Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board Meeting – April 8, 2025

The Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board met on April 8, 2025, to consider two major items: the Chamisa Hills Master Plan and a corresponding Zone Map Amendment for the former golf course property (approximately 281 acres). After a public hearing with extensive testimony from residents, the board voted to recommend approval of both items to the Governing Body, with amendments to the zoning standards. The meeting also included routine consent calendar approval and monthly staff reports.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the March 25, 2025 Planning and Zoning Board Meeting Minutes (7-0).

Staff Presentations, Reports and Comments

• Planning and Zoning Monthly Building Activity Report and Monthly Summary Plat Report for March 2025 were presented as non-action items. Staff answered questions from the board.

Public Hearings & Public Comments

Items 4 and 5 (Chamisa Hills Master Plan and Zone Map Amendment) were heard together.

The public comment period was split into those in favor and those opposed. No in-person comments were given in favor. Several dozen residents spoke in opposition, raising concerns about:

• Notification: Many residents claimed they did not receive proper notice by mail or certified letter, despite the city stating 685 notices were mailed and 107 returned. Several speakers said they learned of the meeting only through signs or neighbors.
• Open Space and Maintenance: Residents argued the proposed $400,000 bond for the Eastview Heights open space (62 acres) is inadequate. They expressed doubts about long-term maintenance, HOA governance, and the lack of a clear mechanism for ownership and upkeep.
• Traffic and Safety: Multiple speakers cited increased traffic on narrow streets like Calle Sueños, St. Andrews, and East Lake Drive, which lack sidewalks. Concerns about pedestrian safety, especially for children and school bus stops, were prominent.
• Density and Zoning: Many opposed the proposed R3, R4, and mixed-use zoning, arguing it would degrade property values, obstruct views, and create privacy issues. They noted that previous agreements (e.g., Scarsgard plan) called for lower density and single-story homes.
• Lack of Community Engagement: Several HOAs (e.g., North Nine, Enclave, Greens) stated they were not consulted or had not met with the developer since mid-2024. They felt their concerns were ignored.
• Drainage and Environmental Issues: Speakers noted that ponds and drainage have not been fully remediated or approved by state agencies (Sandoval County Flood Authority, NM Environment Department).
• PID and HOA Costs: Residents worried about a proposed Public Improvement District (PID) potentially taxing existing homeowners, but the developer clarified it would only apply to new development.

Two board members (Commissioners Gabaldon and Tortorici) recused themselves from the hearing and deliberation due to property interests in the affected area.

Discussion Items

Master Plan and Zone Map Amendment

Applicant RR Mesa LLC, represented by Consensus Planning (Jim Strocher), presented a detailed plan including:

• Luxview Estates (West 9): 110 single-family lots, zoned R4 but developed per R1 standards (single-story, 65-foot buffer, single access from Broadmoor).
• Sierra Vista (senior, 38 lots), Vita Moderna (70 lots), Nueva Esperanza (84 townhomes): All zoned R3, with Vita Moderna developed per R2 standards (single-story).
• La Jolla de Rio Rancho (town center, 17 acres): Mixed-use (MUA) with plaza, retail, and residential, private roads.
• Chamisa Hills Business Park (6 acres, C1).
• Eastview Heights Open Space (62 acres, OS): No development, $400,000 bond for trails and landscaping, with intent to transfer to a public or nonprofit entity.
• A neighborhood park (11 acres) and a trail network.

Staff (Michelle Costilla) recommended approval with conditions, noting that open space, park access, and governance concerns could be addressed through the zoning ordinance and future plat reviews. Staff also addressed notification procedures, confirming legal ads, mailed notices, and signs were completed per state statute and city code.

Board members asked clarifying questions about:

• Drainage and traffic studies (required at plat stage).
• The adequacy of the $400,000 bond (developer said it was based on a contractor estimate).
• Enforcement of zoning standards (the board agreed to amend the proposed ordinance to reflect the R1/R2 commitments for specific areas).
• The difference between the master plan and actual plat approvals (master plan is aspirational, detailed plans come later).

Key Amendments: The board moved to amend the master plan and zoning ordinance to explicitly require:

• West 9 (Luxview Estates) to be developed with R1 standards (lot width, size), single-story, single access from Broadmoor, and a 65-foot buffer.
• Vita Moderna to be developed with R2 standards, single-story.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Approve the Master Plan (Item 4) as amended: Passed 5-0 (Commissioners Gabaldon and Tortorici recused).
• Motion to Amend the Zoning Ordinance to reflect the above standards: Passed 5-0.
• Motion to Approve the Zone Map Amendment (Item 5) as amended: Passed 5-0.

The board’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Governing Body (City Council) for final action on May 8, 2025. The board noted that if substantial changes are made to the application, it may be brought back to the Planning and Zoning Board for further review.