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Record of Proceedings

Plan and Zoning Board Meeting Summary - January 27, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, January 27, 2026
BodyRio Rancho, New Mexico
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, January 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Okay, good evening, everyone.

0:09

Welcome to the plan and zoning board meeting for January 27th.

0:13

This meeting is now called to order.

0:16

Please silence all electronic devices while attending plan and zoning board meetings.

0:20

And please stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:32

We see the republic in which it stands.

0:44

Okay, for the record.

0:47

I would take roll by calling each plan board member's name.

0:50

Please acknowledge your present by saying present.

0:54

Kevin Kaufcher.

0:55

Present.

0:56

Robert Gabadon.

0:58

Present.

0:58

Andrell Hackins.

1:00

Present.

1:00

Lisa Harsey excused.

1:02

And Sal Totarichi.

1:03

Excuse.

1:04

Couple of housekeeping items.

1:06

In-person attendees, please fill out a speaker form if you wish to speak.

1:11

Only individuals who have signed up would be permitted to speak.

1:15

If you have yet to fill out the form, now is the time to do so and provide it to my to the recorder to my left.

1:22

Individual, I'm sorry, virtual attendees, please send a chat message for the host or use the raise hand feature if you want to provide public comment.

1:40

Okay.

1:41

Consent calendar.

1:45

Motion to approve consent calendar.

1:47

I move to approve the consent calendar is presented.

1:50

Can I get a second?

1:51

Second.

1:52

Call the roll.

1:57

Yes.

1:59

Yes.

2:00

Vice Chair Gabbledon.

2:01

Yes.

2:02

Commissioner Hinkins.

2:03

Yes.

2:05

Okay, thank you.

2:07

Okay.

2:08

Moving on to public hearings.

2:14

First was second item is the variance.

2:17

That is to be presented by Michelle Costile and South recommends deny your with findings.

2:24

Good evening, Mr.

2:25

Chairman, members of the board.

2:26

Michelle Castilla, planner with the city of Rio Rancho.

2:29

This item is a request for approval of a variance to the R4 single family residential 15-foot rear setback requirement as outlined in the rear rancho municipal code, section 154.50 in order to construct a shed at the property legally described as Cotazon at Cabazon block 6, lot 10.

2:47

Subject property is located on a private road at the Cotazonic Cabezone subdivision off of Cabazon Boulevard Southeast, a minor arterial road.2 acres.

3:02

It's zoned R for single family residential per ordinance number three, enactment 5-3, and it's located within the Cabazon Community's Master Plan.

3:10

The applicant is requesting to build a 384 square foot shed five feet away from the rear property line, which will be encroaching 10 feet into the 15-foot rear setback.

3:20

There's also a 10-foot public utility easement along the rear side of the property line.

3:37

Staff recommends the planning and zoning board find that the lot is not irregular in shape, narrow, shallow, or steep, and does not have exceptional physical condition.

3:45

That is preventing the applicant from complying with chapter 154.

3:49

The strict application of the minimum recep of 15 feet would not result in a hardship.

3:58

And with that, I'll stand for any questions.

4:00

Okay, thank you.

4:17

Does anyone wish to speak for or against item number two?

4:26

Okay.

4:29

Senator One virtual wish to speak against item four or against item number two.

4:38

Okay.

4:39

Um guess motion to approve item number two.

4:43

Mr.

4:43

Chair, motion to approve item number two is presented.

4:48

Second.

4:49

Okay, and the discussion from the board.

4:54

Any discussion from the board.

