April 15, 2007 Newsletter

March-April 2007

Revitalization of East Central is a common and commendable goal for City Councilor Don Harris, other Albuquerque government representatives, businesses, investors, and nearby community neighbors. Unfortunately, there are confusing aspects in the process and the legislation involving (a) a moratorium on construction, (b) interim building design standards, (c) an initial Metropolitan Redevelopment Area definition, and (d) Sector Development Planning. Councilor Harris and Policy Analyst Lorena Patten-Quintana have been concentrating on the proposed legislation (R-06-172), which expands on previously-passed Bills. Cynthia Borrego-Archuleta and Gabe Rivera are working the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area facet, and planner Paula Donahue has begun the Sector Planning aspect.

The MRA public meeting on April 10, attended by approximately 40 business owners and residents, included an explanation of other MRA projects and a very short discussion of community concerns. Objections concerning designation of a “blighted” area, property values, interim building design standards, and extent of the proposed area that were raised at the that meeting were not answered well. There obviously need to be several more meetings to explain the East Central MRA planning process and how it fits into the overall Sector planning effort.

The Coalition MRA committee has met internally and with City representatives to address implications of MRA designation of “blighted” areas and alternative approaches to revitalization. Recommendations are being developed for consideration by the Coalition on April 26; preliminary conclusions are anticipated. The proposed legislation was deferred on April 4 and may be heard at the April 16 City Council meeting.

Pending Legislation Concerning Associations. The City Council has heard testimony and considered written comments concerning the creation of a neighborhood/homeowner association task force. The basic legislation will be heard at the April 16 City Council meeting (unless it is deferred again).

Proposed Annexation by Juan Tabo West, LLC, of 200 acres east of the Sandia Science and Technology Park as an extension to Juan Tabo Hills/Volterra was withdrawn in January due largely to concerns that Coalition members voiced on January 26, 2007. We have participated in several meetings with County Commissioners Deanna Archuleta and Michael Brasher, Bernalillo County zoning and planning officials, and the developer and agent to negotiate set-aside of approximately three acres for a park, assurance of limiting access, prevention of roadways in or across the arroyo, and related matters.

The developer has been exceptionally cooperative and addressed all of our concerns. County Commissioners and officials are satisfied with the outcome as well. As a result, the developer will apply to Bernalillo County and Albuquerque for annexation of an 85-acre tract south and east of the Tijeras Arroyo for residential development consistent with projects underway in adjacent Volterra. The developer may, at some future date, apply for annexation of the 70-acre tract in the Tijeras Arroyo and the 45-acre tract adjacent to the Sandia Science and Technology Park.

Wireless Telecommunications Facilities. A continuing project has involved a task force of cell phone company, wireless tower industry, and neighborhood representatives to produce balanced legislation requiring concealed (the industry calls them “stealth”) antennas in the future. Meetings were held on March 22, the morning of March 28, the afternoon of March 28, March 29, and April 2, seeking to accommodate neighbors’ concerns about notification, negative visual implications, acceptable designs, and public involvement in the application process.

Cell phone and tower companies are amenable to pre-application meetings with recognized neighborhood associations to discuss cell phone coverage requirements, alternative tower placement and designs, and related matters PRIOR to committing extensive design efforts. They recognize that it is in their best interests to (a) provide adequate coverage, both in volume and area served, and (b) to address neighborhood desires well in advance of applying for permits.

We expect that this legislation will be sent back to the Environmental Planning Commission for review in May. Meanwhile, legislation proposing a temporary moratorium of new towers is proceeding through the Council process.

Roger Mickelson 323-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com