A series of housing initiatives are on the agenda for Albuquerque city councilors at their meeting Sept. 4.
During the last City Council meeting, councilors discussed four bills sponsored by Nichole Rogers which proposed $2.4 million in tax incentives from the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency for four housing projects.
One of the four projects would transform the vacant 10-story office building on San Mateo Boulevard just north of Central Avenue into a complex with 101 apartments called Park Central. The four projects combined would create 300 housing units.
Read more about the projects here.
While Rogers urged councilors to support the bills at the last meeting, they pushed the vote on the incentives to Wednesday.
“I had asked for immediate action because of the sense of urgency on housing and my colleagues just didn’t agree with why I needed to do this quickly,” Rogers said. “I feel like my colleagues have had enough time to read through and I am expecting all of those to pass.”
Restrictions on short-term rentals
Councilors are also expected to vote on a bill sponsored by Rogers and Councilor Joaquín Baca proposing restrictions on short-term rentals due to a housing shortage. The proposal would restrict short-term rental permits for properties within 330 feet of an existing one.
Read more about the proposal here.
Food truck permit fees
Another item on the agenda that may spark a debate amongst councilors is a resolution to temporarily suspend increasing annual permit fees for food trucks from around $150 to $900.
Food truck owners who attended the last meeting told councilors and city officials that the fee increase may cause small businesses to shut down. Councilor Klarissa Peña is now proposing a moratorium on the fee increase — which will temporarily suspend the legislation for further consideration.
Nonprofit journalism like this depends on readers like you. This story is supported by City Desk ABQ, a nonprofit newsroom project of Citizen Media Group supporting news and politics coverage that inspires readers to participate in local democracy. Become a supporter to keep City Desk free and support nonprofit, independent journalists covering politics and policy f0r New Mexico newsrooms.