South Coors Corridor Sector Development Plan: September 17, 2024 Public Open House Summary

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Public Open House on September 17, 2024, regarding the South Coors Corridor Sector Development Plan. Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of this important area.

The open house provided an overview of the project, its purpose, scope, and schedule. Two presentations were held at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and attendees explored stations highlighting key elements of the plan: Sustainability, Land Use & Zoning, Housing, Transportation, Economic Development, and Utilities. Each station addressed critical issues and takeaways, offering participants the opportunity to share their priorities and concerns. Below is a summary of the key feedback received.

Key Feedback Highlights

Sustainability:

Key Takeaways of Sustainability include the following:

• TREE COVER: Tree canopies are essential for creating a comfortable and walkable urban environment. They provide shade, reduce the urban heat island effect, and enhance air quality. The Coors Corridor has limited tree coverage, which hinders walkability and discourages outdoor activities. Expanding the tree canopy is crucial for improving the pedestrian experience and fostering a vibrant streetscape.
• HEAT ISLANDS: South Coors experiences significant heat island effects due to limited vegetation and expansive hard surfaces, leading to elevated temperatures. This impacts livability and deters outdoor activities. Mitigating heat islands through green infrastructure, such as planting trees and using alternative parking surfaces, is essential for enhancing walkability and reducing health risks associated with heat exposure.
• LANDFILLS: Two former landfills in the Plan Area present environmental challenges, including potential gas generation and contamination risks. Development near these sites requires careful assessment, monitoring, and mitigation measures to ensure safety and compliance with environmental guidelines.
• WATER QUALITY: The Plan Area includes both active and inactive NPDES-regulated sites that affect water quality. Proper monitoring and management of these sites are crucial to prevent water contamination, maintain ecological health, and support sustainable development. Both active pollutant dischargers and residual risks from inactive sites must be addressed.
• AIR QUALITY: Air quality varies across the Coors Corridor, with moderate to high respiratory risks in many areas. The Air Toxics Respiratory Index (ATRI) highlights the need for targeted interventions, such as stricter emission controls and green infrastructure, to reduce pollutant levels and safeguard public health, particularly in areas with high residential density.

Land Use:

Key Takeaways of Land Use and Zoning include the following:

• GENERAL SENTIMENT AND AFFECTION FOR THE AREA: Residents have a strong love for the Valley, emphasizing the importance of maintaining its rural character, open spaces, and a sense
  of community that supports animals and fosters neighborly connections.
• COMMUNITY CHARACTER AND AESTHETICS: The community values the rural charm and visual
  appeal of the greater Valley, favoring smaller-scale buildings that align with local culture and aesthetics, and express a dislike for tall, imposing structures.
• OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: There is a desire to preserve open spaces and enhance the natural environment, with calls for improved landscaping in developments and the planting of pollinator-friendly and native plants.
• COMMUNITY AMMENITIES AND SERVICES: Residents want a variety of community amenities, including senior centers and family-friendly restaurants, and they advocate for mixed-use housing that promotes small businesses and provides fresh food options.
• TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESSIBILITY: The community advocates for protected bike lanes to enhance safety and discourage drive-thrus, highlighting the need for a walkable neighborhood that encourages community interaction.

Transportation:

Key Takeaways of Transportation include the following:

• COMMUTER MODE: Personal vehicles dominate commuter mode, with 94.4% of commuters using cars. Alternative transportation modes such as walking (0.7%) and transit (0.6%) have minimal uptake, and no respondents commute by bike. Around 3.4% of individuals work from home, eliminating the need for commuting.
• STREET NETWORK: The Plan Area’s street network lacks connectivity, with Coors Boulevard functioning as the primary north-south arterial, designed for high-speed, high-capacity traffic. It prioritizes through traffic over local access, while east-west connectivity is limited to a few arterial and collector roads. Future redevelopment should focus on improving road connectivity to align with regional transportation goals.
• TRANSIT SYSTEM: Coors Boulevard is part of a key transit route, designated as a Major Transit Corridor, but current service frequency falls below the ideal, affecting accessibility. The area is undergoing transit network revisions that would reroute service off Coors to Unser Blvd. Promoting Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) through aligned land uses and design standards is essential for maintaining quality transit service along the corridor.
• PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES: Pedestrian infrastructure is fragmented and insufficient, with narrow, poorly maintained sidewalks and a lack of safe crosswalks or ADA-compliant facilities. This creates unsafe conditions, particularly for disabled individuals and transit users. Improvements that establish a safe, continuous, and accessible sidewalk network are critical to enhancing livability for area residents.
• BICYCLE FACILITIES: Bicycle lanes along Coors Boulevard are minimal and disconnected. The long-range plan proposes expanding and protecting these lanes, with necessary buffers to improve cyclist safety on high-speed roads. These upgrades are needed to make cycling a safe and viable mode of transportation and recreation along the corridor.
• SAFETY: Traffic-related fatalities and injuries, particularly involving pedestrians and bicyclists, are significant concerns. Several crash hotspots along Coors Boulevard have elevated collision rates. The Road Safety Audit recommends speed enforcement, mid-block crossings, continuous sidewalks, and improved lighting. New and upgraded pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is crucial to improving safety along the corridor.
• CLIMATE IMPACT: Transportation is a major contributor to climate change through vehicle emissions. Strategies like promoting electric vehicles, carpooling, and developing more walkable, mixed-use communities are essential for reducing the transportation sector’s carbon footprint.
• LAND USE & TRANSPORTATION MISMATCH: The current transportation infrastructure does not align well with desired land use patterns. Improving pedestrian, cycling, and transit infrastructure will help support compact, mixed-use developments and reduce car dependency, enhancing livability and sustainability in the Coors Corridor.

