The City has committed to continually improving the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) through an annual update process.
Hearings
The City's official review/decision process has three steps, each of which includes opportunities for hearings and public comments:
City Council voted to approve the IDO Annual Update on June 17, 2024.
Council took public comments, voted on floor amendments proposed by Councilors that changed the Redline draft or amendments passed by LUPZ, and voted on the bills.
Staff Presentations
Citywide Amendments
Changes affecting properties citywide are included in O-24-13, which adopts the EPC Redline Draft, except where modified by an amendment approved at LUPZ or the full City Council.
Small Area Changes
Changes affecting properties only in a specific area are adopted as separate bills that must be heard as a quasi-judicial matter, in which Councilors act as judges instead of as legislators. For these items, the public must only interact with Councilors about these matters during public hearings.
LUPZ's Role
For each bill (Citywide + Small Area Changes) LUPZ votes to recommend approval (Do Pass) or denial (Do Not Pass), or LUPZ can pass the bill to full City Council with no recommendation.
Hearing #2
LUPZ heard proposed changes on May 15, 2024.
LUPZ took public comment, discussed and voted on proposed LUPZ amendments, and then voted to send each of the 3 bills to the full City Council.
- O-24-13 Citywide - No Recommendation
- O-24-11 Volcano Heights Urban Center - No Recommendation
- O-24-12 Northwest Mesa Escarpment View Protection Overlay Zone (VPO-2) - No Recommendation
- O-24-17 Rail Trail - No Recommendation
Hearing #1
On April 10, 2024, LUPZ heard proposed changes for the 2023 Annual Update, took public comment, and deferred to May 15.
EPC Hearing #4: Drive-throughs in the Volcano Heights Urban Center
EPC heard the proposed small area text amendment to allow drive-throughs in Mixed-use zone districts in Volcano Heights Urban Center on February 15, 2024.
Meeting Materials
- Meeting materials are posted on the EPC webpage.
- EPC voted to recommend DENIAL to the City Council. [PR-2018-001843 / RZ-2023-00044]
- Video
Hearing #3: Tribal Engagement - NW Mesa Escarpment View Protection Overlay Zone (VPO-2)
EPC heard proposed changes to add tribal nations as commenting agencies for development proposals within 660 feet of the NW Mesa VPO-2 on January 18, 2024. EPC took additional public comment, added conditions, and voted on recommendations to City Council.
Meeting Materials
- Meeting materials are posted on the EPC webpage.
- EPC voted to recommend DENIAL to the City Council. [PR-2018-001843 / RZ-2023-00050]
- Video
- The entire hearing can be viewed in the videos below. The specific case start time is 2:01:48 in Video - Part 1 and the case end time is 00:26:47 in Video - Part 2.
Planning staff revised the proposed tribal engagement memo to transmit to City Council based on EPC conditions affecting the citywide tribal engagement memo and a condition to limit referrals to tribal representatives within the NW Mesa Escarpment VPO-2 (not within 660 feet of VPO-2).
Hearing #2: Citywide, Rail Trail, & Volcano Heights Urban Center
EPC held a second hearing on January 11, 2024. EPC took additional public comment, added conditions, and voted on recommendations to City Council.
Meeting Materials
The Redline Draft of the IDO incorporates EPC's recommended conditions of approval for City Council to review and decide.
Hearing #1: Citywide, Rail Trail, & Volcano Heights Urban Center
EPC heard proposed changes on December 14, 2023 via Zoom. Staff gave a presentation, and EPC took public comment.
Meeting Materials
EPC Study Session
EPC held a study session on December 7, 2023 to learn about the proposed changes in the IDO Annual Update for 2023.
Council Amendments
Councilors reviewed and voted on amendments to the EPC Redline Draft. See details about the review/decision process above.
- B1 - Lighting next to Alleys - Approved
- B2 - Duplexes within 1/4 mile of UC-MS-PT areas - Failed
- B3 - Energy Storage Systems - Approved
- B4 - Pre-submittal Neighborhood Meetings --> Post-submittal Facilitated Meetings - Approved
- B5 - Tribal Meeting Facilitation - Approved
- B6 - Front Yard Walls/Fences - Failed
- B7 - Overnight Shelters - Failed
LUPZ Amendments
Councilors on LUPZ voted on amendments to the EPC Redline Draft in April and May. See details about the review/decision process above.
EPC Redline Draft
The Redline Draft of the IDO Annual Update 2023 incorporates recommended conditions from EPC's review. City Council will review the recommended changes and make a final decision on proposed amendments.
- Citywide text amendments would affect properties throughout Albuquerque (i.e. a legislative decision).
- Note: All changes are noted with colored text and a footnote.
- To find them easily, do a search (Control + F for Windows or Command + F for Macs) for "EPC Review" or "Condition #"
- Proposed changes that EPC did not recommend are noted in the footnote with the phrase "EPC considered but did not recommend approval"
- Small area text amendments would only affect properties in specific areas within Albuquerque (i.e. a quasi-judicial decision).
- Note: EPC did not recommend adopting proposed changes for the following, so they are only noted in the Redline as a footnote. For the original proposal, see Proposed Small Area Changes.
- Drive-throughs in Volcano Heights
- Tribal referrals in the Northwest Mesa Escarpment View Protection Overlay Zone (VPO-2)
- Note: EPC did not recommend adopting proposed changes for the following, so they are only noted in the Redline as a footnote. For the original proposal, see Proposed Small Area Changes.
