By Connor Currier
The Albuquerque City Council voted April 17 to streamline the permitting and approval process for projects aimed at creating more permanent housing Downtown and in other targeted areas.
“This resolution will help speed up new housing development in the Downtown Center by getting those permit applications through site plan review and construction permitting as expeditiously as possible,” said Alan Varela, director of Albuqurque’s Planning Department.
The move aligns with Housing Forward ABQ, a City initiative to respond to the housing crisis by adding at least 5,000 more housing units by 2025.
City Councilor Joaquín Baca, represents the city-center district, sponsored the proposal. It passed unanimously.
According to the resolution, the move will implement a two-year policy with the city planning department and prioritize applications for permanent housing or related land uses and applications in the Downtown Center. It also establishes a new reporting requirement for the number of applications processed that way.
“We’re going to do everything we can to help increase housing supply,” Varela said.
