Red River residents may see a slowdown in data‑center projects after the Taos County Commission discussed a draft ordinance on Tuesday, Nov. 10, that would preemptively halt new data‑center development for 18 months while staff draft rules for such facilities. Commissioner An‑Janette Brush likened the industry to a gold rush that could “crop up in the region,” warning of significant impacts on land, water, temperature and noise. She also cited nondisclosure agreements used in other jurisdictions that keep projects hidden from the community.
Vice Chair Darlene Vigil, who presided in the absence of Chair Miguel Romero Jr., cautioned that the draft should not force staff to write the rules immediately, fearing it would sideline residents’ many concerns about broader land‑use regulations. County contract attorney Patrick Trujillo argued the moratorium would actually give staff more time, saying, “If anything, I think it frees us up.” No vote was taken, and Planning Director Rachel Romero said the ordinance is expected to return to the commission for adoption on Dec. 15.
In a separate vote, the commission approved a $81,500 expenditure of a Gates Foundation grant for a University of New Mexico Bureau of Business and Economic Research study on economic mobility. The study will include seven focus groups, a countywide survey, and a final report due in June. County Economic Mobility and Opportunity Officer Jennifer Ammann highlighted that 28% of the county’s 15,549 households are classified as “asset limited, income constrained, employed” (ALICE) and another 19% live in poverty, totaling 47% of households—higher than the state’s 42% rate. According to United for ALICE director Jeanette Brahl, a single adult in the county needs $31,824 annually, or $15.91 per hour, to meet a bare‑bones budget.
Housing officials also presented two draft ordinances. Daniel Werwath of Taos Housing Partnership proposed creating a Community Housing Fund, an affordable‑housing trust that would award loans and grants through a request‑for‑proposals process. Recipients would need to match every $1 of fund money with at least $3 from other sources. The fund would be financed by short‑term rental license fees and proceeds from county land sales, though it could be established before any money is collected.
A second ordinance would raise the income ceiling for county housing assistance from 80% to 150% of the area median income and shorten the required affordability period for housing built or repaired with county help from 10‑25 years to 5‑20 years. Vigil praised the concepts but questioned the Planning Department’s capacity to manage the fund and objected to staff appointing the selection committee. County Manager Brent Jaramillo suggested the committee would consist of county staff, with final approval remaining with the commission.
Other commission actions included noting a $61,677.58 drop in first‑quarter gross receipts tax revenue compared with the previous year—a decline attributed to a poor ski season—though Finance Director Emily Rowlinson‑Elliott called it “not a big concern at the moment.” Commissioners also approved $459,341 for a new ambulance, $292,423 in lodger’s‑tax grants to 21 organizations, and accepted a $1.67 million state grant (with an $83,474 county match) to replace the Lower Hondo Bridge. Additionally, Commissioner Mascareñas was appointed an ex‑officio member of the Taos MainStreet board, and an electric‑bus ribbon‑cutting event is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. at KTAOS.
What’s next: The commission plans to bring the data‑center moratorium ordinance and the two housing‑fund ordinances back for a vote on Dec. 15. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to voice their concerns and suggestions.
Sources: taosnews.com
