12/31/25 PNM Issue update below!
Welcome to The North Albuquerque Acres Community Association
NAACA mailing address: 11003 Anaheim Ave. NE Alb., NM 87122
Why is it important to join NAACA:
Your membership is needed.
Why your NAACA membership is so important:● You are part of a large Community Association recognized by Bernalillo County. There is strength in numbers when we need to protect our Sector Plan.● The NAACA Board researches issues affecting our community such as: Sector Plan Protection, Zoning, Drainage issues (AMAFCA), Road Conditions.● NAACA works closely with City, County and State offices and officials when necessary to protect our neighborhood and our neighbors. We represent our members before our elected representatives such as: during hearings at the Bernalillo County Commission, Zoning and Planning, etc.● Outreach keeps our community environmentally cohesive and safe such as: petitioning government for Capital Improvement funds for roads and infrastructure.● NAACA help to keep neighbors informed such as: new construction, changes etc.● NAACA sponsors community engaging events such as: Spring Clean-up/flea market, and soon: fun run or car show. Annual membership dues are still only $25.
Latest News Regarding Proposed Substation:
PNM Preposed Substation Issue
December 31, 2025
The Board of County Commissioners has received three sets of appeals of the The Bernalillo County Planning Commission approval recommendation
for both: Amendment to the Sector Plan (ZSPR2025-0006) and a Special Use Permit (ZCSU2025-0009).
The appellant portion will be heard first, and then the public hearing will commence. Public comment is allowed.
January 27, 2026 at 1pm
Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers, 415 Silver Ave. SW, 1st Floor, Bernalillo County at Alvarado Square
December 22, 2025
PNM's application was for Substation only and did not include transmission route and its location. The transmission route is not under the jurisdiction of the county.
The Board of County Commissioners will vote on the CPC's approval recommendation.
This case will be heard by the Board of County Commissioners at a public hearing on January 27, 2026 at 1pm.
Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers, 415 Silver Ave. SW, 1st Floor, Bernalillo County at Alvarado Square.
December 3, 2025
The Bernalillo County Planning Commission Hearing was held today and they recommended: Approval for both: Amendment to the Sector Plan (ZSPR2025-0006) and a Special Use Permit (ZCSU2025-0009) for a electrical substation to be built on SDRO zoned lots in NAA. The application was for Substation only and did not include transmission route and its location.
The Board of Commissioners will hold a public Hearing to vote on the CPC's approval recommendation. We will post date of Hearing and information when we receive it.
November 12, 2025
Recently, there has been a distribution of leaflets, text message campaigns, and posts on Nextdoor and Facebook against the proposed PNM substation (and preferred transmission route) in NAA. Please be aware that these materials do not come from the NAACA. While it’s natural for some to oppose it, the main concern of the NAACA board is preventing the spread of misinformation and confusion.
For the past year, the NAACA Board and our neighborhood engineering advisors have conducted comprehensive due diligence by thoroughly researching relevant issues, keeping our community informed, organizing and hosting community meetings (with and without PNM), participating in confidential data sessions (with access to non-public data provided by PNM and their engineers), consulting with the county officials regarding both the NAA sector development plan and the Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan, and validating the requirements for energy in our area. Our Board-Directed Independent Volunteer Electrical/Energy Engineers live in NAA. Each has 30+ years of experience in electrical power generation and distribution and with complex systems definition, development, test and evaluation.
Growing energy demands in our communities have led to an increased risk of localized power outages, which could affect both electricity and water supply (such as wells). Prolonged outages may occur if replacement transformers are needed. The outages could also cause damage to household appliances, air conditioning units, etc. The existing electrical system is outdated and upgrading or expanding involves significant expense and poses reliability challenges. Placement of substations and transmission lines has been validated through scientific assessment.
One of our main caveats for supporting NAA hosting the substation on one of our SDRO zoned lots (for the benefit of reliable power for NAA that also includes surrounding communities: Sandia Heights, Primrose, Heritage East, Quintessence, and Tierra Monte), is that the preferred transmission route follows "prudent avoidance" (as written in the PNM application) of the "sensitive receptor populations" (church preschools, daycares, assisted living facilities) that are along Paseo Del Norte (between Browning/Eubank) and along Eubank. The preferred route is east PDN at Lowell behind the CVS and out at Tramway to tie-in at San Antonio. Both State Highways, Tramway and Paseo Del Norte are under the jurisdiction of the NMDOT. Note: Burying transmission lines would increase costs of project 10x and either the surrounding community would have to bear the increased costs, or the NMPRC would have to permit a statewide rate hike to cover the cost. Neither is feasible.
