Thursday, August 2, 2007

August 2, 2007 Newsletter


June-July 2007

(Publication date: August 2, 2007)

Code Enforcement is the central subject of an August 4, 2007, public Town Hall at the Albuquerque Convention Center (Pecos-Ruidoso Room). There have been persisting complaints from neighborhood and homeowner associations about weeds, illegal signs, litter, inoperable vehicles, and other violations of Code that have not elicited prompt response by Code Enforcement, Albuquerque Police Department, or other responsible agencies. The City wants to identify issues, work toward mutually agreed solutions, and refine the cumbersome policies and procedures involved.

Revitalization of East Central is actively in the works. Unfortunately, the City Council ignored our recommendation that the Sector Development Plan should precede the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) designation of the East Central corridor as “blighted.” The Council approved legislation on June 18, and it was signed into law on July 6, 2007. The Albuquerque Development Council conducted a public hearing in mid-July; however, they found that notification of property owners in and near the proposed MRA was inadequate. Only one person appeared before the commission to testify against proceeding with the MRA. Therefore, the City Council will again address the legislation on August 6, and the Albuquerque Development Commission will hold another public hearing on the MRA on August 8. Note that the MRA boundaries continue to shift even though the City approved the map attached to the legislation.

The Planning Department appears to have heard our advice, and Paula Donahue, Project Manager for the East Gateway Sector Development Plan, has proceeded with initial planning. She has suggested that the Plan examine strengths and future needs of the area south of I-40, east of Wyoming Blvd, and west of Tramway Blvd, a much larger area than proposed for the MRA. She presented an overview of the Sector Plan process at the Coalition meeting on July 26, 2007. A Focus Group meeting and the first public workshop are scheduled for August 7 and August 8.

Recap of Meetings:

  • August 4 8:30 am-12 pm Albuquerque Convention Center Code Enforcement Town Hall Free parking in City lot between 3rd and 4th Streets NW north of Civic Plaza
  • August 7 7:00-8:30 pm Sector Development Plan Focus Group (Invitees only) Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
  • August 8 3:00 pm Planning Department, 8th floor conference room Albuquerque Development Commission MRA Public Hearing
  • 600 Second Street NW, parking north of the building
  • August 8 6:30-8:30 pm Sector Development Plan Public Workshop Singing Arrow Community Center, 13100 Singing Arrow SE

Coalition Meeting July 26 included:

  • Presentation by Jay Hart, Director of Parks and Recreation Department, who summarized policies for acquisition of Open Space property. He also reminded participants of the goal of acquiring land parcels for open space and wildlife corridors from Carnuel down the Tijeras Arroyo to Kirtland AFB and beyond.
  • Presentation by APD Lieutenant Les Brown and Sharon Fisher about Neighborhood Watch and National Night Out (August 7).
  • Presentation by Paula Donahue, Planning Department, outlining the Sector Development Plan policies and processes.
  • Motion to create a Sector Development Plan committee was passed. Members and Chair to be appointed later.

Fiscal Advisory Committee will identify appropriate projects that might be funded by City, County, or State over the next 2-3 months. Several projects have already been suggested, and more will result from the Sector Plan process. We need to establish reasonably-priced priority projects that will enhance the appearance, livability, and economic health of our community.

Next Coalition meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 25, 2007, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.

Roger Mickelson 323-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com

at 5:40 PM

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)