Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board Meeting – March 25, 2025

The Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) met on March 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The board considered 10 public hearing items, including vacations of plat, conditional use permits, master plans, specific area plan amendments, and zone map amendments. Staff recommendations and board votes varied, with most items approved except for two related to Tampico Development LLC, which were denied on board recommendation. The meeting also included a consent calendar approval and a postponement request.

Consent Calendar

• March 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously by a 6–0 roll call vote (Vice Chair Richardson, Commissioner Kofchur, Chairman Radosevich, Commissioner Gabaldon, Commissioner Hankins, Commissioner Hardesty all yes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Items 9 & 10 (Tampico Development requests): Two residents spoke in opposition:
  • Megan Betts (7012 Batapa Road NE) raised concerns about environmental impacts on native wildlife, drainage costs (citing a 2010 estimate of $3.15 million for Unit 17 drainage improvements), and lack of updated studies to support the applicant’s market claims. She questioned plans for traffic management and road maintenance on dirt roads.
  • Josh David (7020 Batapa Road NE), a teacher and former police officer, argued the current commercial zoning is appropriate and that adding R4 residential would strain schools (class sizes already at 31), police, and roads. He urged the board to align with residents rather than developers.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 – Vacation of Plat (Isabel Road SE): Staff (Tamara Martinez) recommended approval. The applicant (FNA LLC) was not present. The board approved unanimously.
• Item 3 – Conditional Use Permit (Self-Storage at Inca Rd SE): Staff (Liz Ruiz Carlos) recommended approval for an RV/boat/trailer storage facility on 2 acres zoned C1. Commissioner Kofchur noted multiple storage facilities already exist nearby but was not opposed. The board approved unanimously.
• Items 4 & 5 – Vista Grande Master Plan and Zone Map Amendment (18.49 acres R1 to R4): Staff (Michelle Costilla) presented the 79-acre master plan with phases 1 and 2 already platted. The zone map amendment aligns with the comprehensive plan’s medium-density designation. No public comments. Approved unanimously.
• Items 6, 7, 8 – Lomas Negras Specific Area Plan Amendment, Stonegate Master Plan Amendment, and Zone Map Amendment: Staff presented three concurrent requests for Stonegate Tracts 3 and 5 (27.77 acres). Applicant Charlene Johnson (Consensus Planning) presented renderings of “Stonegate Village” — a mixed-use, walkable development with multifamily, townhomes, neighborhood commercial, and a redesigned Leeds Castle Drive with shared lanes, parallel parking, and green spaces. Commissioner Hardesty praised the concept for creating neighborhood cohesion. The board approved all three items unanimously.
• Items 9 & 10 – Tampico Development Requests:
  • Item 9 – Specific Area Plan Amendments (Tampico North SAP, La Barranca SAP, Comp Plan): Staff (Ben Isaacs) recommended denial, citing adverse effects on plan goals and lack of a master plan. Applicant Scooter Haynes argued the existing commercial zoning (SU for C1) is no longer viable because commercial development has shifted north to NM 528/550. He requested rezoning 26.51 acres to R4 residential, preserving a buffer on the hard corner of Idalia and 528 for future commercial use. He asserted that a master plan is overly burdensome at this stage. Board discussion raised concerns about losing commercial land at a major intersection and the lack of a detailed layout. The motion to approve failed 0–6 (Commissioner Hardesty, Vice Chair Richardson, Commissioner Hankins, Commissioner Gabaldon, Commissioner Kofchur, Chairman Radosevich all no).
  • Item 10 – Zone Map Amendment (SU C1 to R4): Same applicant and staff recommendation of denial. Public comment reiterated opposition. The board voted 0–6 (same roll call) against approval, effectively recommending denial to the Governing Body.
• Item 11 – Orchard Park Master Plan: Applicant requested postponement without a fixed date. Staff (Tim Dvorak) confirmed the applicant wishes to work further with staff. The board approved the postponement indefinitely by a unanimous 6–0 vote.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2 (Vacation of Plat): Approved 6–0.
• Item 3 (Conditional Use Permit): Approved 6–0.
• Items 4 & 5 (Vista Grande MP and ZMA): Approved 6–0 each.
• Items 6, 7, 8 (Stonegate SAP, MP, ZMA): All approved 6–0.
• Items 9 & 10 (Tampico SAP and ZMA): Motions to approve failed 0–6; the board thus recommends denial to the Governing Body.
• Item 11 (Orchard Park MP): Postponed indefinitely by a 6–0 vote.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioners thanked city staff (Sharon, Amy, Brian) for thorough preparation, noting that detailed packets reduce the need for extensive questioning during meetings.

Next Steps

Items with favorable board recommendations (Items 2–8) will proceed to the Governing Body for final action. Items 9 and 10, having failed at the PZB level, will be forwarded with a recommendation of denial. Item 11 will be re-noticed when the applicant resubmits.