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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Bernalillo County commissioners agreed late Tuesday to consider financial incentives to help improve the attractions atop Sandia Peak – including the possibility of building New Mexico’s first “mountain coaster,” a roller coaster that could race beneath the forest canopy.

The commission accepted introduction of a proposal to issue $9 million in industrial revenue bonds to help finance renovation of the High Finance restaurant and other improvements.

The applicants are Sandia Peak Ski Co. and Peak Dining LLC, and they would be responsible for repaying the bonds. The IRB transaction, however, usually reduces borrowing costs and provides tax breaks.

The details will come before the County Commission for final approval at a future meeting.

Benny Abruzzo of Sandia Peak Ski Co. said the installation of a mountain coaster, among other improvements, depends on approval by the Forest Service. If approved, it could open as soon as 2018.

The coaster – on rails elevated off the ground, like a roller coaster – would operate throughout the summer and winter seasons.

“We think it’s going to be incredibly successful,” Abruzzo said in an interview.

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A bistro and bar are also planned.

In other action, the County Commission approved:

Changing the zoning code to make it easier to build microbreweries and wineries outside city limits.

The changes allow businesses to make beer or wine – when paired with a restaurant – in the county’s basic commercial zoning. That would make it easier to carry out such projects because a special permit wouldn’t be necessary.