Coming soon: Hearings neighborhoods need to follow
In this month's edition of my constituent newsletter, I want to highlight two upcoming hearings impacting how your neighborhood decides what development and commercial uses best fit with your character.
What to do about nuisance commercial establishments in your neighborhood?Monday, 5pm, City Council Finance & Government Operations Committee (FGO), 9th Floor, 1 Civic Plaza
Recently I introduced legislation to declare the 7-11 convenience stores at Solano & Central NE and Kathryn & San Mateo SE nuisance properties.
Combined, these two properties have accumulated nearly one thousand calls to APD and AFR in just 16 months. While these stores will try to blame the area, not all stores in this area or others have this many incidents. These stores need to be a good neighbor and protect their employees by making changes that make these stores safer and less inviting for crime.
If declared a nuisance the property owners will be required to enter into a nuisance abatement plan to deal with the issues or face legal action. While the property owners initially were responsive and met with the City, recently it appears they have stopped responding to our requests.
The two resolutions (R-19-192 & R-19-193) will be heard at the City Council Finance and Government Operations Meeting this Monday at 5:00 PM on the 9th floor of 1 Civic Plaza in the City Council Committee Room. Public comment is welcome.
Expanding neighborhood input in development and liquor sales. Environmental Planning Commission (multiple hearings)
The Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) gave neighborhood associations more power to request hearings and object to variance requests -- but implementing those processes has not been standardized or easy for NAs to follow.
So I co-sponsored legislation standardizing that process and making plans more accessible online.
An additional amendment I sponsored changes the way new package (takeout) liquor sales are permitted in mixed-use neighborhoods. Today, package sales are a permissive use (meaning they are automatically granted if a convenience store or corner store qualifies for a license).
My amendment would make any new package liquor sales conditional; meaning neighborhood associations would receive notice and have the right to a public hearing.
It's no surprise that the liquor and convenience store lobbyists are not happy. I need your help establishing your right to decide whether new liquor sales are a good match for your neighborhood's use.
The Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) recently held another hearing on both proposals, alongside dozens of others. The commission voted to continue the hearing for 60 days.
The EPC will conduct a fourth hearing on Thursday, December 12th at in the basement of Plaza del Sol (600 2nd St). The hearing starts at 8:30 a.m., but there may be items on the agenda before the IDO Annual Update.
If you would like to voice your support or objection to any of the proposed amendments to the IDO, including my amendment to make package liquor sales conditional in the MX-M zone districts, you can send your comments to abctoz@cabq.gov or attend the hearing on December 12th. Written comments must be received 48 hours prior to the hearing to be considered.
If your neighborhood association would like to schedule a presentation on proposed IDO updates, please contact my office.
In the meantime, I encourage you to come to our committee hearing on Monday to share your stories about these problem properties and show your support for the Nob Hill, Highland, South San Pedro and Parkland Hills neighborhoods fighting these nuisance establishments.
 NEED HELP FROM CITY HALL?
CONTACT ME
505-768-3152 patdavis@cabq.gov |
