I happen to really enjoy the history behind our housing options here in Los Alamos. But a few of my readers have recently asked if I have any information regarding up and coming plans for potential NEW housing in Los Alamos County. If you want to see what’s in the pipe, you can always check the Community Development Page HERE. But here are a few of the possible and/or probable new housing projects going in around the county.

Arkansas Place

You might not know this property by its contemporary name, but almost everyone in Los Alamos County knows of The Black Hole. This was once home to the Piggly Wiggly before Ed Grothus acquired the property for the use of his Los Alamos Sales Company. Although Rutherford Homes advertises on their website that Arkansas Place will be ready for move in by Spring of 2021, a quick drive by the property suggests they might be behind schedule. The last update on the Community Development page happened in December of 2019. This project was most definitely affected by Covid-19, but it does seems as though there has been work going on lately.

The plans submitted to the county council boast 44 townhouses each with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. Units are designed to be tall and narrow with a two car garage at the base of each home. Two of the units are freestanding and the others are duplexes. Considering the location and the builder’s promise of an open floor plan, the views throughout each home are likely to be magnificent. Go to the Rutherford Homes website for more information and to sign up for updates.

Ponderosa Estates Phase 3

According to the Los Alamos County Development page, the newest expansion of Ponderosa Estates near the Guaje Cemetery is moving forward. Final sketches have been approved and the council is awaiting the submission of a final subdivision plan. Even on the most recent satellite imagery it is possible to see machinery in the area of construction. If you’re wondering where exactly this new phase is going to go, you’re probably not alone.

New lots in Ponderosa Acres to the left of Maple Dr as planned on the Los Alamos Parcel Viewer

Over 30 years ago, the original plan was for 222 dwellings on 111 acres. This latest phase will have a higher density of homes than originally planned. The reasoning behind this change might surprise you. Sure. We could use the additional housing, but the first phase of Ponderosa Estates was pre Cerro Grande fire. The area now proposed for building was affected by fire and flood, which changed the density of the vegetation. Several decades later the builder has proposed that this makes the terrain better able to support more homes per acre. Still, it’s a little daunting to imagine 49 residential lots on 11.62 acres. That works out to be about .24 acres per lot.

This is a view of the existing parcels from the same map. The difference in parcel size is fairly significant.

It might be hoped that smaller parcel sizes in larger quantities might help to offset the increased costs of building a home in 2022 vs what the cost per sq ft was back in 1993 when phase 1 was started. One thing is for certain, this neighborhood has amazing outdoor access for those lucky enough to call it home. As of yet, nothing has been mentioned about Phase 4. The parcel map below shows the location of this final phase. If you’d like to explore the Los Alamos County Parcel Viewer, click HERE.

Phase 4 will likely occupy the large yellow section outlined in red.

The Hill Apartments

In case you’ve no idea where these are located, you’ll find them just below the hospital at the end of 35th Street on the Omega Canyon side. The plans submitted to the county suggest the completed apartment complex will include 149 units. The plot of land is just under 10 acres, so probably larger than most of us realized.

I think we should expect a little more work to be done on Trinity Drive in that area over the next several years. 149 new apartments will generate quite a lot of traffic during the morning and evening commute. That’s also in the general vicinity of the proposed new location of Los Alamos favorite, Pet Pangaea. The plans submitted to the county included a storefront on the corner of 35th Street and Trinity and four apartments on the second floor of the structure.

North Mesa

Any development of the land on North Mesa between the Middle School and the baseball fields has been tabled for the moment. That land belongs to the Los Alamos School District. However, there is another privately owned plot of land right beside Broadview now under consideration for housing.

This chunk of approximately 17 acres is currently addressed as 659 San Ildefonso Rd. There has been a bit of buzz lately in the Daily Post and around town that this might become a new subdivision. If so, the lots along Pueblo Canyon would include some really lovely views.

A canyon view is one of the coolest perks of living in Los Alamos.

Since the beginning of private housing in Los Alamos County, developers have been a bit wary of putting too many houses on North Mesa. Remember that access to North Mesa is tricky in bad weather or when it comes to evacuation. While traveling through Rendija Canyon isn’t exactly a pleasant way to evacuate, Barranca Mesa does offer this as an alternative to the roundabout. Exiting Barranca Mesa also involves a right turn onto Diamond Drive into a dedicated lane. Not so for those of us coming from North Mesa. Depending upon the number of additional homes being planned for the future, it might require some additional infrastructure to address traffic issues.

Regardless of what part of the county you live in, there’s no doubt that life in Los Alamos comes with plenty of adventure. Whether you like the outdoors, the history, or just the small town community feel, Los Alamos is a great place to be! When you’re ready to talk housing in Los Alamos, give me a call! I’m your hometown real estate broker.