High Desert Living

Situated just east of Tramway and just south of Spain Road, the Aerie at High Desert was envisioned by developers as a starter-home development, but it has been warmly embraced by "empty nesters" as well. Our 74 single-family lots are mostly freestanding patio homes (though there are a few joined townhomes), all finished in the Territorial style (New Mexico's version of the Nineteenth Century Greek Revival style) of American architecture. Most of our homes were built in the ten years after the first were finished in 1998. Two locked pedestrian gates allow residents to stroll onto Spain at the east- and westernmost points of the Aerie, but vehicle traffic enters our "loop" through a single point on Cortaderia Place where Golden Aster Road leads to the Aerie's entry at Clara Vista Drive.

Because the city code requires houses be situated five feet from the side property lines, most small-lot developments in Albuquerque have narrow, unusable side yards. The developers of the Aerie avoided this confined feeling by including a master-plan covenant that the entirety of the property on one size of each house is zoned for the "use and enjoyment" of the neighbor on that side - this results in a pleasant patio space for the residents of every house in the Aerie, and most of our residents have outfitted these yards with terraces and Xeric garden features to become "outdoor rooms" that brings family living areas outside where families can enjoy our wonderful New Mexico weather.

High Desert is a wonderful place to have pets with myriad walking paths, trails and open spaces to explore with your animals. Of course, all City of Albuquerque ordinances regarding proper restraint and control of animals apply to us as well.

In addition, to keep our unique environment clean and healthy for people and animals alike, our Association has placed a special waste disposal station at the south side of the Trillium park. These waste disposal stations are available throughout the High Desert community.

Nearly $20,000 is budgeted each year by High Desert Homeowners Association to maintain these stations and, unfortunately, to clean up after people who are too lazy or inconsiderate to use them. So, whether in the neighborhood or on the trail, please be courteous to your neighbors and kind to your community and dispose of your pet’s waste properly. It will be appreciated!

Monday is our trash and recycling day here in High Desert. Solid waste pickup is weekly; your containers should be at the curb by 7 a.m. Please do not put them out any earlier than necessary and please remove them from the curb as soon as possible after dumping. When your containers are not in use, High Desert rules require that they be stored in your garage or behind your wall, screened from public view.

Recycling

Curbside recycling service is also provided every Monday. We are fortunate that Albuquerque accepts a wide range of recyclable items. The website www.cabq.gov/solidwaste/recycling/acceptable-materials provides a full list.

Items for curbside recycling should be placed in your blue recycling bin, and that bin should be placed at least 5 feet from your trash can. Again, it should be properly secured so that the contents do not blow around. They don't accept glass, so take that to a recycling convenience center by the Bear Canyon Senior Center or behind the Sonic next to Lowes.

Further information on Albuquerque's trash and recycling programs may be found at the Solid Waste Management Department website at www.cabq.gov/solidwaste/

All property is assessed for tax purposes by the Bernalillo County Assessor as of January 1 of each year. 

Around the first of April, you will receive a Notice of Value specifying the dollar value of your lot and home that will be used in calculating that year’s property tax bill. It pays to review this Notice carefully, as you have only a limited amount of time to file a protest if you believe your property has been assessed incorrectly.

Additionally, many residents overlook the exemptions to which they may be entitled. Every New Mexico resident is allowed a $2000 “Head of Family” exemption on their primary residence and Veterans may qualify for an additional exemption of up to $4000. These exemptions are not automatic, however. You must complete the form included on the Notice of Value and return it by the date specified to receive these exemptions for the current year. (After the first year, they will continue to appear until ownership changes.)

Property assessments and tax bills are a matter of public record. If you’re interested in knowing how your assessment compares to that of your neighbors, go to the Bernalillo County website at www.bernco.gov/ and select "Search Records" under the "Residents" menu then click on “Property Records Search."

Under the By-laws of the High Desert Residential Owners Association, the Board of Directors is responsible for all policy, financial and administrative decisions affecting the High Desert community, including your Village. Board members are elected by Voting Members, who in turn are elected by the residents of each of the Villages on the basis of one Voting Member for each fifty homes, rounded up to the nearest fifty. Our elections are held in August of odd-numbered years and all terms are for two years. Any Owner or spouse of an Owner is eligible to run.

Service as a Voting Member is a great way to contribute to your community and help your neighbors. If you think that you might be interested or would like more information, please see the Voting Member Information Sheet under the “Documents” tab on the main HDROA website.