Santa Barbara/Martineztown Sector Development Plan

Contact: Lorena Patten-Quintana - 505-924-3940 

Consultant Team:  Phyllis Taylor, AICP, Sites Southwest L.L.C. - 505-822-8200

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Planning Department is updating the Santa Barbara/Martineztown Sector Development Plan (adopted in 1990) in collaboration with the neighborhood. The plan will address issues that were identified by the community at the first public meeting. The issues of greatest concern are: 1) zoning that does not reflect current land use; 2) flooding and drainage problems; and 3) traffic congestion on Mountain Road.

The update will also address neighborhood prioritized capital improvement projects.

Sites Southwest L.L.C. has been chosen to assist the Planning Department in updating the current plan.

PLAN BOUNDARY:

New Mexico Rail Road Tracks (west), Menaul Boulevard (north), Interstate 25 (east) and Lomas Boulevard (south).

PROJECT TIMELINE:

In June of 2007, a public meeting was held to obtain input and discuss concerns regarding existing conditions and future visions for Santa Barbara/Martineztown. This meeting initiated the City’s process of updating the 1990 Santa Barbara/Martineztown Sector Development Plan.

Several major improvements were recently completed in the plan area. These projects include: a retention pond near Odelia and Broadway; storm drain improvements along Odelia; improvements to the McKinley storm drain; and, an interim retention pond south of the Post Office and north of Lomas.

An analysis of traffic counts along Mountain Road was conducted by a local engineering firm and a separate report describing conditions and potential improvements of Mountain Road from Broadway to the I-25 Frontage Road has been generated by the Department of Municipal Development.

The draft of the plan is underway, most studies have been conducted and capital improvement projects have been prioritized by the neighborhood.

PUBLIC MEETINGS:

At the first public meeting, the participants wishing to serve on an Advisory Committee provided their information to City staff for future meetings. The Advisory Committee is mostly made up of residents within the plan area.

The City and the consultant team have held eight meetings with the Advisory Committee. The most recent meeting was held February 9, 2009 to discuss the proposed zoning and design requirements. An additional meeting was held with a subgroup of the Advisory Committee to focus on community service requests.

STATUS:

An overview of zoning proposals was presented March 23 to commercial property owners within the plan area.  The City will conduct smaller group meetings to further discuss all aspects of the plan prior to the development of a final draft.  The upcoming meetings will focus on 4 geographical segments and notices to property owners within those segments will be mailed at least 14 days in advance.