NIMBYism vs Creating a Diverse Community

NIMBY, which stands for “not-in-my-backyard,” is a mentality adopted by those who reject certain changes to their communities. NIMBY’s everywhere, from the East Coast to West Coast always state they are not NIMBYs. They always state they are for affordable housing (just not near them or in their neighborhood).

The NIMBY opposition instigators are always very vocal in rallying support for their cause, creating misinformation and worse, disinformation. They become puppet masters in directing actions of others to oppose the housing, all the while they are claiming “incompatibility” with their own properties adjacent. The NIMBY’s profess that they only want “compatible properties” like theirs in the area, which really means: only the people who can afford such properties. NIMBY’s generally consider themselves to be “liberals”, upper middle class and think of themselves as social activist, while practicing exclusionary tactics when it comes to their own neighborhood.

NIMBYs always use stall tactics to keep affordable, high-density housing out of their neighborhood. “Not this plan, please redesign”. The NIMBY opposition neighbors basically want no development near them, unless it is like kind. NIMBYs always claim “compatibility” and wanting consistency with the “character” or “neighborhood scale” (which perpetuates homogenous neighborhoods of low-density, single-family homes. This is exclusionary practice & economic discrimination while violating Federal Fair Housing Laws.

Local TAOS  NIMBYs vs Diversity Equity & Inclusion

The local Taos NIMBYs are no different than what is seen across the country in their opposition to the Tarleton Ranch Eco-Village. They want to “protect their views” as stated by a current Upper Las Colonias Neighborhood board member in the meetings notes in December 2017. One does not own “their view” if the view is over someone else’s property and your deed does not specify view rights or view corridors. In the February 2018 meeting notes, another current board member vocalized for their opposition group, concerns with respect to their property values and southern and western views. Another member of the ULCNA stated they were opposed to affordable housing in the neighborhood in the September 2018 meeting notes. Since these viewpoints were stated openly, the NIMBYs have disguised their real intentions for keeping the TREV development from being approved. Visit the ULCNA website to read for yourself. A current ULCNA board member stated publicly that the owners of the TREV property should donate the entire property as a park.

Are these NIMBYs concerned that a new development might be more desirable than in their own neighborhood and could possibly lower the current over inflated property values of their own homes due to lack of available homes for sale?

These NIMBYs do not want mixed use, mixed income, lower income homes, workforce housing and the variety of clustered high-density home types.

The vitriolic puppet-masters will fade away, when the rest of the opposition realizes the facts about the Tarleton Ranch Eco-Village. These opposition organizers are not builders or visionaries, but are divisive self-interest ring leaders, who are exclusionary and want to stop anyone else from moving into their neighborhood. They have poisoned the airways, newspapers, social media, and community spreading misinformation and disinformation. They have made it their mission to intimidate and threaten to “burn out” this development and those involved. 

Our community on the north side of Taos needs affordable housing, amenities and services. We need mixed-use, mixed-density housing in clusters with a variety of housing types from small houses, single family attached and detached houses and workforce housing, that preserve open space within the planned (agrihood) eco-farm park. TREV’s already zoned commercial district on highway150 will serve not just the needs of the PUD but the whole community. The TREV amenities offer a dog park, a community center, offices, shops, a grocery store, elder care, medical facilities as well as fire protection and EMS.

The greater Taos community need to say “Yes In My Backyard” (YIMBY) to end the housing discrimination, exclusionary practices & economic discrimination and support diversity, equity and inclusion.

Come help create a legacy that is inclusive for all of Taos and not just those that can afford 1+acre home sites. We urge you to be part of the solution to some of the most significant challenges facing New Mexico: housing shortage, economic sustainability, health & safety, and food insecurity. 

To paraphrase Mr. Rogers: “It’s a beautiful day in the Village. Won’t you be our neighbors?  Come grow with us.

Dianne McKenzie is a Real Estate Broker, resident and property owner in Upper Las Colonias Neighborhood in El Prado and an advocate for supporting Fair Housing Laws and diverse communities.