CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY SEVENTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. O-26-30 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Joaqu?n Baca
ORDINANCE
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Amending The "Downtown Vacant Premises Ordinance" (ROA 1994, Chapter 14, Article 24) (Baca)
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WHEREAS, vacant premises are a public nuisance and a major cause and source of blight in both residential and nonresidential areas of the City, especially when the owner fails to actively maintain and manage the premises; and
WHEREAS, vacant premises as a public nuisance tend to hasten further vacancies, abandonment, and dilapidation in the area if left unchecked by the City; and
WHEREAS, Goal 11.2 Historic Assets states "Preserve and enhance significant historic districts and buildings to reflect our past as we move into the future and to strengthen our sense of identity;" and
WHEREAS, on April 27th, 2026 Lindy's Diner, located at 5th and central Ave. in the heart of the Downtown Core, had a portion of it's eastern wall collapse from a lack of structural integrity, compromising one of the City's historic gems; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance looks to create parameters to avoid this instance in the future by having the City be more proactive when it comes to structures in one of it's culturally significant districts.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
SECTION 1. The "Downtown Vacant Premises Ordianance,"Chapter 14, Article 24 of the Revised Ordinances of Albuquerque, 1994, is hereby amended as follows:
? 14-24-3 DEFINITIONS.
VACANT PREMISES. Any building or property which no person or persons actually, currently conducts a lawfully licensed business, or lawfully resides or lives in any part of the building or structure as the legal or equitable owner(s) or tenant-occupant(s), or owner-occupant(s), or tenant(s), or otherwise claiming possession through the owner, on a permanent, non-transient basis.
a. A building is deemed va...
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