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Trustees publish new 'core commercial' zoning text and map amendment with carve-out for several Chavis-area lots
Summary
The board voted Dec. 1 to publish Ordinances 306 (zoning text establishing a 'core commercial'—CC—district) and 307 (zone map amendment). Public commenters asked that several residential Chavis‑area parcels be excluded; trustees adopted an amendment to remove specified lots from the advertised map and directed staff to prepare comparison materials and draft amendments for Dec. 16.
Trustees of the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque on Dec. 1 voted to publish two linked ordinances: Ordinance 306, which establishes a new 'core commercial' (CC) zoning district with rules for uses, height, parking and other development standards, and Ordinance 307, a companion zone‑map amendment that would reclassify parcels shown on the map from the existing Village Center (VC) designation to CC.
Planner staff explained that CC is intended to be applied along the Fourth Street corridor and will set rules for permitted uses, building height, parking, setbacks and design standards to accompany parcels that the map (displayed at the meeting) identifies for the change. Staff said the CC text is the regulatory companion to the map amendment and that both items are being advertised for public hearing and potential adoption on Dec. 16.
Several residents who own parcels along Chavis Road told trustees the proposed map includes residential lots they want to remain under more residential‑oriented rules. Vincent Sanchez asked for clearer definitions (including the "built‑to line" and setback language) and said some items appear intended for internal planning rather than external plats. Ron Chavez and other Chavis‑area residents urged the board to exclude specific lots from the map, saying the map did not reflect recent subdivisions and that their properties should not be subject to CC rules.
Trustee Benvdas moved an amendment to redraw the advertised map exclusion line (the "yellow line" shown on the map) to remove a set of identified Chavis‑area parcels so those lots would remain VC rather than be rezoned to CC; the amendment was seconded and passed and will be incorporated into the advertised map for the Dec. 16 hearing. Staff requested precise parcel identifiers to ensure the corrected map is posted for public inspection.
Trustees asked staff to prepare a side‑by‑side comparison of CC, VC and C1 regulations for the Dec. 16 packet and to draft the specific amendment language trustees and members of the public requested (for example, possible C1 reclassification or later owner-initiated rezones). Trustees also raised possible changes on uses (fireworks stores), drive‑through allowances, residential density caps, parking rules, daylighting/covered patios, shading requirements and building materials; staff agreed to prepare proposed language and options for the next hearing.
Both Ordinance 306 (text) and Ordinance 307 (map amendment as amended) were approved for publication by voice vote; both return Dec. 16 for public hearing and possible adoption.
