection, but at the expense of make an existing problem at Alameda Park Drive /
Alameda Blvd. significantly worse and greatly increasing semi-truck traffic on Second and Fourth Streets.
Therefore, we do not believe it a positive contribution for our neighborhood when you factor in the much
larger offsetting negative impact at the Alameda Park Drive / Alameda Blvd. intersection and surrounding
streets.
#2 – Water Consumption -
ANVA is concerned with General Mills total water consumption of approximately, 116,800,000 gallons
per year after the expansion. This is a lot of water considering we are being asked to limit water usage
and conserve our natural resources. Can General Mills find a way to reduce its water usage?
#3 - Location Character –
ANVA disagrees with the location description as, “the Property, which is itself located within a
commercial / industrial area” because it is not accurate. The Property is close to or adjacent to Alameda
Business Park, Alameda Little League fields and residential neighborhoods. Alameda Business Park’s
residents are small businesses and the park does not currently experience much heavy truck traffic. We
do not see anything positive by directing heavy truck traffic close to Little League fields, small businesses
and residences.
Also, we spoke with a few business operators located in Alameda Business Park and they had not
received any notifications regarding this project. What is the notification procedure for the project?
ANVA is generally in favor of well thought out, well planned, economic development where the
infrastructure is in place (or will be built along with the project) to handle the growth without creating
significant negative impacts on our neighborhood. Because ANVA has not been involved with this
project, we are unsure whether we can support it or not. Therefore, please encourage General Mills, to
contact the Alameda North Valley Association so that we can discuss our concerns.
The Association recommends deferral on this request until important issues can be addressed.
You can contact me at 897-5105 or msilbert@q.com.
Regards,
Michael Silbert
Michael Silbert
Alameda North Valley Association
Board Member & Chairman, Traffic Committee
The Alameda North Valley Association is a non-profit organization recognized by the City of
Albuquerque and the County of Bernalillo as an area neighborhood association.