(A) TITLE. This Article and all amendments thereto shall be known as the “Comprehensive Zoning Code.”
(B) JURISDICTION. This Article governs all property located within the zoning jurisdiction of the Village.
(C) PURPOSE AND INTENT. It is the purpose of this Article to require development and redevelopment of land in the Village in a manner that retains and enhances the economic, historical, architectural, educational, civic, social, cultural, and aesthetic values, and the overall quality of life within the community. The intent is to implement the goals and objectives of the adopted Master Plan.
(D) STANDARDS. The purposes listed in paragraph (C), along with goals and policies of the Master Plan in effect at the time, and the applicable criteria for specific land uses, shall be the standards that the Board or Commission will apply when making zoning determinations. In accordance with the public health, safety, and general welfare, these regulations are intended to protect the unique character of the Village by:
(1) The maintenance and encouragement of a diversified and balanced land use pattern including adequate levels of community retail services and multi-family residential development opportunities within the commercial areas, single-family residential use, and special light manufacturing uses.
(2) The protection and enhancement of scenic vistas of the Sandia Mountains.
(3) The encouragement of pedestrian building scale and facades in new commercial developments.
(4) The provision of plazas, courtyards, malls, and other public amenities which serve to enhance the pedestrian environment along Fourth Street.
(5) The beautification of the streetscape through appropriate landscaping, street furniture, and sidewalk surface treatment.
(6) The protection of architecturally, historically, and culturally significant structures.
(7) The preservation of traditionally diverse and harmonious architectural styles and design preferences reflecting the community’s history, and to encourage complementary design and construction.
(8) These regulations are intended to improve retail, cultural and residential uses and the provision of off-street parking standards.
(E) AUTHORITY. The Director of Planning and Zoning or designee is hereby given the authority to interpret and implement the Comprehensive Zoning Code for the Village.
(F) SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or part of this Article is for any reason declared unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of the remaining portions hereof shall not be affected since it is the expressed intent of the Board to pass each section, subsection, paragraph, clause, phrase and every part thereof separately and independently of every other part.
(G) COMPILING CLAUSE. This Article shall be incorporated in and complied as a part of the Municipal Code of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(H) EFFECTIVE DATE, REPEAL, AND PUBLICATION. This Article shall take effect and be in full force five days after adoption.