In a special meeting Thursday, the Santa Clara Board of Trustees unanimously approved an agreement with Luis Terrazas that allows him to move forward with plans to build a small mobile home park in Santa Clara’s industrial area north of U.S. 180.
Terrazas, Republican state representative for the 39th District and owner of Terrazas Funeral Chapels in Santa Clara, will pay the township $500 a month to rent a 1-acre lot north of the former Beehive Home nursing facility, with an option to buy it for $5,000. The rent paid will be deducted from the purchase price. The lease term is 10 months, but Township Attorney M. Yvonne Gonzalez said it could be extended if needed.
The board discussed Terrazas’ request for the property at its regular meeting on Aug. 8, but took no action because he wanted more information. Terrazas said he could not attend that meeting because he was in Tucson for his daughter’s wedding. He said he wanted to tell the trustees his plans in person and spoke with them at Thursday’s special meeting.
“Because this is a public facility and public land, we have to initiate a formal investigation and there is a process,” he said.
Terrazas said the park’s primary purpose is to help his clients.
“We want to set up a small RV park there,” he said. “We have families at the funeral home who sometimes can’t find a room. Sometimes they have financial problems. My wife, I and our son asked ourselves, ‘What can we do in our area?'”
He said those visiting their family members at Fort Bayard Medical Center often have the same problem.
The park will have about 10 to 15 spaces, he said. Those who stay for a memorial service at his funeral home will get a discount, but others will be able to use the spaces, too, Terrazas said.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t have people who want to explore Gila and see the Big Tree or the Dragonfly Trail … it doesn’t mean those people aren’t welcome,” he said.
Terrazas said it was also an investment in the mining district.
“I want to continue to play a major role as a businessman at the private level, continue to invest in our mining district, move it forward and provide more amenities to the people who live here,” he said.
He expects the project to take about two years to complete, mainly because the boundaries of the property are unclear.
The municipality will arrange for the property to be surveyed, but it could take several months until an appraiser is found, Gonzalez said.
In the meantime, Terrazas said he plans to begin removing other obstacles to the park’s construction, including clearing rock for infrastructure construction, removing debris and cleaning a partially blocked access point.
Terrazas said he toured the property with a contractor to get an idea of ​​the project’s feasibility. He said he also plans to take drone footage of the property.
“I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s all done. I’m about a third of the way through the review. But I’m very confident — 90 percent — that we’re going to get this project underway,” he said. “I want to try to get it done within two years, but I’ve got a lot of rocks and stuff that’s been left there that I need to get rid of, and I don’t want to have to wait six months for an inspection and then I’m even more behind.”
The councillors supported the proposal, but also had some questions for Terrazas. Councillor Peter Erickson asked about the park’s water and sewer systems. Terrazas said the park would be connected to the village’s water and sewer systems.
Erickson also asked Terrazas if people would be there for short-term or long-term visits. Terrazas said it will be a short-term park.
“I just don’t want people living there,” Terrazas said, but added that they can be flexible for those who want to explore the area.
Village Administrator Sheila Hudman said the $5,000 price was set based on the average price of lots the village has purchased and the fact that the 1-acre lot is landlocked and cannot be expanded. If the land is appraised higher, the village can still sell the lot cheaper because it is designated for economic development purposes, she said.
Mayor Arnold Lopez praised Terrazas for its funeral home and its appearance and said he was confident Terrazas would deliver the same quality at the RV park.
“I think this is great what you’re doing,” Lopez said. “You’re a successful business person, you’re successful in your personal life, and I think you’re really respected here in Grant County. It would be nice to have something like this, and I think you’re really doing something good for the public.”
—JUNO OGLE