Housing:

Key Takeaways of Housing include the following:

• HOUSING RELATED DEMOGRAPHICS: The Plan Area has about 3,157 housing units, predominantly single-family homes (94.4% occupied), with many lacking basic facilities. Nearly 80% of renters in the broader area are rent-burdened, paying over 30% of their income on rent, and a significant number of households have been in place since before 2000. Policies should promote diverse housing development and improve conditions through targeted renovations and support services.

• HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTRIBUTION: The County’s housing is mainly low-density, with little new construction since 2010. There is a heavy concentration of single-family and mobile homes, while higher-density options, such as townhouses and apartments, are lacking, contributing to an affordable housing gap. Revising zoning regulations and promoting mixed-use developments can encourage higher-density housing.

• HOUSING SHORTAGES AND BARRIERS: Rising home prices and limited supply, worsened by population growth and insufficient construction, have created housing shortages. Zoning restrictions and complex permitting further hinder affordable housing development, and the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified these issues. Streamlining permitting and updating zoning to support affordable housing can help address these shortages.

• HOUSING VARIETY: Diverse housing types promote equitable access, reduce homelessness, and adapt to varying economic conditions. Encouraging diverse housing options, particularly in Activity Centers, can improve housing availability.

• BERNCO HOUSING PROGRAMS: Bernalillo County offers affordable housing programs for vulnerable populations, including veterans, the elderly, and low-income families, supporting stability and independence.

• COMPLETE NEIGHBORHOODS: The complete neighborhood concept emphasizes walkability, access to services, and mixed-use development, enhancing quality of life and sustainability. The
• sector plan should adopt policies promoting these neighborhoods to integrate residential areas with essential services.

• NEIGHBORHOOD STABILITY: Directing higher-density development to Activity Centers helps preserve established neighborhoods, promoting smart growth while maintaining community character. Prioritizing growth in these areas aligns with community-driven plans..

• ACTIVITY CENTERS OPPORTUNITES: Mixed-use Activity Centers support neighborhood stability by consolidating residential and commercial uses, offering essential services nearby, and catering to diverse housing needs. Clear guidelines for developing these centers can ensure they meet community needs while supporting growth.

Economic Development:

Key Takeaways of Economic Development include the following:

• INDUSTRY AND LABOUR DEMOGRAPHICS: The greater plan area has a workforce of 13,983, with a labor force participation rate of 56.58%. Of those employed, 74.6% work in private sectors, 18.7% in government, and 6.5% are self-employed. Key occupational sectors include management, business, science, and arts (24%), natural resources and construction (22%), and service occupations (21%). Educational services and healthcare dominate job numbers, reflecting the workforce distribution around commercial hubs like Coors and Bridge Boulevards.
• BUSINESS LANDSCAPE: The Plan Area hosts about 120 businesses, including agricultural, commercial, industrial, and institutional entities. Notable centers like Avanzado and Las Estancias offer significant commercial space and services, but many businesses focus on auto-related services, leading to a lack of neighborhood retail options. Despite high traffic, many vacant lots indicate underutilization, suggesting potential for commercial development to better meet community needs.
• JOBS AND HOUSING IMBALANCE: A significant imbalance exists between jobs and housing in the area, predominantly residential with limited local employment. Many residents commute to other parts of Albuquerque, contributing to traffic congestion and infrastructure strain. Coors

Utilities Infrastructure:

Key Takeaways of Utility Infrastructure include the following:

• DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE: The Plan Areas drainage systems, managed by AMAFCA and MRGCD, play a critical role in flood control and irrigation. These systems, including acequias and arroyos, are vital for managing stormwater and preserving the area’s agricultural heritage, while also supporting green spaces and recreational trails.
• STORMWATER MANAGEMENT: Coors Boulevard lacks adequate flood control measures, leading to frequent flooding during storms. This absence poses safety risks and disrupts development, highlighting the need for improved stormwater infrastructure to protect the area.

• BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY: The plan area has good broadband coverage, meeting FCC standards for download (25 Mbps) and upload speeds (3 Mbps). Adequate broadband fosters economic growth by attracting businesses and supporting remote work, education, and healthcare, making it crucial for long-term resilience.

• INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE: Resilient infrastructure planning is vital for ensuring long-term sustainability, supporting growth, and minimizing climate impacts. Resilient infrastructure, including water conservation and stormwater management, must be integrated throughout the corridor to promote sustainability and minimize climate change impacts.

• GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND LID: Implementing Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)and Low Impact Development (LID) strategies is essential for enhancing the corridor’s flood resilience. Techniques such as bioswales, permeable pavements, and rain gardens promote sustainable stormwater management, reducing flood risks and supporting environmental sustainability.

The draft Existing Conditions Assessment for the South Coors Corridor is now available for public review. We encourage you to review the draft and submit your feedback by October 14, 2024. Comments can be sent to the project team at BernCoCoorsBlvdSP@dpsdesign.org.

Thank you again for your participation and your ongoing commitment to improving our community!