Though the county does not have jurisdiction over state highways, they may or may not make a ruling/recommendation on this Substation project AND the location of the transmission route. The Bernalillo County Planning Commission Hearing is set for Dec. 3, 2025, at 9am. Details in previous message.
Facts:
· The NAA Sector Development Plan does not include a plan for electrical facilities, nor was a growth in energy demand anticipated when it was adopted in 2001/amended in 2008. Unincorporated Bernalillo County must abide by the Electric System Transmission and Generation Facilities Plan (2010-2020).
· The Sector plan amendment for the proposed substation would be “site specific”. It would not translate to another lot or open us up to industrial development.
· NAA and surrounding communities use three substation transformers that are 80% over normal rating and three distribution feeder that are over 100% normal rating. We all are using more energy. This proposed substation would provide energy to not only NAA, but Sandia Heights, Quintessence, Heritage East, Tierra Monte, and a few nearby ABQ neighborhoods.
· PNM held several open houses in November of 2024. The public chose/voted on potential substation sites in this far northeast area of need. PNM had specific criteria for final selection. This criterion was confidential, but after signing NDAs, our Engineering Advisors and NAACA president were given access to it for verification.
· Whether property values may be affected remains uncertain, as this is speculative. Notably, one home (located approximately less than 700 feet from the proposed substation) disclosed its proximity and potential impact before selling for over $1 million within days of being listed.
· PNM hired a third-party, internationally accredited and licensed engineering firm, Burns & McDonnell, to analyze the electric grid in the area, identify details about available properties within the study area, and rank the sites that are most developable based on the following technical criteria:
o at least 2.5 acres in size
o not in a designated flood plain located along a transmission corridor (arterial street)
o able to connect to existing feeder lines in the Area of Need
o Demographic and land use limitations, avoid:
-residentially developed lots
-sensitive receptor populations
- lots zoned only for ranches, farms, and single-family homes (A-1)
· BernCo Commissioner adopted Ordinance No. 2019-20 in August 2019. PNM Franchise Ordinance /Agreement grants PNM the rights to provide electrical service to unincorporated Bernalillo County and is permitted to locate utility facilities in the area’s public rights-of-way by the BernCo agreement, or Rule 17.4.2 New Mexico Code for utility accommodation within the right-of-way of roads or streets under the jurisdiction of NMDOT.
Graphics of detailed data presented (Proposed NAA Substation Power Point Slides) link under President's Message.
September 10, 2025
A Bernalillo County Planning Commission Hearing was held on
September 3, 2025
The County Planning Commission (CPC) started their meeting by stating they were going to hear discussion regarding case number SPR2025-0006 Public Service Company of NM requesting an Amendment to the Paseo Del Norte/North Albuquerque Acres Sector Plan to allow for a public utility structure- an electrical substation on lots 7,8,25 and 26, block 2, North Albuquerque Acres tract 2, located at 11520 and 11601 Palomas AVE. NE; zoned SD-RO (residential/Office) and containing 3.56 acres. The CPC was also going to hear discussion on CSU2025-0009 Public Service Company of New Mexico requests approval of a “special use” permit for a public Utility-electrical substation on the same lots and location mentioned previously.
The CPC said they were going to rule on the substation, but that was not the case because approximately 15-20 residents from Sandia Heights voiced their opposition to the preferred transmission line route going along Tramway and claimed they were not informed and included in discussions regarding the preferred transmission line route (even though a letter was sent by the County to the Sandia Heights Neighborhood Association and a meeting was also held with the SH Neighborhood by PNM).
Although Bernalillo County received many more letters strongly favoring approval of the electrical substation than opposing it, the County Planning Commission (CPC) faced a dilemma: while they agreed on the necessity of electrical power and the substation, they felt that the substation and transmission lines are “mutually inclusive.” The CPC noted that neighbors from Sandia Heights felt disenfranchised by the PNM regarding discussions about the transmission route. As a result, the CPC decided on a 90-day continuance to allow PNM to re-engage with the Sandia Heights Neighborhood about the preferred transmission route.
