Strong Towns ABQ Supports O-25-167

Strong Towns ABQ supports R-25-167

Dear Chair Fiebelkorn and Members of the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee:

On behalf of Strong Towns ABQ, we are writing in strong support of R-25-167, the resolution establishing an opt-in process for legislative zoning conversions.

This proposal represents a significant step forward for housing access, sustainability, and livability in Albuquerque. By allowing property owners to voluntarily opt in to a modest increase in zoning capacity, whether by adding multi-family housing, mixed-use development, or small-scale density, this legislation offers a bottom-up, incremental path to addressing our city’s severe housing shortage.

R-25-167 aligns squarely with the Strong Towns philosophy. Rather than top-down mandates or sweeping, disruptive changes, it provides an opt-in process that empowers property owners to contribute to meeting our city’s housing needs while respecting neighborhood context. Allowing lots to move up one "step" in development intensity mirrors the organic way cities have historically grown: block by block, lot by lot, in ways that build strength and resilience over time.

This approach will also make Albuquerque more fiscally sustainable and livable. Incremental density strengthens our tax base by making better use of existing infrastructure. It supports transit and local businesses by adding customers within walking distance. It broadens housing choices for seniors, multi-generational families, and residents across income levels without radical disruption to existing neighborhoods.

The challenges Albuquerque faces, from rising housing costs to flat tax revenues, cannot be solved without smart, pragmatic reforms to our land use system. R-25-167 is precisely the type of measured, bottom-up reform our city needs. It creates a clear, equitable process for adding homes and neighbors where they make sense, while reinforcing the incremental, community-driven vision embedded in the Integrated Development Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan.

We urge the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee to recommend approval of R-25-167 and forward it to the full City Council with a “do pass” recommendation. This resolution is a crucial step toward building a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive Albuquerque.

Thank you for your leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,
Strong Towns ABQ