County Says Sunland Park Is Growing Way Too Fast

Sunland Park has seen a lot of growth and activity in recent years. As far as Dona Ana County is concerned though, the area in El Paso's upper valley is a growing pain.

Sunland Park New Mexico was once pretty much just under 20,000 people, Western Playland and Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. Technically, you could count the State Line Restaurant too but now, there's sooo much more going on.

However, Sunland Park's growing pains are a growing pain for Dona Ana County.

The city of Sunland Park, New Mexico is expanding rapidly and now a group of investors want to purchase 2,325 acres for a mixed use development of residential and commercial properties on the western edge of the city, where Country Club Road ends

What's The Problem?

Growth is great but the property being considered is very oddly shaped and winds around unincorporated areas creating a question as to who will and who will not be served by Sunland Park’s new utilities department and other services.

Commissioners and county staff noted with dismay that the proposed annexation would create a jagged new boundary line that steers around three residential subdivisions and some state trust land. The expansion would create a new “island” or “doughnut hole” containing unincorporated county territory surrounded by Sunland Park, which county officials said would create confusion for law enforcement and emergency services. - abqjournal.com

As for utility customers, Assistant County Manager Steven Lopez said:

“We can no longer determine, does that well and that water tank feed an area that’s going to be in the city or feed an area that’s going to be in the county or both?

That's not all that's going on ...

After the legal eagles look things over, Sunland Park City Council will, (should, anyway), vote on the annexation in December.