June GRIT Ready for Viewing
June GRIT 2026 Ready for Viewing
What’s Inside This Issue:
Also in this month's GRIT: wildfire risk reduction efforts, a proposed yard waste pilot program, practical tumbleweed control tips, the local Buy Nothing sharing community, energy-saving ideas for summer, Board updates, and more.
June 6 Workshop-Be prepared: Wildfire Risk Reduction in Sandia Heights
All of our neighborhood is vulnerable to wildfire. Learn specific ways to reduce risks for your family and improve community preparedness from a local experienced expert. Methods for reducing wildfire dangers in all of Sandia Heights will be reviewed, including areas at higher risk because of limited evacuation routes and terrain that can be challenging for firefighting response.
Note: This workshop has been expanded for all of Sandia Heights due to extreme wildfire risk this summer. Break-out groups by neighborhood sections included. This workshop is organized by the Environment and Safety Committee of the Sandia Heights Homeowner's Association.
Speaker: Lt. Joshua Skrondahl, Bernalillo County Wildland Fire Coordinator.
Date: Saturday, June 6, 9:30-11:00am
Place: Good Shepherd Church, 7834 Tennyson St NE
Pre-register: In the event that Lt. Skrodahl is called away to a wildfire, we will notify participants of workshop postponement. Please register so that we can notify you of any changes.
Click here to register: Sandia Heights Wildfire Workshop - June 6, 9:30-11:00am – Fill out form
E&S Committee survey
Dear Sandia Heights Homeowners,
Many residents are concerned with the increased wildfire risks to our community during this prolonged drought. The SHHA Environmental and Safety Committee is exploring a new community-based program to make it easier for residents to remove yard waste and vegetation that contribute to this risk.
Take the 2–3 minute survey.
Current yard waste services make it difficult to remove materials most relevant to wildfire mitigation. Bundling requirements and restrictions on items such as cactus, large branches, and bulky vegetation create practical barriers for many residents. Collected yard waste is transported to the municipal landfill, where it becomes part of the overall landfill burden.
We are evaluating a pilot program that would provide coordinated yard waste collection, explore options for chipping, composting, or reuse, and help address these challenges through a practical, neighborhood-based approach.
Your input will help determine:
- What types of materials need to be addressed
- How much yard waste exists across the neighborhood
- What kind of program would work best
This feedback will directly shape a pilot program planned for this summer (subject to BernCo grant funding) and help determine whether a longer-term solution is feasible.
Thank you for helping improve wildfire safety and reduce yard waste going to the landfill in our community.
Success at the May 12 BernCo hearing
Success at the May 12 Hearing
At the May 12 hearing, the Bernalillo County Commission granted the appeals filed by the Sandia Heights Homeowners Association and two other community entities, resulting in denial of PNM’s application for the proposed electrical substation on Paseo del Norte and transmission lines along Tramway Boulevard.
Thank You to the Community
This outcome was made possible through months of sustained community involvement.
Residents attended hearings, submitted letters and comments, reviewed technical materials, coordinated outreach efforts, and helped ensure that community concerns remained visible throughout the process.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make our collective voice heard.
What Happens Next
The denial of this specific proposal does not eliminate the need for electrical infrastructure improvements in northeast Albuquerque.
SHHA and the Technical Working Group (TWG), representing the appellant organizations and the broader SHHA/NAA communities, have expressed willingness to continue working with PNM to explore alternative substation locations and transmission alignments that better address both infrastructure needs and community impacts.
It is hoped that this collaborative process will continue in the months ahead.
More Information Coming Soon
Watch for the June edition of the GRIT for additional details and coverage of the hearing, the appeal process, and next steps.
Selling Real Estate in Sandia Heights
Selling Real Estate in Sandia Heights
Dear Real Estate Professional:
The Sandia Heights Homeowners Association has produced a promotional information card for your use when selling Sandia Heights properties.
This attractive 5x7 double-sided card was created to give potential buyers essential information about Sandia Heights before and during the sales process via QR codes that link to our website’s pages for Sandia Heights Covenants, Architectural Guidelines, and community newsletter. We envision it to be used at open houses and in information packets given to your clients. It was especially designed to answer questions about our neighborhood and to welcome homeowners.
Hardcopy cards are available at the Sandia Heights Homeowners Association office. A printable copy is also available under the “information” tab on the top banner of the Sandia Heights website homepage, https://sandiahomeowners.org/info-card-realtors.
The Sandia Heights Homeowners Association office is located at 12700 San Rafael NE, Suite 3. Office hours are 9-4 Monday through Thursday, 9-12 Friday. You may call ahead at 505-797-7793.
We encourage you to take advantage of these cards to enhance and inform your sales process. We also welcome your feedback on their design and use: shha@sandiahomeowners.org
Thank you
Sandia Heights Homeowners Association
Sign up to speak at the PNM hearing on May 12, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
Sign up to speak at the PNM hearing on May 12, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
Sign up to speak out!
If you wish to speak at the PNM hearing on Tuesday.
Please follow the link below and select the Board of County Commissioners meeting on 5/12.
Once you are there, fill out the information requested and submit it. Their website has a glitch.
You can only "sign up to speak", not "speak and leave a comment".
Each speaker will be given one minute.
Here's the link: https://www.bernco.gov/boards-commissions/speak-at-a-meeting/
Bernalillo County Commission PNM hearing reminder
Reminder: Bernalillo County Commission PNM hearing May 12, 2026 @ 3pm
Please join us as we continue to oppose PNM's plan to build a substation on Paseo del Norte and place transmission lines on Tramway.
The number of Sandia Heights residents attending the past two hearings has had a real impact on the Commissioners.
No need to worry about driving on the one-way streets or parking downtown, for your convenience, we are providing bus transportation to the hearing from the SHHA office.
Reservations will be taken until Monday, May 11 at 10am. You must RSVP in order to insure you have a seat on the bus.
RSVP link : You are invited to sign up for bus transportation for the PNM Substation Hearing. – Fill out form
or meet us at the meeting on Tuesday, the address is below:
Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers Bernalillo County Alvarado Square 415 Silver Ave SW
May GRIT Ready for Viewing
May GRIT 2026 Ready for Viewing
What’s Inside This Issue:
You’ll also find details on upcoming wildfire preparedness workshops focused on vent protection and evacuation challenges, along with a timely reminder about safety and courtesy on the busy Tramway multi-use path.
Community events are picking up with Food Truck Thursdays, Dog Day at the Tram, and the Tramway trash pickup.
This issue also includes community contributions on infrastructure and public process, neighbor appreciation notes, a local photography request for a New Mexico Geological Society guidebook, and a featured poetry excerpt from Catch a Twinkle.