Planning Department
The Albuquerque Planning Department provides a full range of services from the processing of building permits to the development of long-range, regional plans and policies. The department also houses several quasi-judicial boards and commissions. The Department is comprised of several divisions, all of which are located in the Plaza del Sol Building, 600 Second Street NW. Business hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 1293, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103, 505-924-3860.
Notices
Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) Project #1003859 - Proposed Wal-Mart, Coors Boulevard and Montano Road NW (updated 1-25-12)
Requests:
(1) Amendment to Site Development Plan for Subdivision Amendment and
(2) Site Development Plan for Building Permit for a Large Retail Facility
Location: SE corner of Coors Boulevard and Montano Road NW
Acreage: approx. 60 acres
On January 19, 2012, the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) voted to CONTINUE the hearing for the above requests to Thursday, March 15, 2012, City Council Chambers, City/County Building, 1 Civic Plaza NW, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The purpose of the CONTINUANCE is to allow staff additional time to evaluate the requests and address concerns that have been raised in recent weeks, both by the public and by the EPC.
- The Planning Department will continue to take public comment regarding this matter. Comments can be e-mailed to Carmen Marrone or Catalina Lehner.
The Staff Report for the March 15, 2012 hearing will be available one week prior to the hearing, on March 8, 2012. You may access the Staff Report at cabq.gov/planning/epc/epcagenda.html. The complete file is available for viewing at the Planning Department, Plaza del Sol Building, 600 Second Street NW, 3rd floor.
Proposed Text Amendments to the Zoning Code
Project #1001620, 11EPC-40090: Proposed Text Amendments to the Zoning Code – The Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) will consider text amendments to multiple sections of the Zoning Code at its regularly scheduled Public Hearing on February 9, 2012. The proposed text can be found through the City Council’s Legislative Information Portal by searching for Ordinance O-11-1.
The amendment is intended to amend the sector plan adoption process by removing the quasi-judicial determination from the City Council and placing that process with a Hearing Officer. The amendment also cleans up minor technical errors in the Zoning Code.
The New Mexico Courts have held that certain sector plan adoptions and amendments must be treated as quasi-judicial matters. This bill makes the Council’s role with respect to Sector Plans legislative and delegates to a Hearing Officer the determination of any matters that must be decided in a quasi-judicial manner. The Hearing Officer will determine if the standards are met for requiring a quasi-judicial process after City Council approval of the plan. This change will allow City Councilors to participate in the Sector Planning process while not violating due process for quasi-judicial Sector Plans. The proposed text amendments would apply City-wide.
Please email Carrie Barkhurst, Planner or call her at 505-924-3879 for more information.
Get Your House In Order
Do you have more than one house, a guesthouse or apartment on your property? If so, do you know that it might be illegal? You need to make sure all the homes on your property are allowed to remain.
The Zoning Code, which regulates all land use within the City of Albuquerque, was first adopted on March 27, 1959. Adoption of the code brought many houses out of compliance with the new regulations. As of March 27, 1959, the Zoning Code allowed for some houses to remain forever while others were required to comply with current regulations after a number of years. For example, in residential zones where only one house is allowed and two or more exist (a duplex on an R–1 zoned property) this residential property will need to comply with new regulations by March 27, 2012.
If you think you own a property that fits this description please contact Juanita Garcia to discuss this issue. You may need to submit an application for a “Status Established Building Review Procedure.” This procedure will allow you to submit evidence to determine if your property's current use can remain. This process can take 60 to 90 days to complete, please act quickly.
Please call Juanita Garcia, Acting Code Compliance Official, 505-924-3823 or juanitagarcia@cabq.gov to obtain more information.
Contact:
Juanita Garcia, Acting Code Compliance Official
505-924-3823 or juanitagarcia@cabq.gov today!
Don't let your house expire!
- March 2011 - FEMA has issued new preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Panels. For more information, please visit our Hydrology webpage.
Divisions of the Planning Department
AGIS (Albuquerque Geographic Information Services) is the primary GIS group in the City of Albuquerque. AGIS maintains and updates dozens of layers of geographic information in a computerized format. AGIS makes special maps for the Planning Department, all other City Departments, the City Council, other government agencies and the general public.
The Building and Safety Division administers the building permit process for residential and commercial construction. This is a fundamental process for ensuring the protection of life and property.
The Code Enforcement Division includes Zoning Enforcement and Housing Code Enforcement. The mission of the Division is to regulate the occupancy level and maintenance of all residential structures within the City in order to safeguard life, health, property and public water. This Division is also responsible for administering and implementing other City Codes and Ordinances, including the Comprehensive City Zoning Code.
The Development Review Services Division reviews new building projects in the city. Their work assures that new subdivisions and commercial areas integrate well with the existing development. Their review includes transportation, drainage, utilities and parks.
The ONC (Office of Neighborhood Coordination) serves as a liaison between neighborhood associations and City government. The ONC publishes a monthly newsletter, Neighborhood News, that shares information between neighborhoods and local government.
The Planning Department's planning functions are housed in the Urban Design and Development (UD&D) Division. The UD&D Division's overall charge is to ensure internal and external coordination of long range planning, development review, and redevelopment functions that affect the physical development of Albuquerque. Three sections comprise the UD&D Division: Long Range Planning, Current Planning, and Metropolitan Redevelopment.
The UD&D Division assists and provides staff support to several land use boards, including: the City's principal Development Review Board (DRB), the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC); the City's historic preservation board, the Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission (LUCC); the City's redevelopment board, the Albuquerque Development Commission (ADC); and the (BOA), which hears appeals of special exception decisions made by the Zoning Board of Appeals, Zoning Hearing Examiner.
Need to apply for a New Mexico Business License?
Treasury Department - 505-768-3309