Silver Hill Accessory Dwelling Units

A proposal to turn the Silver Hill neighborhood into an Historic Overlay Zone and a Design Overlay Zone is close to being presented. Historic Overlay and Design Overlay Zones are the most restrictive zoning used by the city of Albuquerque. Among other restrictions, the new zoning would require property owners in the Silver Hill neighborhood to receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission in order to do any exterior work on buildings or fences. The Design Overlay for the rest of the neighborhood would include fewer regulations.

An early draft of the Sector Development Plan Amendment included a provision allowing small affordable conditional-use dwelling units to be added to properties in the Silver Hill neighborhood. Allowing for mother-in-law units is a modest economic incentive, and a fair compromise for those most affected by the new restrictions.

We, the undersigned, request that the original wording allowing conditional accessory units be restored back into the Sector Development Plan Amendment. The wording was as follows:
*Where two dwelling units on one lot exist upon adoption of this plan amendment, such dwelling units are allowed and regulated as an approved conditional use. Additions to these two existing dwelling units are allowed, provided that the additions shall comply with regulations for height, setback, and off-street parking; and, that a minimum of 800 sf of usable open space shall be provided on-site per dwelling unit.
*Where one dwelling unit on one lot exists upon adoption of this plan, one new accessory unit may be approved as conditional use.