Please note: Bernalillo County does not have jurisdiction over State Highways 423 (Paseo Del Norte) and 556 (Tramway Blvd); these fall under the New Mexico Department of Transportation. For this project, PNM collaborates with NMDOT and recommends routes. PNM’s preferred transmission route in the Bernalillo County application follows “Prudent Avoidance” by minimizing possible risks to sensitive groups, such as children (day cares, church preschools) and the elderly (assisted living), by routing the transmission line east on PDN and along Tramway to connect at San Antonio.
The New CPC Public Hearing date : December 3, 2025 @ 9am
Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers, 415 Silver Ave. SW, 1st Floor, Bernalillo County at Alvarado Square. The public is welcome to attend and provide verbal comments. For More information: 505-314-0350.
August 22, 2025
For several months, PNM (The Public Service company of NM), myself, the NAACA (including our neighbors/members), and our own NAA Electrical/Utility Engineering Advisors have been attending numerous meetings and discussing the electrical needs and supply for NAA and the surrounding NE Heights area. We have found that the substations currently serving homes in our community were not built to support the current electrical demand. It is conclusive that this places our community at risk of power outage due to system overload. The data has been reviewed and verified by an independent electrical substation consulting firm and by our community Engineering Advisors.
On July 28, 2025, PNM submitted an application to the County to construct a proposed electrical substation on the south side of Paseo Del Norte Frontage Road, immediately west of the Bernalillo County Fire Station. PNM currently owns four contiguous lots at this site, with plans for the substation pad to encompass approximately 3.5 acres. According to the NAA Sector Plan, the area is zoned SDRO, designated for office, institutional, clinic, or residential use. As such, PNM is requesting an Amendment to the Sector Plan (ZSPR2025-0006) and a Special Use Permit (ZCSU2025-0009) from the County for the construction of the electrical substation. It is important to note that the NAA Sector Plan, while comprehensive when drafted over two decades ago, did not anticipate the current demand for electricity.
PNM has demonstrated a commitment to community engagement through the planning process and used public input received to help select the preferred site. NAACA appreciates the extensive ongoing collaboration with our association.
The Bernalillo County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 9:00am at the Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers, 415 Silver Ave. SW, 1st Floor, Bernalillo County at Alvarado Square. The public is welcome to attend and provide verbal comments. For More information: 505-314-0350.
If the County Planning Commission recommends an approval, the next step in the process is for The Board of County Commissioners to review the CPC’s recommendation in another public hearing and make a final decision on the permit. That public hearing will be sometime in October/November 2025(Exact date to be determined).
June 2, 2025
After an extensive review and weighting of numerous possible locations, 4 one acre lots were chosen by PNM as the proposed site for the 2.5-acre Electrical substation: Site 9, directly west of the fire station along the Paseo Del Norte Frontage Road/Sandia Vista Equestrian Park Road. This location is zoned SDRO and was the least intrusive location within NAA and provides a good location to feed into feeder lines going into the neighborhood.
Since that meeting, Jack, Dave and I have had numerous meetings with PNM. The results of those meetings include the following:
· We requested that the transmission lines are to run Eastward Paseo del Norte and Southward along State highway 556-Tramway to tie in at San Antonio. This will prevent the transmission lines/towers from running close to churches, preschools, and day care centers, which they would (for example) if the transmission lines were to run Westward Paseo Del Norte and Southward Eubank. DOT has preliminarily agreed to this transmission-line-direction-caveat, and PNM has preliminarily verified it.
· We request the electrical substation A-frame (which will stand approximately 65 feet above ground), potentially be eliminated by running the high voltage cable drops from the new transmission tower on PDN into the substation by buried cable instead of overhead conductors. If this extra cost is found to be an impact, it would need to be paid as an assessment to the neighborhood at large, (or at least explore other options of lowering the A-frame height). PNM is reviewing this.
· We request that no cell tower is sublet and installed at this electrical substation. PNM is reviewing this.
We discussed getting feedback from neighbors who live on the north side of San Bernardino regarding landscaping and how to make the proposed substation look more aesthetic. A meeting is planned for 6/4/25 and those neighbors have been notified.
