Planning Department
The Planning Department Front Counter is the first source of information and advice regarding development requests. The counter is staffed full-time by three planners with the Development Review Services division. They respond to walk-in and phone requests.
The Front Counter also provides access to the City's Geographic Information System (AGIS). Front counter staff outline processes involved in specific development requests. Required steps for development within each of the 42 sector development plans are also explained. If additional information is needed, an applicant may be referred to a pre-application meeting or to another City agency.
The Front Counter accepts applications for subdivision activity within the city. Submission of public hearing items before the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) are also taken at the front counter, along with site development plan amendments (which meet administrative review), and appeals to the Board of Appeals (BOA), EPC, and the City Council.
For information on proposed legislation and building permit data, check out Timely Topics. For information on Sector Plans and other Planning Projects, click here.
Southwest Albuquerque Strategic Action Plan
(Adopted and published as amendments to the West Side Strategic Action Plan and three sector development plans).
In April 2009, the City of Albuquerque adopted the Southwest Albuquerque Strategic Action Plan. The entire plan was adopted as an amendment to the West Side Strategic Plan. The West Side Strategic Plan has been republished with the Southwest Action Plan in it.
Specific amendments to sector development plans in the Southwest Albuquerque Strategic Action Plan are now also published in the Rio Bravo Sector Development Plan, Tower/Unser Sector Development Plan, and West Route 66 Sector Development Plan.
Hard copies of all Plans are available at the Planning Department publications desk, ground floor of Plaza del Sol, 600 2nd Street NW and electronically at <cabq.gov/planning/publications>. Electronic publications are listed alphabetically on this web site.
If you have questions about the plan amendments, please contact Paula Donahue, City of Albuquerque Planning Department at 505-924-3932 or pdonahue@cabq.gov.
Clayton Heights MRA Plan - DRAFT 
[8.0 pdf]
The Clayton Heights MRA Plan is in the final stages of drafting. The Clayton Heights area is rich in Albuquerque amenities including the Isotopes Baseball Stadium, Lobo Football Stadium, The City of Albuquerque BMX /Velodrome and is a major gateway to Albuquerque's lights from the International Sunport Airport.
Questions: Richard Asenap, 505-924-3478, rasenap@cabq.gov
Great Streets Facility Plan
On April 09, 2009 the Great Streets Facility Plan was recommended for approval by the EPC. The GSFP will be heard by City Council later this summer. To access a copy of the plan, click here.
Sawmill/Wells Park Sector Development Plan
Text Amendments to the Sawmill/Wells Park Sector Development Plan (Project #100029) have been deferred to the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) hearing on Thursday, September 17, 2009. The EPC Public Hearing is an all day hearing that begins at 8:30 a.m. in the basement of the Plaza del Sol Building, 600 Second Street NW.
The amendments are sponsored by the City in light of changed conditions in the area. Council Bill F/S R-08-55 aims to improve connectivity and enhance streetscapes for multi-modal travel through: policies and standards for roadways, streetscapes and trails; re-establishing the Acequia Madre to Tiguex Park, subject to a new advisory committee to the City Council; a program of sidewalk improvements and a solar street lighting project; and calling for a Tax Increment for Development District (TIDD) and other funding sources to implement existing and proposed programs. Council Bill F/S R-09-221 is intended to allow community garden and nursery as permissive uses in the S-MI (Sawmill Mixed Industrial) zone.
For more information, contact Carol Toffaleti, Staff Planner at 505-924-3345 or email at cgtoffaleti@cabq.gov.
Building Safety Permits Move to New Billing System - June 1, 2009
The City of Albuquerque Planning Department is migrating to a new electronic permit payment system. For details, click here.