Building in Tierra Grande

INFORMATION – TIERRA GRANDE SUBDIVISION, Units 1-5, 7, 9-24

Tierra Grande Improvement Association, Inc.
PO Box 1388
480 Rio Communities Boulevard, Suite H
Belen, New Mexico 87002
(505) 864-2345 or fax (505) 861-3903 or e-mail address:  info@tierragrande.org
Web Site:  http://www.tierragrande.org
Administrator:  Sue Moran
Assistant Administrator:  Janie Earthman
Board members: Judi Magnussen, Mike Sumner, Carol Gasperetti, George J. Koch, Tim Lardner

1. You will be required to pay a yearly assessment fee to Tierra Grande Improvement

Association, Inc. according to lot size and for each lot that you own.  For full details, download a copy of the Indentures from our web site:
$30 for 5 – 9.9 acres                                          $60 for 20 – 39.9 acres
$45 for 10 – 19.9 acres                                      $75 for 40+ acres
The fees collected are used to provide infrastructure to promote development, i.e. power lines, road work, fire station, etc.

2. There are restrictive covenants in Tierra Grande.  For full detailed restrictions, download a copy of the Protective Covenants from our web site.  Basic restrictions are:
            *No mobile homes allowed (even on a permanent foundation).
            *All house plans must be approved by the Architectural Control Committee before beginning construction.  Submit 2 full sets of construction drawings, including details on materials and color scheme, elevations, a sketch of the finished home with septic system and water well locations marked.  Include a letter stating expected completion date and any other plans which may or may not deviate from the covenants.  The committee has 30 days to approve plans.  Fences are approved as to location, height and materials.  New Mexico is an “open range” State which means that if an owner does not want large animals roaming on to the property, it is the owner’s responsibility to fence the animals out.        
            *Lots are zoned rural residential.  Single family residential only.  No manufacturing, commercial or business operation other than arts, crafts or professions operated solely by the members of the family occupying the residence.
            *You cannot subdivide your lot smaller than five acres.
            *Your home must be 2,000 square feet or larger, including heated and unheated space.
            *Only ordinary household pets are permitted, with the exception of two horses per five acres, no other farm animals.
            *Your home cannot exceed 2½ stories in height.
            *There are specific setbacks for building near your property line.

3. Street / Mailing Address - know your legal description:  (Unit-Block-Lot) AND the County, Township, Range & Section to your lot AND the street name.  For street / mailing address call Valencia County Planning and Zoning (505-866-2053) OR Socorro County Planning & Zoning (575-835-0589).

4. Lot survey:  $250 - $750 for most lots.
Rio Grande Engineering             (505) 764-8891               David Tibbett’s Surv.       (505) 865-0396
Lynn Engineering                       (505) 869-3548               MDN Surveying Co.         (505) 865-2869

5. Power line extension:  Approximately $14,000 per mile, 12 – 13 poles per mile, at 6% interest

$1,200 off for every meter.  You must pay 20% down and the remainder is amortized over 5 years.  Electric usage counts toward balance up to $100 per month.  Contact Socorro Electric Cooperative, Rick Otero, at (575) 838-6420 or NM toll free 1-800-351-7575.  It is the owner’s responsibility to make arrangements with Socorro Electric to bring power to the lot.

There is a 5-foot utility easement along each side of all lot lines.
Socorro Electric Cooperative will cut or trim back trees that endanger power lines AT NO COST

If you are considering using solar panels to help power your home please contact Rick Otero, at (575) 838-6420, Socorro Electric, for more information and to assure the proper precautions are in place for the safety of Socorro Electric workers.


6.   Telephone service is unavailable in some units.  At present Qwest is working hard to provide rural service.  Allow several weeks for new service.  Know your street address, County, Township, Range and Section. Some residents use cellular telephones.  Contact Qwest at 1-800-244-1111.

7. Architectural Control Committee:  Refer to #2.  Contact the Tierra Grande Improvement Association office at (505) 864-2345. 

8. Water well drilling:  Wells are 300 – 695 feet deep.  Expect to spend at least $18,000-$23,000
Gallup Drilling                     (800) 485-1477               Gilbert Pump & Well      (505) 865-6923
J & J Drilling                       (505) 869-3281               Moya Drilling                 (505) 869-9188
Rogers & Co.                     (505) 877-1030

9. Septic tanks:  Approximately $4,500-$6,500
Gene Goodson                   (505) 864-6352               LTV Construction           (505) 865-7820
G & E Septic Tanks            (505) 865-6409              Rick’s Septic Systems     (505) 865-6796

10. Garbage services:
AC Disposal Services          (505) 866-1010               Waste Management       (505) 892-1200

11. County Offices:
Valencia County:                                              Socorro County:
Treasurer                       (505) 866-2090               Treasurer                       (575) 835-1701
Assessor                        (505) 866-2065               Assessor                       (575) 835-0714
Clerk                             (505) 866-2073               Clerk                             (575) 835-0423
Manager                        (505) 866-2005               Manager                        (575) 835-0589
Planning & Zoning          (505) 866-2053               County Planner or
Building Inspector           (505) 866-2043               Building Inspection        (575) 835-4838