EPC Submittal
Planning staff submitted proposed amendments to the IDO from staff, Councilors, and the public to the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) for the 2023 IDO Annual Update on October 26, 2023.
Excel Spreadsheet of Amendments
This spreadsheet includes all amendments proposed as part of the 2023 Annual Update as of 6/10/2024.
Please note that the EPC Redline, LUPZ amendments, and Council amendments are the definitive versions of changes.
Tips
- Column F indicates the source of the amendment in terms of which review stage it was introduced (i.e., EPC, LUPZ, or Council).
- Column G indicates the original item # from the EPC submittal spreadsheet.
- Column H notes the Condition # in EPC's Notice of Decision.
- Redline page numbers are noted for the changes accepted by EPC.
- Changes submitted to the EPC but not approved have the existing IDO page numbers noted. \
- You can check EPC conditions by filtering by Column H against the Notice of Decision and the confirming in the Redline.
- Column I indicates the LUPZ amendment number. Outcomes (i.e. passed / failed / withdrawn) are noted in the change/discussion column.
- Column J indicates the Council amendment number.
- Column K indicates the status of the amendment as of 6/10/2024.
Outdoor and Site Lighting
The City hired a consultant, Clanton Associates, to update lighting regulations in the IDO for the 2023 Annual Update.
Clanton & Associates, an award-winning lighting design and engineering firm, is an expert in regulating outdoor lighting and illuminated signs to comply with Dark Skies Ordinances. Clanton evaluated existing regulations in the IDO and prepared proposed amendments.
Adopted Amendments
Adopted lighting amendments include changes to multiple sections in the IDO. Section 14-16-5-8 is replaced in its entirety with updated regulations.
Kickoff Meetings
Planning staff hosted a kickoff meeting for the public on March 30, 2023.
Existing Regulations
- Section 14-16-5-8 Outdoor and Site Lighting
- Section 14-16-4-3 Use-specific Standards
- Section 14-16-5-12 Signs
Small Area amendments are reviewed/decided as a quasi-judicial matter, meaning City Councilors act as judges rather than as legislators.
Contact
Matthew Cox | Council Planning
Albuquerque City Council Services
(505) 768-3186
Rail Trail Design Regulations [new]
City Council adopted a Small Area Text Amendment to add design standards for development on properties adjacent to the planned Albuquerque Rail Trail, as proposed by the City of Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency.
EPC recommended approval, so this proposed change appears in the EPC Redline and will be reviewed by City Council as O-24-17.
LUPZ Amendments (See O-24-17)
Neighborhood Meeting
Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency staff held a pre-subittal Neighborhood Meeting via Zoom to explain the proposed changes and answer questions on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023.
Volcano Heights Urban Center
The City adopted a Small Area Text Amendment on October 26, 2023 to allow drive-throughs in the Volcano Heights Urban Center, as proposed by Councilor Lewis.
EPC recommended denial, so this proposed change does not appear in the EPC Redline.
This change was adopted by City Council as O-24-11.
The proposed change deletes Subsection 14-16-4-3(F)(5)(f)10:
- "
This use is prohibited in the Mixed-use zone districts in this Center as mapped in the ABC Comp Plan, as amended."
Neighborhood Meeting
Council staff held a Pre-submittal Neighborhood Meeting on October 17, 2023.
Northwest Mesa Escarpment VPO-2
City Council adopted a Small Area Text Amendment in December 2023 to require the City to refer applications for tribal comment within 660 feet of the Northwest Mesa Escarpment View Protection Overlay (VPO-2) zone, as proposed by Councilor Fiebelkorn. This change affects IDO Subsection 14-16-6-4(J).
EPC recommended denial, so this proposed change does not appear in the EPC Redline.
This change was adopted by City Council as O-24-12.
Additional information regarding public notice about this proposal:
The public notice sent about this proposed change to the City’s zoning code – the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) – will affect future development on your property. The purpose of this proposed change is to involve tribal governments and their representatives in the City development review and approval process. This change proposes tribal engagement for development projects within the Northwest Mesa View Protection Overlay Zone (VPO-2) as follows:
- Creates new definitions in the IDO for Tribal Land, Tribal Representative, and Indian Nation, Tribe, or Pueblo.
- Requires the Planning Department to send applications for development within the VPO-2 boundary and within 660 feet of the boundary to tribal governments and their representatives within the State of New Mexico for comment within 15 days.
- Requires an applicant to send notice of an application for an Archaeological Certificate (generally required for projects that are 5+ acres) and a treatment plan, if required, to tribal governments and their representatives.
This proposed change will be heard by the Environmental Planning Commission on January 18, 2024. If you would like to send written comments or attend the hearing, please see hearing details below.
Council Staff held a virtual pre-submittal Neighborhood Meeting at the end of November 2023.
Pre-EPC Submittal Public Review Meetings
Council staff held a pre-EPC submittal Neighborhood Meeting on November 28, 2023 to discuss a proposed change to properties in and near the Northwest Mesa VPO-2 requiring the City to refer proposed development applications to tribal leaders for comments.
See Small Area Text Ammendments for content details.
Planning staff held 2 meetings on October 12-13, 2023 to discuss proposed citywide changes before submitting to the EPC in late October.
Meeting Materials
Pre-EPC Hearing Public Review Meetings
Planning staff hosted a review meeting on November 17, 2023 to discuss proposed changes submitted to the EPC before the first EPC Hearing in December 2023.
Trainings
Planning staff held 2 trainings on August 15, 2024 about the Integrated Development Ordinance highlighting changes from the 2023 annual update.