Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, alongside Councilor Brook Bassan, signed O-24-1 into law today, aiming to enhance the safety and quality of life in neighborhoods by streamlining the process for demolishing unsafe structures. The ordinance focuses on removing unsafe commercial buildings, accessory structures, and dwellings unfit for human habitation.
According to Mayor Keller, dilapidated buildings pose significant risks to communities, attracting criminal activities, causing issues for neighbors, and draining city resources. Keller emphasized the city's commitment to addressing problematic properties and improving neighborhoods. He stated, "We will continue to address problem properties in our city, and this ordinance gives us a better process to clean up our neighborhoods."
During the event, a specific property, 3711 Lombardy Rd NW, was highlighted as a long-standing nuisance that had burdened the city with liens and numerous service calls over the past three years. Despite warnings and notices issued to the property owners to rectify the situation, the property was scheduled for demolition. However, the property owners obtained a demolition permit on the previous day, signifying their acceptance of responsibility for the demolition.
Alan Varela, the Director of the Planning Department, explained the city's approach to dealing with such properties, stating, "We give people every chance we can to fix their property, but when the nuisance is causing so much harm for the neighbors then we have to step in and perform the unpleasant task of clearing the property." Varela reiterated the city's priority of ensuring safety and well-being within the community.
The new ordinance, O-24-1, shifts the decision-making process for demolishing unsafe properties to an independent Hearing Officer, streamlining the procedure and enabling quicker resolutions. The Hearing Officer's decision can be appealed to the City Council, providing a structured approach to addressing safety concerns in neighborhoods.
Through initiatives like O-24-1 and proactive measures to identify and address problematic properties, the City of Albuquerque is taking significant steps towards creating safer and more secure neighborhoods for its residents.
