Overnight shelters, wall heights, boats in the front yard: See what zoning changes could be coming

City councilors plan to discuss several zoning amendments at their Monday meeting that could impact neighborhoods or businesses across Albuquerque. The 11 proposals to the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) touch on overnight shelters, duplexes, fence height and landscaping requirements. 

Amendments already expected to be debated propose the following: 

• To allow small and medium-sized overnight shelters in certain zone districts and to prohibit large overnight shelters citywide. Currently, overnight shelters are allowed in some zones but are subject to a conditional approval by the Zoning Hearing Examiner (ZHE). The proposed amendment states that small shelters —  those with 10 or fewer beds — will be allowed in industrial, commercial and high density residential areas. While shelters up to 49 beds may require a zone hearing. 

• To continue to allow boats and recreational vehicles to be parked in front, side and rear yards. A proposal from the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) would make it illegal to park your big outdoor toys on the front lawn where others can see.

• To increase the allowable height of some front yard walls or fences to 5 feet instead of 3 feet. Opponents argue that shorter walls are important, ensuring “eyes on the street” to watch out for suspicious activity in your neighbors’ yard. 

• To allow duplexes in residential zone districts with single-family housing in or near urban centers, main street and premium transit areas. The proposed amendment states that if the property is an existing structure the duplex is allowed and if the property is vacant the duplex is allowed but subject to a conditional approval by the ZHE.

• To require energy storage systems to be hidden behind walls and landscaping. The proposed amendment states that the rules will apply to the Public Service Company of New Mexico and privately developed facilities. 

• To change rules requiring meetings between neighborhoods and developers after a site plan application to build a large apartment complex or non-residential development is filed. This was recommended by the city’s Alternative Dispute Resolution office. 

• To remove a small 16 inch buffer between areas of change where higher density development is encouraged, and nearby areas of consistency, usually residential areas, where it is discouraged.

• To revise the maximum size of a lot where “cottages” — clusters of small homes sharing a driveway and utilities — can be built to 3 acres, limit the number of cottage developments that can be next to each other and require a 330-foot separation between cottage developments. Currently, the IDO has the maximum size of a cottage development at 2 acres, but the EPC recommends increasing it to 5 acres. 

• To increase opportunities for already developed properties to provide landscaping. According to the amendment, the city experiences the “urban heat island effect” and more landscaping in developed areas will reduce that effect and improve the city visually. 

• To exempt corner lot buildings near the Rail Trail from some building height restrictions and reduce the percentage of required outdoor seating and gathering areas. The proposal seeks to provide more flexibility on how a site may be designed in proximity to the Rail Trail.

• To allow the Animal Welfare Department to comment on development applications that involve keeping animals.

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