by Michael Montalvo
Daily Lobo
Plans to build a condominium complex a couple blocks from UNM has some residents worried about overcrowding in the neighborhood.
The site for the proposed complex -- 51 condominium units in a four-story building - is a parking lot on the south side of Gold Avenue, between Terrace Street and Buena Vista Drive.
"Several people said that they would love to see us get rid of that ugly parking lot," said Jim Strozier, co-owner of Consensus Planning. "Others said that they love the environmental things we're doing, but it's too big, too tall, and it has too many units."
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Strozier's company was hired to work with the city on the project by Sheffield Partners, the developer that owns the lot and the Silver Hill Lofts across Gold Avenue.
The city must rezone the site for residential development before construction could begin, Strozier said.
"The only thing that we could build on the property per the zoning would be a 26-foot parking garage," he said. "That's what it's zoned for now."
Consensus Planning submitted the rezoning paperwork to Albuquerque's planning department, said Deborah Nason, spokeswoman for the department.
The department will review the request and make a recommendation to the Environmental Planning Commission, Nason said.
The commission will make a zoning decision at an Oct. 18 public hearing at the Plaza del Sol Hearing Room at 600 Second St. N.W., she said.
"Neighborhoods that will be most effected by the project have been notified about the hearing by mail," she said. "If there are people who are in opposition, they will have an opportunity to speak at the hearing."
Most people who live in the area don't want the complex, said student Danny Hernandez, president of the University Heights Neighborhood Association.
"I don't believe that this project is going to go through, because both neighborhoods affected by this project are in opposition," he said.
Hernandez said the development will worsen the parking situation in the area.
The development plans include 72 parking spots, the number of parking spaces required by the city, Strozier said.
That gives a space to each of the 51 units, the 19 units at the Silver Hill Lofts and spaces for visitor parking, Strozier said.
"There's one full level of underground parking under the entire building," he said. "About half of the ground level will be for parking as well."
Hernandez said the 72 parking spots would be insufficient for the development.
"Our experience is that most people move into the neighborhood with more than one car," he said. "That's going to be a problem."
Student Palani Ray said he usually parks at the lot where the complex is proposed.
Ray said he'll have to adjust his schedule if the development is approved.
"I'll have to get a pass for South Lot because there is not much here for parking," he said. "It definitely would take a lot more time waiting for the bus and having to ride it."
For more information, call Consensus Planning at 764-9801.