12. SOME general contractors/builders for the Belen area:  There are numerous builders in the

Albuquerque/Belen area.                                    505-
Enchanted Construction                                     463-4388
LeeMark Builders, Inc.                                      991-3488
Miera & Sons                                                    861-5065 or 720-8138
Rodeo Construction                                           280-3682
Services Unlimited                                             440-8100
Spencer’s Custom Homes                                 459-6861

13. Other Services:
Delgado Drafting & Designs                  463-1338  Architectural Drafting & Design
Delta Third Design                                 264-8512  Architectural Drafting & Design
MSS Construction                                 908-6120  Additions, Patios, Framing, Porches
Services Unlimited,Inc.                          440-8100  Additions, Patios, Framing, Porches
AP Concrete                                         550-1430  Concrete, sidewalks, footings, masonary
Hopkins Concrete & Sons                     489-3255  Concrete, sidewalks, footings, masonary
Miller Concrete Service                         864-9655  Driveways, sidewalks, footings, masonary
PG Enterprises                                      249-7886  Earthwork / paving / sand & gravel
Maine-ly Electric                                    864-7332  Electrician
MSS Construction                                 908-6120  Electrician
Airlink                                                   967-2202  HVAC
Techniques Painting – Luis Sanchez       804-6384  Painting, Interior – Exterior
R & S Painting                                      864-6714  or 220-4957  Painting – Interior – Exterior
Antonio’s Plumbing Services                 720-6843  Plumbing
Leonard’s Refrigeration                          864-0981  or 450-3384  Plumbing, Heating, Cooling
Rio Grande Enterprises                          459-5041  or 861-3777  Plumbing, Heating, Cooling
Tree’s Plumbing, Inc.                             235-2346  Plumbing
Koch Mechanical                                   344-2025  Radiant Heat
Four Seasons Roofing Company           864-6474  or 440-8665  Roofing – All types
Tritium Roofing                                     948-0888  Roofing
Blue Sky Landscape Services                907-0508  Landscaping
PAS – Landscaping/Maintenance           864-2084  Landscaping, Grounds Maintenance
A to Z Tractor Work                               861-6879  Tractor Work
Services Unlimited                                 379-8007  Pest Control
Tru-Kill Pest Control                               864-2523  Pest Control
Enchantment Propane                           864-8299  Propane
Lopez L P Gas                                      865-0581  Propane
New Mexico Propane                             869-2071  Propane
Valencia Propane                                  865-0300  Propane

14. Night Sky Protection Act:
One of many reasons people decide to live in Tierra Grande is the beauty of the night sky.  The New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance has declared the New Mexico night sky one of the state’s Most Endangered Cultural Resources.  In an effort to protect New Mexico’s night skies, the Alliance has developed a Consumer Guide to Night Sky Friendly Lighting which is available on line at www.nmheritage.org.

15. Appraisers:                                                  505
Mike Schnetzler                                     296-8769
Geraldine Feron & Associates                864-2833

16. Title/Escrow Companies:
Valencia County                                          505
Fidelity Title                                          866-6666
First American Title                                565-3300
Heritage Title                                         865-1177
Security Escrow                                                865-3913
U.S. Title                                               866-1713

Socorro County
JM Abstract                                   (575) 835-1997 
Security Title (Socorro County)       (800) 432-6754
Superior Title                                 (575) 835-4743

17. Roads
ALL roads in Tierra Grande are dirt roads.  Maintenance of roads is NOT the responsibility of Tierra Grande. 
The income Tierra Grande receives from annual assessments is inadequate to support the repair or maintenance of roads.

A.  Valencia County
If you build in Tierra Grande in Valencia County, once your approved plans are submitted to the County and you start building, the road to your lot MAY be improved (bladed) and a street sign put up IF the road is on the list of roads approved for maintenance by the Valencia County Road Department.  You must contact the road department directly at 505-866-2473.
                                    Link to Roads Maintained by Valencia County in Tierra Grande

B. Socorro County
If you build in Tierra Grande in Socorro County, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to blade in and maintain the road to their home.
                                    Socorro County will not maintain any roads in Tierra Grande

18. Emergency Contact Information
Non Emergency Number to report suspicious activity in Valencia County - 841-9256

State Police - District 5 (505) 866-2460 for dispatch

Non Emergency Number to report suspicious activity in Socorro County - (575) 835-0741

Cell Phone users should call the 841-9256 number in lieu of 911 as their 911 # gets them transferred to Albuquerque.

Animal Control – Valencia County (505) 866-2479

Code Enforcement – Valencia County (505) 866-2003 or 2053

19. Neighborhood Watch
Tierra Grande has an organized Neighborhood Watch Association.  Block Captains are assigned by area. 
Contact information is as follows:
            NW Area           Mary Cate         861-1256           Alternate           John Cassel      864-8254
            N Central Area  Jim Shaw           480-4101           Alternate           Gary Spinler      861-7125
            NE Area            Roger Martin     861-3306           Alternate           Allen Hancock  864-4250
            Central Area      Lori Nolan         861-2050           Alternate           Robert Ritt        864-9421
            East Central      Richard Rast     864-8664           Alternate           Kelly Sinclair     864-6930
            South East        John Best         288-0586           Alternate           Vacant