Council approves multiple Unified Development Code updates, including landscape and affordable-housing provisions
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Summary
On Nov. 5 the council approved Ordinance 22-2025 (landscape and open-space rewrite) and Ordinance 23-2025 (11 UDC changes) on second reading, adding stormwater and water-conservation standards, prohibiting nonfunctional turf per state statute, and expediting affordable-housing development review.
Alamosa City Council unanimously approved two packages of land-use changes Nov. 5 that alter landscaping, stormwater, signage and affordable-housing development review in the Unified Development Code (UDC).
Deacon, development-staff presenter, described Ordinance 22-2025 as a repeal-and-replace of Division 5-3 (landscaping and open space) to provide clearer, locally-applicable standards and incorporate stormwater and water-wise measures. He said the first phase addresses restrictions on nonfunctional turf and artificial turf to comply with state law.
Ordinance 23-2025 contains about 11 adjustments: an off-ramp for public-entity new construction required by state law; allowing child care in the agricultural zone to facilitate relocation onto city-owned land; clarifications for small solar and small wind devices (under 8 feet); a prohibition on advertising electronic smoking devices consistent with state law; sign-definition cleanups; zone-of-benefit recovery clarifications; subdivision plat standards reintroduced after prior repeal; codifying expedited affordable-housing review (described as a policy commitment and administrative resource of roughly $50,000 to the program); new definitions and updated parking standards for new land-use categories.
Both public hearings drew no public testimony from in-person or Zoom participants. Councilor Jan Vigil moved to approve both ordinances on second reading; each motion passed unanimously.
Staff said these changes are intended to reduce ambiguity for developers, address state-level water conservation requirements, and remove barriers to affordable housing and sensible infill development. The city will publish the ordinances and related amendments to the UDC and make implementation guidance available to applicants.