More casitas and food trucks could be coming to BernCo

Bernalillo County residents may soon be able to build casitas on their property and see food trucks in new areas.

County  Commissioners Tuesday will consider those items as well as a deal that could spur improvements to a Near North Valley apartment complex.

One proposed item includes amendments to the county’s comprehensive zoning ordinance that would allow casitas on lots of a certain size that also  meet certain other criteria.

Owners of properties that don’t meet size or other criteria would be able to apply for conditional use permits.  

County staff say the new rules would make the permitting process move more quickly.

Also on the agenda is a proposed update to the zoning ordinance that would allow food trucks to operate in areas zoned for commercial and light industrial uses.

The agenda says the commercial and light industrial zones were inadvertently left out of a recent zoning code amendment. The change would allow multiple mobile food operations on a lot and would require a site plan to verify that access and parking are sufficient. The number of units would be limited by the capacity of the site.

The proposed regulations also require on-site restrooms and sanitation so the businesses are not burdensome to surrounding properties.

Staff say the amendment may provide food options for people working in more industrial areas and may provide additional economic opportunities for food truck operators.

Commissioners will also consider issuing $33.5 million in project revenue bonds, to go toward the planned acquisition and rehabilitation of St. Anthony’s Plaza, a 160-unit complex at 1750  Indian School Road NW. If the bonds are approved, the county will hold the deed to the property, but won’t be giving the developer, St. Anthony’s Plaza Community Partners LP, any cash.

The county will be listed as the owner strictly for tax purposes, according to the agenda, and lease it back to the developer, who maintains full responsibility for the property and for any and all activities that occur on the project site.

Staff say the project will benefit the community by increasing the supply of affordable housing.

Current market conditions, including supply chain challenges and the costs of construction and labor, mean affordable housing projects will need some type of financial incentives to keep rent below market rates, according to the agenda. Such projects typically include federal, state and local government incentives to reduce the development costs.

St. Anthony’s Plaza is applying for low income housing tax credits and renewed federal Section 8 status.

The board will also elect a chair and vice-chair for 2025.