Martinez Town residents protest MRA boundary change; city says notice provided and approves consent agenda

Several Martinez Town neighborhood leaders spoke during the consent agenda segment of the April 21 City Council meeting to oppose a council action that would include two properties — 101 Lomas and 220 Broadway NE — within the downtown Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) boundaries.

Loretta Naranjo Lopez, president of the Santa Barbara Martinez Town Neighborhood Association, said the neighborhood had not been properly heard at prior hearings, described the properties as not meeting MRA blight criteria, and asked the council to return the case to the Albuquerque Development Commission for review and to reinstate the neighborhood’s MRA protections. Several other Martinez Town residents later echoed concerns about notice and about economic impacts to their neighborhood.

Council staff and the city attorney responded that they had reviewed the matter and that the Albuquerque Development Commission and subsequent notices were in the record. City lawyer Mr. Morrow told the council that addressing the bill at the council meeting did not violate the Open Meetings Act because it had been properly noticed on the council agenda.

Despite the neighborhood concerns, the council approved the consent agenda unanimously, including the item in question; staff said the minutes of ADC and prior meetings were available and the legal notice requirements had been met. Councilors asked staff to ensure the neighborhood’s written comments and letters were included in the public record and directed follow‑up for clarity on notice and process.

Residents said they would continue to press the city for more time, clarification and for reinstitution of neighborhood‑level MRA protections where appropriate.