GAAR Family,
I wanted to provide a quick update on the Albuquerque City Council Meeting on Monday, June 5th. During the meeting, City Councilors faced some unexpected pushback in their efforts to pass Mayor Tim Keller's Housing Forward Initiative. 

Sweeping changes in the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) would mean several elements could bring about higher density and streamlined processes to increase housing availability.  The HOT BUTTON that caused the Council to hit pause and delay voting on the bill was uncertainty about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and Casitas on R-1 zoned parcels. 

Many Neighborhood Associations and individual homeowners want clarification on how this will truly affect their communities. What will it mean for parking, infrastructure, etc., and how it will affect property values for those who don’t build Casitas?  Other proposed changes would include raising building height limits for multifamily and mixed-use buildings and reducing parking requirements for multifamily housing.

The council ultimately decided to delay voting on the bill, as well as its several proposed amendments. Stay tuned for more discussion and voting at the City Council Meeting on Wednesday, June 21st.

Best,

Kent Cravens, RCE, CMLX2
GAAR CEO