(A) The City Council adopts the following findings:
(1) The proposed Route 66 Action Plan area compromises approximately 15 miles of Central Avenue/Route 66 within Albuquerque city limits from 116th Street to just east of Tramway Boulevard.
(2) The Plan provides goals and policies for City departments and other stakeholders to use in the revitalization of Route 66/Central Avenue and does not change zoning or provide technical drawings.
(3) The Plan has been vetted by the public and a Route 66 Working Group that was formed to support the development of the Plan.
(4) The Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan, the City of Albuquerque Integrated Development Ordinance, and the Route 66 Action Plan are incorporated herein by reference and made part of the record for all purposes.
(5) The Plan is intended to enhance and coordinate with capital projects outlined in the Rank III Sector Development Plans that exist along the Route 66 corridor.
(6) The Plan is consistent with the City Charter, which empowers the City to ensure proper land use and development (City Charter, Article I) and support a high-quality urban environment (City Charter, Article IX) by establishing a strategy to guide improvements in the built environment. The Plan implements and furthers the applicable Goals and Policies of the Rank I Comprehensive Plan as follows:
a) The Route 66 Action Plan contains policies, objectives, and actions to create attractive and meaningful public spaces along Route 66 to be enjoyed daily by locals and visitors. The Plan considers streetscapes, enhanced public spaces, signage, wayfinding, and public art as part of this effort (Policy II.B.6, Central Urban Area).
b) The Plan outlines measures to create a strong and diverse business economy. The Major Activity Centers along the Corridor, Unser to Coors, the BioPark, Old Town, and UNM are also seen as primary nodes. They are seen as assets to build upon. The Plan also looks at ways to support mixed-use and high-density residential projects, where appropriate, which will help promote multi-modal transportation and effective provision of City services (Policy II.B.7, Activity Centers).
c) The Plan supports protection and enhancements of significant historic districts and buildings with policies that preserve and protect Route 66 assets by recognizing Route 66 era buildings and celebrating key sites and historic places on Route 66 (Policy II.C.5, Historic Resources).
d) The Plan supports the arts, community events, and cultural traditions as incremental in the continued traditions of the “Mother Road” and the community’s well-being (Policy II.C.7, Cultural Traditions and the Arts).
e) Improvement of the developed landscape’s quality is a key element of the Action Plan as it makes recommendations for urban public spaces, natural open spaces, and a unified streetscape (Policy II.C.8, Developed Landscape).
f) The Plan focuses on the City right-of-way and makes suggestions for private property uses to create a better natural environment and built environment. The Plan will promote local history, culture, and traditions, while preserving the identity, character, and connectivity of each community within the corridor (Policy II.C.9, Community Identity and Urban Design).
g) The Plan proposes infrastructure improvements to storm water and drainage facilities and high speed digital services. The Plan outlines priorities for capital spending in existing service areas that reflect regional and local systems (Policy II.D.1, Service Provision).
h) The Plan, in conjunction with lower-ranking plans and ongoing efforts such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), will help develop a balanced circulation system thorough focused and coordinated capital expenditures with a primary goal to develop and support an attractive, comfortable, efficient, and easily accessible multi-modal transportation system (Policy II.D.4, Transportation and Transit).
i) The Plan supports catalytic opportunities for a strong and diverse business economy. It looks at ways to minimize gaps (undeveloped areas along Central Avenue) by promoting affordable housing projects, mixed use housing, and senior living facilities on undeveloped areas and increase density on Central Avenue. It also recommends coordination between internal departments before a building can be demolished (Policy II.D.5, Housing).
j) The Plan calls for City resources to demonstrate a strong commitment and investment in Central Avenue, giving high priority to City projects. Encouragement to locate new housing and jobs along Central Avenue may reduce the need to travel and/or focus travel to the corridor. The Plan calls for incentives for Route 66 businesses and development, attracting a diversity of business types and employment opportunities. The Plan encourages tourism by offering diverse attractions, lodging, restaurants, sights and sounds, businesses and events, along with unique marketing and branding of Route 66 and Albuquerque. The Plan suggests coordination with public and private partners for economic development, branding, and tourism purposes (Policy II.D.6, Economic Development).
k) The Plan makes recommendations for a safer and more secure community using tools such as CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) strategies in new and existing development, as well as in publicly funded projects. It also discusses the location of future police facilities, encouraging more pedestrian activity and expanding the Clean City program (Policy II.D.9, Public Safety).
l) The Plan supports the following applicable goals and policies of other Rank 2 Area/Facility Plans, Rank 3 Sector Plans and Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) Plans, and other city plans, as listed in Appendix D of the Plan.
(7) There were no adverse comments from the reviewing agencies. Comments have been addressed in the Plan.
(8) There were no adverse comments from the public. The public involvement process included 5 community meetings. A Route 66 Working Group was formed and continues to meet regularly to advise staff on the Plan. Information was also made available on the City website and in neighborhood newsletters. There is no known opposition to the Plan.
(B) The Route 66 Action Plan, attached hereto and made a part hereof, is adopted as a Rank 2 Facility Plan and regulatory guide to the implementation of the Rank 1 Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan and applicable Rank 2 and Rank 3 Plans as cited above.
(R-2014-094, approved 11-3-14; Res. 2017-102, approved 11-13-17)