Rio Rancho Planning & Zoning Board Meeting (Dec 16, 2025)

The Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board convened on December 16, 2025, to review a series of consent calendar items, public hearings regarding variances and plat requests, and master plan amendments. The meeting featured presentations from city staff and applicants, including discussions on a shed variance, final plats for commercial and residential developments, and significant master plan expansions. While most items proceeded to approval, one variance request was postponed pending additional documentation.

Consent Calendar

• The Board unanimously approved the Consent Calendar after a roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rob Spella (Applicant, 1576 Arlean Road SE): Expressed a strong desire for the approval of a variance for a 140-square-foot shed. The applicant stated the shed would financially burden the homeowner if moved or rotated as suggested by staff. Mr. Spella noted the shed replaces a previous fire hazard and claimed he has no documentation of neighbor opposition, though he admitted no formal letters were available for the meeting.
• Kenneth Todd (Resident, 1609 Brenda Rd): Expressed support for leaving the shed in its current location, stating he does not know the applicant personally but that the structure does not interfere with his property. Mr. Todd recommended the applicant "mind his own business" while he minds his, noting he follows city guidelines.
• Anonymous Neighbor (Speaker ID not fully captured, Star Heights area): Expressed opposition to denying the variance, stating the shed would be a "burden" to the applicant if moved. The speaker supported leaving the shed in place provided the applicant follows guidelines in the future.

Discussion Items

• Item 6 (Variance Request - 1576 Arlean Road SE): Staff recommended denial of a variance for a 140-square-foot shed encroaching on side setback requirements. Staff suggested moving the shed 90 degrees and three feet to comply with code. Commissioner Hardesty clarified for the record that the determination of the property's geometry was based solely on aerial imagery and site plans, not a physical site visit. Commissioner Kaufcher questioned the lack of documentation regarding neighbor support; the applicant acknowledged letters were received after the agenda briefing deadline and could not be formally added to the packet. Applicant Rob Spella agreed to gather and submit further written consent from all adjacent neighbors.
• Item 7 (Final Plat - UNSER Pavilion West Tract A): Planner Michelle Castilla presented the request for a 5.5-acre C1 retail commercial final plat, including right-of-way dedications. Surveyor Thomas Patrick acted as the agent for the applicant.
• Item 8 (Preliminary Plat Amendment - Loma Sincatatus 1D Phase 1A): Planner Tim Dvorak presented the amendment to split Phase 1 into 1A and 1B, modify a drainage tract (Tract F), and add two lots, reducing the lot count to 46 for Phase 1A alone. Developer Brian Ottagon confirmed agreement with staff's conditions.
• Item 9 (Final Plat - Loma Sincatatus 1D): Staff recommended approval for the final plat of the subdivision concurrent with the amendment discussed in Item 8.
• Item 10 (Master Plan & Zone Map Amendment - High Range Six): Planner Lizarese Carlos presented a request to add four lots (re-zoning from R1/O1 to R5) to incorporate previously fragmented lots and improve lot layout. Agent Justin Simonson noted the request involved acquiring lots from previous developers.
• Item 11 (Zone Map Amendment - High Range Six): Concurrent with Item 10, staff recommended re-zoning the specific lots to R5 single-family residential. Agent Justin Simonson confirmed the application was well-prepared.
• Item 12 (Master Plan Amendment - Papillon): Planner Lizarese Carlos and Principal Jim Strocher presented an amendment to add 97.8 acres (104 parcels) to the Papillon Master Plan. Strocher noted this is a revised version of a July 2025 request that was previously withdrawn after a 4-2 recommendation of denial. The new proposal ensures 100% ownership and addresses previous board concerns. The plan outlines a multimodal traffic network, including bike lanes and trails in arroyo corridors.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Item 3/4 (Withdrawn): Item 4 was formally withdrawn and acknowledged.
• Item 5 (Withdrawn): Item 5 was moved to withdraw and approved.
• Item 6 (Variance): Postponed to January 13, 2026, with the directive to submit additional written consent from neighbors.
• Item 7 (Final Plat - UNSER Pavilion): Approved via roll call vote (5-0).
• Item 8 (Preliminary Plat Amendment - Loma Sincatatus): Approved via roll call vote (5-0).
• Item 9 (Final Plat - Loma Sincatatus): Approved via roll call vote (5-0).
• Item 10 (Master Plan Amendment - High Range Six): Approved via roll call vote (5-0) with a recommendation to the governing body.
• Item 11 (Zone Map Amendment - High Range Six): Approved via roll call vote (5-0) with a recommendation to the governing body.
• Item 12 (Master Plan Amendment - Papillon): Approved via roll call vote (5-0) with a recommendation to the governing body.
• Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed.