THE LAS DOS COVENANTS
“Land covenants are rules that apply to land and affect how you can use the land. The rules can either make a landowner do something or prevent the landowner from doing something on the land. The rule(s) are registered on land titles. They are promises tied to the land which each owner has to follow. “”
Upon Nina Otero’s death, the Las Dos property was given to Nina’s nephews, Dr. Bergere Kenney and his brother, Jack Kenney. Both lived in Santa Fe, NM. In 1973, Jack and Bergere Kenney created the of Las Dos Subdivision, which has since become home to a committed group of conservationists and wild life lovers. Jack and Bergere’s environmental covenants for Las Dos eventually helped to form the Santa Fe County land development regulations. Jack Kenney was also president of the Sierra Club.
The three original Homestead houses are still standing and cared for by Nina Otero’s great-nieces and great-nephews, who love the land and history.
In 2021, our family group is putting resources and attention into our family legacy for the fourth generation. We are building a small bathhouse with electricity and water so that the next generation will utilize and care for the property. All upgrades are compliant with the convenants. The three original Homestead Houses were placed in a grandchildren’s trust. Presently, over 310 acres are still owned by descendants of the original homesteader, Nina Otero- Warren.
In the creation of the Las Dos covenants, the two brothers, Jack and Bergere Kenney, Nina’s nephews, reviewed Aldo Leopold’s land ethic to take guidances from the conservationist.
The covenants address these items:
Land use:
Preservation of native plants and trees
Restriction of quantity of large animals
Restriction of grazing
Restriction of hunting
Restriction of off road vehicles due to erosion
Restriction of any form of dumping pollutants into the ground water or soil
Prohibition of use of herbicides and non-natural pesticides
Water conservation:
Using drought resistant native plants for landscaping
Low flush toilets and shower head restrictions
Encourage water runoff harvesting
Well meters to manage water use
The Covenants are overseen by the Architectural Control Committee, a small group of Las Dos landowners, who review potential construction and enforce compliance to maintain integrity of the land.
See here the original Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions for Los Dos Phase III :