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Updates on Planning and Zoning Related Legislation

Below is a list of planning-related items that will be heard at full Council or LUPZ in the coming weeks.

General Legislation

  • C/S R-15-274 (Full Council) | R-15-274 would amend the Coors Corridor Plan as it relates to design standards for signage. The plan currently doesn’t allow temporary signs such as banners and pennants. This amendment would allow businesses to use such signs temporarily in a situation where they were forced to relocate due to unavoidable events such as a fire. The business owner would be permitted to use one 3-foot by 6-foot temporary sign for up to 90 days to inform the public of their relocation. A committee substitute that amended minor grammatical errors was approved by the LUPZ committee on March 16th. The committee voted to send the bill, as substituted, to Council with a recommendation of Do Pass.
  • C/S O-16-5 (Full Council) | The Planning Department is proposing an update to the landscape regulations within the Zoning Code. The intent of this legislation is to update the existing language to be more reflective of Albuquerque’s high desert environment, and to put more emphasis on the tree canopy coverage by adding incentives for using trees in landscaping. The EPC heard the proposed changes at their November 12th meeting and have recommended approval based on findings and conditions. A committee substitute that clarified language in the bill was passed by the LUPZ committee on March 16th. The committee voted to send the bill, as substituted, to Council with a recommendation of Do Pass.
  • C/S O-16-6 (Full Council) | This is a companion bill to O-15-6, above, and proposes to amend the part of the Traffic Code that regulates the requirement of street trees for new developments or redevelopments over 200 square feet. This bill will adjust the requirements for street trees to enhance the quality of the public environment and incentivize growth of the tree canopy. A committee substitute that clarified language in the bill was passed by the LUPZ committee on March 16th. The committee voted to send the bill, as substituted, to Council with a recommendation of Do Pass. 
  • C/S R-16-12 (Full Council) | This bill would establish a priorities list for the City of Albuquerque’s future Open Space Land acquisitions and identify priorities and special provisions for specific properties. This bill was heard at the February 10th LUPZ hearing, where a committee substitute that clarified and amended language regarding priorities for land acquisition was introduced. This bill was heard by the LUPZ committee on March 16th, who voted to send the bill, as substituted, to Council with a recommendation of Do Pass.
  • O-16-13 (Full Council) | This bill would amend the existing ordinance relating to the duties of the Open Space Advisory Board. Specifically, this amendment addresses how official priorities are designated, how the City evaluates open space priorities, and reevaluates certain aspects of the land acquisition process. This bill was heard by the LUPZ committee on March 16th, who voted to send the bill, as substituted, to Council with a recommendation of Do Pass.

District Specific Legislation

District 9

  • R-16-13 (Full Council) | R-16-13 would adopt an East Gateway Metropolitan Development Plan for the existing East Gateway Metropolitan Development Area. The purpose of the Plan is to revitalize parcels along Central Avenue, from Wyoming to Four Hills Rd, creating a more welcoming corridor for residents and visitors. This bill was heard by the LUPZ committee on March 16th, who voted to send the bill, as substituted, to Council with a recommendation of Do Pass. The project website can be found here.
    • A substitute will be prepared for this bill before the Council meeting that will amend the plan to include comments from a community meeting held in early March.

Other Council-related Projects

ABC-Z Project (Comprehensive Plan update and Integrated Development Ordinance 

Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan

An early draft of proposed updates to the Comprehensive Plan was posted on abc-zone.com in January 2015 for review and discussion.  Since then, the project team has continued to refine and consolidate policies, strengthen connections across chapters, and incorporate photos and graphics.  A revised draft will be posted in April 2016.  Comments may be submitted via abc-zone.com or email [email protected].

Public meetings will be held in April to discuss the revision and prepare the final draft to be submitted to the City’s Environmental Planning Commission as the first step in the review and approval process.

Thursday, April 14:  Plan Overview / General Discussion

  • 1:30 – 3 pm Highland Senior Center, 131 Monroe Ave. NE
  • 6-7:30 pm Patrick J. Baca Library (Central/Unser) Library, 8081 Central Ave. NW

Friday, April 15: Focus Groups by Topic – Alvarado Transit Center, 100 1st St. SW, 2nd Floor

  • 8:30 – 10 am:  Land Use
  • 10:30-12 pm: Transportation
  • 12:30 -1:30 pm: Plan Overview / General Discussion
  • 2-3:30 pm:  Heritage Conservation
  • 3:30-5 pm: Neighborhoods

Albuquerque Integrated Development Ordinance 

The IDO will replace the City’s zoning code, subdivision ordinance, and other land use regulations.  It is being drafted in three modules.  After incorporating comments collected after each module, a full draft with revisions will be released for review and discussion in Fall 2016.

  • Module 1:  Zones and uses – See draft on abc-zone.com for review and comment. 
  • Module 2:  Dimensional standards (building heights, setbacks, landscaping, parking requirements, etc.) – To be posted on abc-zone.com for review and comment in April 2016.
  • Module 3:  Required review and approval processes for development – expected Summer 2016.

Public meetings on Module 2 are scheduled for May 2016 to provide a general overview.  Follow-up meetings by topic will be scheduled over the summer.

  • Monday, May 9
    • 1:30-3 pm: Plaza del Sol, Basement Hearing Room, 600 2nd St. NW
    • 6-7:30 pm:  Patrick J. Baca Library (Central/Unser), 8081 Central Ave. NW
  • Tuesday, May 10
    • 6-7:30 pm: Don Newton/Taylor Ranch Community Center, 4900 Kachina St. NW
  • Monday, May 16
    • 1:30-3 pm: Plaza del Sol, Basement Hearing Room, 600 2nd St. NW
    • 6-7:30 pm:  North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7521 Carmel Ave. NE
  • Tuesday, May 17
    • 6-7:30 pm:  Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, 501 Elizabeth St. SE

Relevant Meeting Dates, Times, and Locations

City Council Meeting

April 4, 2016 | 5:00pm | Vincent E. Griego Chambers | Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government Center

Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee Meeting (LUPZ)

- Tentative, no agenda items at this time

April 13, 2016 | 5:00pm | Council Committee Room | 9th Floor, Suite 9081

ABC-Z Public Meetings

See schedule above.