Development Hearing Officer

Function

The Development Hearing Officer (DHO) conducts quasi-judicial hearings to:

1.  Approve or deny major subdivision actions where no re-zoning or annexation is required.
2.  Establish rights-of-way.
3.  Vacate public rights-of-way.
4.  Establish or vacate public and private easements.
5.  Waive standards in IDO Sections 14-16-5-3 (Access and Connectivity), 14-16-5-4 (Subdivision of Land), or 14-16-5-5 (Parking and Loading), or the Development Process Manual (DPM).

The DHO is charged with administering the IDO and the DPM as well as other City ordinances and policies applicable to subdivision actions.  In addition, Waivers heard by the DHO can apply to Site Plans. 

Applications are reviewed against the regulations in the Effective IDO Document.

DHO Hearings

DHO hearings are held remotely twice a month according to the DHO calendar. The public hearing portion of each week's agenda is announced in the Albuquerque Journal.

Hearing Calendars

• Major 2025 Calendar for DHO hearings
• Minor 2025 Calendar for DHO hearings

Hearing Details and Agendas

The DHO meets remotely according to the DHO calendar, Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.

• Agendas and Actions

The DHO ‘remote’ public hearings use Zoom.  All participants –  DHO, DFT staff, applicants, and the public – participate remotely.  You can choose to participate by video or audio only.  Participants can listen to the meeting and may also speak during the public comment period.  The agenda for the DHO meeting is posted on the City website by Friday afternoon ahead of the Wednesday meeting.  The agenda includes information on accessing the DHO meeting.  Participants can call the number listed on the agenda from their phone to be connected to the meeting.  Participants may also can click on the link on the agenda to participate via computer (a microphone is required; a camera is optional.)  Participants are not required to create a Zoom account, but may choose to do so. 

Rules of Procedure

DHO Rules of Procedure

Contacts

For questions, please contact:

• DHO Planner Robert Webb: 505-924-3910 or [email protected] 
• DHO Hearing Monitor Angela Gomez: 505-924-3946 or [email protected]

 For copies of recorded platting documents, contact the Bernalillo County Clerk.

*Are you stuck in a process? Email our Planning Department Navigators to help point you in the right direction: Renee and Annette at [email protected].

Application Information

All applications must be submitted in ABQ-PLAN. POSSE and AVOLVE systems are no longer available.

This online case tracking software allows you to fill out your application, submit required documents, track application progress, and pay application fees from any computer or mobile device.

Requirements for Plats

The DHO requires that all Plats be signed and sealed by a licensed surveyor, licensed in the State of New Mexico. For plats, the first page must be signed and sealed. 

Submittal Requirements

 Approvals needed prior to application submittal for all projects*:

• Hydrology:
  • Grading and Drainage Plan
• Transportation:
  • Traffic Circulations Layout (TCL)
  • Traffic Impact Study (TIS)
  • Neighborhood Impact Analysis (NIA)
• ABCWUA:
  • Water/Sewer Availability Statement
  • ABCWUA Development Agreement or Service Connection Agreement (if required)
• Other agencies (if required under the Hydrology or Transportation submittals):
  • AMAFCA
  • Bernalillo County
  • NMDOT
  • MRGCD

Preliminary/Final Plat Submittals (signature/approvals needed prior to application submittal for all projects*):

• Infrastructure Improvements Agreement (IIA**)
• MRGCD (if required)
• AMAFCA (if required)
• Bernalillo County (if required)
• NMDOT (if required)
• NM Gas
• PNM
• COMCAST
• AGIS (DXF approval)
• City Surveyor’s Signature
• Owner’s Signature

* Except Sketch Plat/Plan submittals

** Prior to Final Plat submittals and/or Final Site Plan approval submittals

Supplemental Submittals

The deadline for supplemental submittals to address DHO comments is noon on Friday, unless noted on the DHO calendar. We need this time to review your submittal completely. Submittals received after the deadline will be reviewed for the following meeting.

ABQ-PLAN

See below for links to an updated infrastructure list template and examples of signature blocks for different types of applications:

• Download the Infrastructure List
• Download the Plat Signature Block