Las Cruces outlines phased plan, new tools to address vacant and nuisance properties

Chris Faber, community development director for the City of Las Cruces, told the City Council at its Sept. 22 work session that the city has 165 properties on its Nuisance Abatement Team (NAT) list and is moving toward a more proactive, two‑phase approach that would begin with an ordinance for certain commercial properties and residences owned by LLCs.

The update matters because vacant and blighted properties can create safety and public‑health risks, depress nearby property values and complicate neighborhood redevelopment. Faber said the city is using the International Property Maintenance Code to address unoccupied or unsafe structures while preparing tools intended to make enforcement and owner outreach more efficient.

Faber described NAT’s priority system and current activity, and demonstrated a new interactive GIS map staff can update in real time. “We have about a 165 properties that are on the NAT list,” he said. He told the council staff have identified roughly 60 previously unknown owners, condemned eight properties, and are processing several demolition permit applications and two existing liens.

Under the city’s three‑tier priority system, level 1 properties are occupied and working toward compliance; level 2…