5:00

anyone uh virtual wish to speak against item four or against item number two okay um i guess motion to approve item number two mr chair motion to approve item number two is presented second second okay in a discussion from the board any discussion from the board so is it my understanding that the the the shed's not built yet or is this just a proposed um commissioner coffee yes that is correct that um they're um seeking to obtain a permit okay so he hasn't built it in this location that he's presented in this site plan that he's got in here okay right okay any further discussion from the board hearing no one see none called a role vice chair gabbledon no commissioner henkins no commissioner coffer no chairman richon no fail okay move on uh item number three is a preliminary final plates staff contact is led Ray's Carlos and so recommends approval with findings and conditions uh thank you mr chair members of the board Lizarese Carlos planner with the city of Rare Rancho uh the item before you is a request for a preliminary final plot for 1280 15th Street southeast uh the applicants uh city of rancho in southern Sanibal County Arroyal Flood Control Authority otherwise known as SKFCA through their agent community sciences corporation requests approval of a preliminary final plot for the subject property legally described as black Royal Wildlife Park tract A1A1 and again that property is physically addressed at 1280 15th Street southeast the plat splits the existing track and dedicates 0.2104 acres of right away to the city of Rio Rancho you'll see it is quite a large tract um outlined in the map in red and then the portion of the track being affected uh specifically is outlined in that blue oval uh the right of way dedication is specifically located south of the intersection of Cabson Boulevard southeast on minor collector road and veranda road southeast a minor arterial road the track consists of 84.0811 acres and the entirety of the tract is zoned OS open space the subject property also falls within the unit 10 specific area plan here you'll see the plat again not area outlined and then blown up for reference staff recommends approval the preliminary final plot case number 25 200 50 subject to the following findings of fact and conditions and with that I will stand for any questions.

7:23

Okay thank you is applicant present please state your name and your address my name is Thomas Patrick with community sciences corporation 4481 Corralis Road in Corrales New Mexico maybe proceed all right thank you uh Mr Chair and Commissioners we're here tonight uh CSC is uh as agents for SCAFCA who uh per the statement of donation of real property with control number FR 2443 SKFCA is donating this tract so the purpose of this plat is to create this small track so that it can in fact be donated to the city and dedicated as right of way and uh we have I believe we have addressed all the comments of staff and are uh hoping for your approval and signatures okay thank you for coming um is anyone uh wish to speak for against item number three is anyone virtual who wish to speak for against item number three can I get a motion to approve item number three motion to approve item number three can I get a second second and a discussion from the board any discussion from the board I hear none I see none called a role vice chair gabbledon yes commissioner henkins yes commissioner yes yes okay moving on to I guess any discussion deliberations public form should we is there anyone here we we do have somebody signed up for public form tonight got you please come forward and state your name and your address and then uh Mr.

10:13

So I'm here, I got a light out saying that there'll be a tryout today, so I want to see what is all about and what is supposed to be.

10:48

At this point, there was uh no items um along Southern Boulevard that were heard tonight.

10:54

So um our regular agenda has been completed.

10:56

Gotcha.

10:57

Thank you for your comment.

11:05

Comments.

11:15

Can I get a second?

11:16

Second.

11:17

Almost a record.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████65%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████24%
Public Engagement████████11%
Summary of Proceedings

Plan and Zoning Board Meeting Summary - January 27, 2026

The Plan and Zoning Board convened on January 27, 2026, to address two public hearings regarding a residential variance and a preliminary final plat, alongside routine consent calendar items. The board approved the consent calendar unanimously. The first public hearing concerning a shed variance was denied after commissioners voted against approval. The second public hearing regarding a right-of-way dedication for an open space tract was approved. No substantive public comments were recorded other than a general inquiry about agenda items.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimous approval of the consent calendar (Motion and second provided; Vice Chair Gabbledon, Commissioner Hinkins, and Commissioner Coffier voted Yes).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • A member of the public (name not explicitly recorded in transcript) appeared to inquire about a "tryout" and specifically noted that no items along Southern Boulevard were heard during the meeting.

Discussion Items

Item 2: Variance Request (384 sq. ft. Shed)

  • Proposal Description: The applicant requested a variance to the R4 single-family residential rear setback requirement (15-foot code vs. 5-foot proposed) to construct a 384-square-foot shed 10 feet into the setback area. The property is 2 acres, zoned R4, and contains a 10-foot public utility easement. Staff recommended a "deny with findings" position, stating the lot is not irregular, narrow, shallow, or steep, and that strict application of the code would not result in a hardship.
  • Board Deliberation: Commissioners clarified that the shed was proposed but not yet built.
  • Speaker Positions:
    • No specific board members expressed verbal support or opposition prior to the vote, though the agenda item was framed as a request to be denied by staff.
    • The final vote indicated a position of opposition to the approval of the variance by all voting members present.