PNM plans to file with the County for an “exception” to our SDRO zoning for an electrical substation in late June 2025. The exception will be site specific and not affect our existing Sector Plan. Our Sector Plan will require two levels of approval: first, the Planning Commission will have to recommend/approve the “special use” permit, then the County Commission will have to review and vote on the approval. The hearings will not begin until August 2025. If approved, it will take approximately 2 years to build the substation.
April 23, 2025
Wednesday (April 23, 2025), we held a meeting for our NAA neighbors to update our community on the PNM-proposed NAA substation. We had about 100 of our neighbors attend including State Senator-Nicole Tobiassen. Last fall, when we first learned about PNM re-visiting placement of a substation in NAA, our Board Directed Independent Volunteer Community Advising Team of fellow NAA neighbors: Jack Cadogan, (Professional Engineer with 30+ years of experience in electrical power generation and distribution), and David Baughman, (MSEE with 30+ years of experience in complex systems definition, development, test and evaluation) and myself have been busy exchanging email, attending meetings with PNM, and doing research. Our Advising Engineering Team acted as conduit for technical communications between PNM and NAACA. They performed independent technical reviews of: PNM’s justification for a NAA substation, ensured all alternatives were considered, reviewed PNM’s site selection process to ensure fairness and reasonability.
The information obtained from PNM was presented in a PowerPoint presentation to our neighbors and is now available to view on our website (Under Resources/Information or click link above in latest "President's Message").
Annual Community Meeting was held 10/21/25
Guest Speakers
- BernCo Commissioner Walt Benson
- State Representative Nichole Chavez
Warning! Fire Danger! Report Illegal Fireworks!
Emergency Immediate Assistance: call 911 For non-emergency: 505-468-7000
Bernco Fire station 35 @ 11700 Paseo Del Norte
(505) 314-0090
June 23, 2025
Bernalillo County, N.M. – As Independence Day approaches, Bernalillo County Fire Rescue is reminding residents that the use of specific fireworks is strictly prohibited within unincorporated Bernalillo County, outside the city limits of Albuquerque.
Under the current fire prevention code, the following items are not allowed in Bernalillo County due to their risk of igniting fires in dry conditions:
- Aerial devices: including aerial shell kit reloadable tubes, aerial spinners, helicopters, mines, missile-type rockets, multiple tube devices, roman candles, shells, and stick-type rockets.
- Ground audible devices: including chasers and firecrackers.
Use only fireworks purchased in Bernalillo County to ensure they are legal to use. Using illegal fireworks can result in a fine of up to $1,000, jail time up to one year or both.
Contact:
Bernco Fire station 35 @ 11700 Paseo Del Norte
(505) 314-0090
and if no response then contact our elected representatives.
Walt Benson, Commissioner, District 4 district4@bernco.gov office phone number 505-468-7010
Nicole Chavez, State Rep. District 31 nicole.chavez@nmlegis.gov capitol phone number 505-986-4214.
Tell them your concerns regarding no enforcement against illegal fireworks, public safety issues (especially during an “extreme drought” period) and the medical issues traumatizing pets and people with PTSD.
Alerts: Road Condition Issues, Construction Updates
NAA Road Condition Issues
To report NAA road maintenance issues please contact the following email address contactcenter@bernco.gov
If your unhappy with the conditions of our roads in NAA and to request additional funding to improve our roads. please email :our
State Representative, Nicole Chavez at nicole.chavez@nmlegis.gov
Capitol phone: 505-986-4214
Home phone: 505-585-4630
PO Box 53271 Alb., NM
and Nicole Tobiassen, State Senator at nicole.tobiassen@nmlegis.gov
Capitol phone: 505- 986-4278
Home phone: 505-600-1170
8100 Wyoming Blvd NE Ste M4-#786, Albuquerque NM 87133-1963
Session Secretary Email:SD21.secr@nmlegis.gov
Spring 2025 Caution! Ben Greiner Park- Reseeding
BernCo started seeding the park.
The have cautioned off the area so the seed can germinate into the ground.
Please avoid any foot traffic or pet activity while the seed grows.
Bernalillo County Land Management will do all in its power to get the field ready as soon as possible and ready for play.
Thanks for your help!
Raul Muñoz Jr.
PARKS RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE
LAND MANAGEMENT SECTION MANAGER
Office: 505.219.1181
Cell: 505.934.4725
Email: ramunoz@bernco.gov
2400 Broadway Blvd SE Albuquerque, NM 87102.