(A) Generally.
(1) (a) To comply with the New Mexico Subdivision Act, the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department reviews each subdivision submitted, following the recommended guidelines outlined in this document.
(b) There is 1 coordinating section and 5 reviewing sections within the Department actually handle the subdivision package submitted for review.
(2) The coordinating section is the property management unit within the Right-of-Way Bureau, which receives the subdivision package from the county and then distributes the package to the review sections. The review sections are appropriate district offices, traffic design, project development, drainage and lands engineering.
(3) In general, the Highway Department is concerned with how the subdivision is going to affect federal and state highways, specifically the safety of the traveling public and the integrity of the road system within New Mexico
(B) Part 1: Coordination of subdivision reviews.
(1) All subdivision packages should be sent certified mail to:
The New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department
PO Box 1149
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1149
Attn: Right-of-Way Bureau
(2) In order to comply with the new 30 day response, 5 copies of each subdivision package must be submitted for a timely response.
(3) Upon receipt of packages, each will be distributed to reviewing sections. Comments will be returned to the property management unit of the Right-of-Way Bureau for compilation. A letter with department comments will be sent to the appropriate counties for action.
(C) Part 2: Recommended guidelines by review section traffic design section.
(1) Traffic design will follow the department's regulations for driveways and median openings on non-access controlled highways. (copy attached)
(2) Any access to a state highway from subdivision needs to be able to accommodate appropriate emergency vehicles. Traffic impact studies are required for development that generates more than 125 vehicles per day. This means a typical subdivision of 20 or more lots will need a traffic impact study if it accesses directly to a state route. Typically a traffic impact study is required if one has not been submitted and there is a question of need.
(a) In all instances, whether a traffic impact study is submitted or not, we are concerned about the safety and efficiency of the access points on to our state routes. The driveway regulations provide further details.
(b) Any subdivision development requests that affect access controlled routes must be submitted to the Department's Access Control Review Committee and the appropriate district.
(D) Appropriate district office.
(1) District review overlaps traffic designs review in that they follow the regulations for driveways and median openings on non-access controlled highways, but are more familiar with the area and have a better grasp of other development in the area for more localized comments.
(2) District will look at traffic control plans for traffic safety and comment if changes need to be made.
(3) District will review traffic impact analysis reports and comment.
(E) Project development.
(1) Project developments main review is concerned with the impact the proposed subdivision will have on present planned road projects and projected project development.
(2) Project development will advise of any know planned roadway improvements in the immediate or adjacent areas of planned subdivisions to assure that improvements are coordinated.
(F) Drainage.
(1) When the subdivision is abutting the highway, existing drainage should be maintained. The drainage within the highway right of way shall not be altered or impeded.
(2) When the subdivision is located upstream of the highway, no additional run-off will be allowed to drain into the highway drainage structures. Historical drainage shall be maintained.
(3) All drainage structures within the highway right-of-way shall be sized for 50-year design drainage storm.
(4) Lands engineering reviews land use proposals affecting state highway with respect to survey data, highway right-of-way limits, access control and encroachments.
(Ord. passed 5-1-2000) Penalty, see § 151.999