Pueblo of Sandia
Dear Residents,
The Pueblo of Sandia is seeking federal legislation that would transfer approximately 10,000 acres within the T’uf Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area along the western face of the Sandia Mountains into trust as part of the Pueblo of Sandia Indian Reservation, “for the benefit of the Tribe." This area extends from south of the Tram north almost to Placitas, and from the current eastern boundary of the Pueblo all the way up to the Crest. Because this proposal could affect issues important to our community – including public access, outdoor recreation, wildfire management, and property values in the area – the SHHA Board is gathering input from residents before discussing whether to support, oppose, or take no official position on the issue.
Please take a few minutes to read the background information and complete the feedback form. Your comments will help the Board’s discussion at future board meetings.
Many thanks to you.
August GRIT Ready for Viewing
August GRIT Ready for Viewing
What’s Inside This Issue:
The August 2026 issue of GRIT highlights Sandia Pueblo’s proposal to transfer approximately 10,000 acres within the T’uf Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area into federal trust, including a community survey for resident feedback. Also included are the latest developments in the PNM substation appeal, an illustrated guide explaining how electricity is delivered to homes, neighborhood wildfire and safety updates, community events, and other Sandia Heights news.
August GRIT: Sandia Pueblo Proposal, PNM Appeal, and More
Sandia Pueblo is seeking federal legislation to transfer approximately 10,000 acres within the T’uf Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area into federal trust. Because the proposal affects land bordering Sandia Heights, we’ve created a webpage with background information and a community survey. Please take a few minutes to learn more and share your feedback. The August GRIT also includes the latest update on the PNM substation appeal, an illustrated explanation of how electricity reaches your home, wildfire and neighborhood safety information, community events, and the annual Fourth of July parade and Roadrunner Food Bank food drive.
PNM update
Good Afternoon Sandia Heights Residents,
A quick update on the status of the Bernalillo County Commissioners denial of PNM's proposed substation application on Paseo del Norte and the 115 kV transmission lines down Tramway Blvd. PNM filed an appeal and here is the status:
LATEST
The Administrative Record (all the documents and transcripts from the Bernalillo County hearings) were filed in Second Judicial District Court on July 15, 2026.
NEXT STEPs
PNM has 33 days from that filing to file a “Statement of Appellate Issues” which is a 25 page brief describing how PNM thinks the Bernalillo County Commissioners violated the law or was arbitrary and capricious in its decision. 33 days after PNM’s Statement is filed, the County and SHHA and the North Albuquerque Acres Resident Coalition (NAARC) will file a 25 page Response Brief to the Statement of Appellate Issues where we will rebut PNM’s claims. Then 33 days after that PNM can file a Reply. Then, the District Court Judge, Dan Ramczyk, at its convenience, will either hold a hearing on the matter or will decide it on the papers. This process may take up to a year.
Whomever loses can file a petition for writ of certiorari to the Court of Appeals 30 days after the District Court makes its decision.
We will continue to keep you updated.
Taco & Margarita Fiesta – Arrival Schedule
Taco & Margarita Fiesta – Arrival Schedule
Dear Fiesta-Goers,
What a great problem to have - so many of you have signed up for the SHHA-sponsored Taco & Margarita Fiesta on Saturday, August 1!
The good news is that everyone will fit at the Homestead Café. However, the owner, Jory Rosen, has asked us to stagger arrivals so the food stays fresh and the bar and waitstaff are not overwhelmed. To help make the evening run smoothly, we've divided guests into three suggested arrival groups. You're welcome to stay as long as you'd like.
Arrival schedule:
- Last names A – G: 5:00 p.m.
- Last names H – O: 5:45–6:00 p.m.
- Last names P – Z: 6:45–7:00 p.m.
If you need to arrive earlier or later than your assigned time, please feel free to join a different group. These suggested arrival times are simply to help ensure fresher food, shorter waits at the bar, and a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Community Service & Membership Committee
Sandia Heights Homeowners Association (SHHA)
Postponed Wildfire Preparedness Workshop on Vent Protection
Wildfire Preparedness Workshop on Vent Protection Postponed
Questions regarding building codes, safety considerations, and best practices have recently been brought to our attention and require additional research. While we regret the postponement, the Environment & Safety Committee is committed to providing homeowners with information that is accurate, current, and consistent with applicable codes and wildfire preparedness recommendations.
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to rescheduling the workshop once this review is complete. A new date will be announced as soon as it is available.
Wildfire Event workshop July 15, 2026
SHHA Wildfire Vent Workshop Alert: Register Now for Wednesday, July 15, at 7:30-9:00 pm
SHHA Workshop: Learn How Protect Your House Vents to Deter Wildfire Embers
Wednesday, July 15 • 7:30–9:00 PM
Church of the Good Shepherd
Vent protection is one of two things we as homeowners can do to substantially reduce our risk of a wildfire destroying our home.
Wildfire embers blown through unprotected exterior vents into crawl spaces, attics and garages is the most likely way a home would be damaged or lost.
The SHHA Environment & Safety Committee invites you to join us to learn how to fabricate and install ember-resistant vent covers to help protect your home from wildfire. This workshop will feature covering passive air exchange vents including:
- overview of the theory
- displays of materials and tools needed
- demos on how you can create flat and bonnet covers for your air exchange vents
Also receive a full-color Vent Picture Guide that describes which vents to cover and which vents homeowners should never cover, plus material and supplies lists.
Free, but pre-registration is required using the link below:
Important Update: PNM Alert and SHHA Response
SHHA Update Regarding PNM Substation Project
Dear Neighbor,
You may have received or may receive the following notice:
PNM Alert: Periods of extreme heat and high electricity demand may affect the electric system serving far Northeast Albuquerque. If needed, we’ll ask customers to voluntarily reduce energy use between 4–9 p.m. to help support grid reliability. For more information, including outage preparedness resources, visit PNM.com/ProtectTheGrid
SHHA Special Task Group Continued Efforts
The SHHA opposed the PNM substation project not because a new substation is not needed, but because as a result of PNM’s poor planning and a deeply flawed site selection process, PNM proposed to build the substation in the middle of a residential neighborhood. PNM ignored the many available and suitable commercial sites in the area. The County Commission agreed that PNM’s selected site was not substantiated by the data, and PNM is appealing this decision in the Second Judicial District Court. We are not experts in power transmission. Additionally, PNM has not made available the power demand and load data, so we cannot evaluate PNM’s claim that the lack of a substation is causing a critical, immediate need. We do note that even if the substation had been approved by Bernalillo County last month, construction would have taken many months or years, and we would be in the same predicament this summer. We have and will continue to work with PNM to identify an appropriate location for a new substation to accommodate local energy distribution needs. But we do not think it is fair or appropriate for PNM to blame its failure to plan for infrastructure on residents who are trying to preserve their neighborhoods.
How You May Help
Nevertheless, we encourage residents to conserve power during the current heatwave, especially during peak hours, to avoid or minimize brownouts.
Thank you for your continued support,
The SHHA PNM Special Task Group
Updated RSVP link for: Taco and Margarita Summer Fiesta
Sandia Heights Neighborhood Taco & Margarita Summer Fiesta
Sandia Heights residents join us for a TACO AND MARGARITA SUMMER FIESTA!!! (Updated RSVP link below)
Connect with old friends and meet new ones - all are welcome. Tacos (veggie, chicken, and beef) will be provided by SHHA, and discounted drinks will be available for purchase.
Saturday, August 1st at 5 p.m.
The Homestead Cafe
40 Tramway Road (at the base of the tram)
RSVP link: https://forms.gle/baBMCq3k5E3wLbgr6