I applaud those who recognize that it's a complex issue, but it's not an all-or-nothing choice. While Albuquerque *does* need to look to increased residential density, "build it and they will come" is not a credible planning strategy anywhere. Any occupied residential development on Central will increase residential density - that's a potential benefit. Any empty residential property on Central will just add to the empty commercial property - that's a risk. Two-story developments will double both potential benefit and risk. Why quintuple risk?


On 07/30/2017 03:37 PM, Anthony Hunt via Neighbors_nobhill-nm wrote:

Philip Dale has a very sane analysis of the building heights which acknowledges the need to increase the living space in Nob Hill. In general I find myself in agreement with his reasoning, though I believe both #2 and #3 are out of character, with #3 verging on the absurd for this neighborhood to call itself a "neighborhood".


Tony Hunt

Hermosa NE



On Jul 29, 2017, at 10:56 AM, Philip Dale via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:

I too am very grateful to Tandi for laying out the proposed changes so clearly, and making it easier for more of us to chime in.  I’m probably in the (tiny) minority here, but I am a bit more sympathetic to the changes, though not to their scale.

I think it is in the interest of both Albuquerque in general (avoiding sprawl, improving work-home transportation connections) and Nob Hill in particular (in such a heavily retail-based neighborhood, we need more people *living* here, not just coming here for the bars and restaurants) to have somewhat increased population density. And it makes sense to concentrate it around the major transportation corridor. But this is just too big a change, and ‘freezes’ a distinction between East Nob Hill and the rest of Nob Hill which is undesirable.

So I favor #1, and a reduced version of #2 (whatever the numbers would be to make the limit four stories), while opposing both aspects of #3.

Philip Dale

 

 

From: Neighbors_nobhill-nm [mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm-bounces@mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Tandi Hufnagel via Neighbors_nobhill-nm
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2017 1:05 PM
To: neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com
Subject: [Neighbors] Need your voice regarding building heights - please reply with input

 

Hi neighbors,

 

I'm sure you've all seen the updates from Gary and others about the proposed changes in building heights in Nob Hill.  

 

I wanted to summarize them because sometimes all the language in the codes can be hard to understand.  

 

Here are three major changes that could dramatically change the streetscape in Nob Hill:

 

1.  The first change is to raise the existing building height limit from 39' to 45'.  That would include all blocks along Central in Nob Hill from Girard to Aliso.

 

 

2.  The second change is to add an additional 20' to the height limit in the areas near ART stations.  In Nob Hill that includes the stations at Bryn Mawr and Solano.  This would raise the height limit from the proposed 45' up to a 65' (a five story building).  The increased height zone would include a block in either direction (East-West) from the station.  So this would apply along Central from Aliso to Hermosa, and Richmond to Wellesley.  

 

*Pat Davis, maybe you can comment - has the additional height has already been nixed for the Bryn Mawr station?  In any case it is still being proposed for the Solano station zone.

 

 

3.  The third change is to allow the additional 20' height within 660' of the Washington station.  This would cover Morningside to Monroe.  So the majority of East Nob Hill could be built up to five stories.  Also, the proposal includes another 12' for any "Workforce" projects for a grand total of 77' allowable building height!  That's at least a six story building.  

 

 

Here's what is needed:  Please reply to this email with your feedback on these proposals before this coming Wednesday.  

 

Also, please tell our councilman Pat Davis what you think!  His email is:  patdavis@cabq.gov.  I think he reads these neighborhood emails too.  

 

As our representative it's up to Pat to help make the final decisions for our neighborhood, and without your input he won't know what the neighborhood prefers. 

 

This is easy, you don't need to go to any meetings, just reply to this email and/or email Pat.  If you do feel strongly and wish to go to the meeting to add your voice, it will be August 16th in the evening.  Please contact Gary Eyster for more info at:  meyster1@comcast.net.

 

Thanks!  

 

As I have written before, I think these building heights are completely out of character for Nob Hill.  They do not fit the historic architecture or human-scale texture of the neighborhood, and they are unnecessary.  The only people who benefit are developers.  Three stories is a good limit for any commercial development along Central.  I do support increased density to help small local businesses survive, however it has to be done with respect for the existing neighborhood.  Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

Tandi Hufnagel, Aliso NE

_______________________________________________
Neighbors_nobhill-nm mailing list
Neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com
https://mailman.swcp.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/neighbors_nobhill-nm


_______________________________________________
Neighbors_nobhill-nm mailing list
Neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com
https://mailman.swcp.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/neighbors_nobhill-nm