Item 3: Preliminary Final Plat (1280 15th Street SE)

  • Proposal Description: Community Sciences Corporation, acting as agent for the Sanibal County Arroyo Flood Control Authority (SCFCA), proposed a preliminary final plat to split a tract (Black Royal Wildlife Park tract A1A1) and dedicate 0.2104 acres of right-of-way to the City of Rio Rancho. The property consists of 84.0811 acres zoned OS (Open Space) within the Unit 10 Specific Area Plan.
  • Board Deliberation: The applicant, Thomas Patrick (Community Sciences Corporation), stated that staff comments had been addressed and that the purpose of the plat was to facilitate a donation of the right-of-way to the city.
  • Speaker Positions:
    • Staff recommended approval with findings and conditions.
    • The applicant expressed support for the approval to facilitate the donation.
    • No board members expressed opposition to the proposal.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 2 (Variance): Motion to approve failed. The board voted 3-0 (No votes from Vice Chair Gabbledon, Commissioner Hinkins, Commissioner Coffier, and Chairman Richon; note: transcript lists "no" for all members, indicating denial) to deny the variance request for the shed. The motion to approve was not seconded or failed on the roll call.
  • Item 3 (Preliminary Final Plat): Motion to approve Item 3 passed unanimously. Vice Chair Gabbledon, Commissioner Hinkins, and Commissioner (name unclear in transcript, likely Coffier) voted Yes. The plat was approved to allow the dedication of right-of-way for the open space tract.
  • Next Steps: Signatures required on the approved plat (Item 3) following the meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good evening, everyone. Welcome to the plan and zoning board meeting for January 27th. This meeting is now called to order. Please silence all electronic devices while attending plan and zoning board meetings. And please stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance. We see the republic in which it stands. Okay, for the record. I would take roll by calling each plan board member's name. Please acknowledge your present by saying present. Kevin Kaufcher. Present. Robert Gabadon. Present. Andrell Hackins. Present. Lisa Harsey excused. And Sal Totarichi. Excuse. Couple of housekeeping items. In-person attendees, please fill out a speaker form if you wish to speak. Only individuals who have signed up would be permitted to speak. If you have yet to fill out the form, now is the time to do so and provide it to my to the recorder to my left. Individual, I'm sorry, virtual attendees, please send a chat message for the host or use the raise hand feature if you want to provide public comment. Okay. Consent calendar. Motion to approve consent calendar. I move to approve the consent calendar is presented. Can I get a second? Second. Call the roll. Yes. Yes. Vice Chair Gabbledon. Yes. Commissioner Hinkins. Yes. Okay, thank you. Okay. Moving on to public hearings. First was second item is the variance. That is to be presented by Michelle Costile and South recommends deny your with findings. Good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. Michelle Castilla, planner with the city of Rio Rancho. This item is a request for approval of a variance to the R4 single family residential 15-foot rear setback requirement as outlined in the rear rancho municipal code, section 154.50 in order to construct a shed at the property legally described as Cotazon at Cabazon block 6, lot 10. Subject property is located on a private road at the Cotazonic Cabezone subdivision off of Cabazon Boulevard Southeast, a minor arterial road.2 acres. It's zoned R for single family residential per ordinance number three, enactment 5-3, and it's located within the Cabazon Community's Master Plan. The applicant is requesting to build a 384 square foot shed five feet away from the rear property line, which will be encroaching 10 feet into the 15-foot rear setback. There's also a 10-foot public utility easement along the rear side of the property line. Staff recommends the planning and zoning board find that the lot is not irregular in shape, narrow, shallow, or steep, and does not have exceptional physical condition.

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