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Submitted by Susan Vigil
If I were a young neighborhood in the 70’s and 80’s, as were most of the communities in northeast Albuquerque, I would happily anticipate the emerging shape of the city - how the commercial connections of Eubank, Juan Tabo and Tramway might contribute to the transference of culture and goods, from downtown centers to our new suburban homes.
I think the older neighborhoods wondered too how the pasture land at the base of the mountain was filling in with respectful folks. Twenty-six years ago, Sue Hilts and her husband bought a home in the new John B. Robert neighborhood. “When we moved in Spain was a one lane dirt road and Tramway was a dirt road.” Perhaps, intuitively, the northeast neighborhood felt obligated to the rocky cliffs overshadowing them, in particular, a stretch of mountain desert garden pressed by housing to the north and south caught their attention. A leftover oasis of historical Sandia ecology, the arroyo was threatened by recreational development soon after housing was in place. Sue gathered together a group of dedicated neighbors in 1983 to form the John B. Robert Neighborhood Association. Today she again holds the place of neighborhood association president. “The Open Space and its preservation is this neighborhood association’s founding mission,” declares Sue.
Beginning in 1982, the fight to preserve the arroyo lasted nine years. The John B. Robert Neighborhood Association canvassed night and day to save as Sue calls it, “this little stretch of heaven”. Sue walked her neighborhood, pushing her small daughter in a carriage, knocking on neighbors doors to raise awareness of the arroyo open space issue. The association held every type of fundraiser imaginable and elicited support from organizations such as the Nature Conservancy (a.k.a. Robert Redford). They actively sought media and local government attention. They maintained contact with the Albuquerque Journal and Tribune newspapers while eliciting endorsements from former mayors such Harry Kinney and Mayor Martin J. Chávez. John B. Robert Neighborhood Association persevered, raising $20,000 toward purchase of the Bear Canyon Arroyo Open Space extension between Juan Tabo and Tramway. The arroyo was proudly declared Open Space in 1992. Sue offers this advice, “I don’t know where we would be without a neighborhood association…if you organize it, get the issue and stay with it. Always keep your vision in sight and don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do it.”
Bear Canyon Arroyo Open Space protects the awe-inspiring views found in the John B. Robert’s area. The dam and arroyo control a 100 year flood plain designed by a trusted AMAFCA engineer in the 1960’s named John B. Robert. Peering west through the arroyo one sees stark desert broken by the soft blue sky and the snow of Mount Taylor. To the north lie the distant green mountains of Santa Fe.
Southern skies are sliced by La Drones jagged edge. To the east rest the mammoth days and lantern moons of the Sandia Mountains.
The Upper Heights Design Overlay Zone Draft is written to reflect the value of these awe-inspiring views and quality of design within the specified zone. “The specific design criteria of the zone are intended to create an attractive streetscape, maintain open vistas, and preserve scenic views of the Sandias to the west and the valley and volcanoes to the east.” (p.2, The Upper Heights Design Overlay Zone, Draft) The Planning report goes on to specify the large size of the area, the highly scenic mountain views, visible along major transportation corridors and the strong role of arterial corridors in the area as qualifications for choosing design overlay zoning for the District 8 area. The design overlay tool is meant to be used as a “supplemental zoning regulation that guides aspects of site and architectural design. It does not regulate use.” (p.2, Upper Heights Design Overlay Zone, Draft). To view the Upper Heights Design Overlay Zone Draft, visit this site.
John B. Robert Neighborhood Association and other District 8 neighborhoods supported the overlay as a chance to create regulations strictly governing or protecting view sheds and codifies protecting setbacks. Furthermore, proposed zoning in the Upper Heights Design Overlay Zone curbs the visual clutter created by discordant building types and commercial signs. John B. Robert Neighborhood Association fosters close ties with neighborhood developers to ensure consistent design in their area. One friendly developer and property owner distributed his entire architectural design to Sue. The drawings depict a refined two story adobe office building with pedestrian pathways and small gardens.
Great Streets Reaches DRAFT Stage
The Draft Great Streets Facility Plan, recently prepared by the City of Albuquerque Planning Department also pertains to the John B. Robert NA. The neighborhood is located between Juan Tabo and Tramway, just north of Montgomery and south of Spain. The Montoya Branch of CNM Campus, a ranch style Flying Star Café, and shopping galore are found just down the street at the intersection of Juan Tabo Boulevard NE and Montgomery Boulevard NE. A walkable neighborhood would greatly enhance the quality of life for the neighborhood. Sue cautions, “Safety is an issue. I don’t feel comfortable walking down Juan Tabo…You are taking your life in your hands even to use the crosswalks on Tramway” due to fast moving traffic. Her ideals for a more walkable community include: ABQ Uptown; respect for pedestrians, slower traffic throughout the area and smaller parking areas. A Trader Joe’s would also be welcome.
The John B. Robert Neighborhood Association and District 8 areas are beautiful parts of Albuquerque. The people here care deeply about the city, its look, shape and potential. Visionary as ever, Sue foresees, “it would be a wonderful city just to get out and walk… Albuquerque has always had so much potential.” John B. Robert Neighborhood Association’s history, their ability to organize and manifest their ideals promises a future of lush development and design for the area.
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