Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board Meeting – March 10, 2026

The Planning and Zoning Board met on March 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The board approved a consent calendar, recommended approval of the Orchard Park Master Plan, approved a variance for a shed after a 5–1 vote, and unanimously postponed three subdivision-related items to the March 24, 2026 meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the consent calendar by a unanimous vote (6–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (Variance): The applicant, Andrew Riley, argued that the variance was needed to allow a 300‑square‑foot shed (30×10 ft, 10 ft tall) to encroach 4.5 ft into the required 5‑ft side setback on his property, citing access to the backyard and the ability to move the shed if needed. He noted that the property backs up to the Rio Grande Bosque public space, making future utility needs unlikely. The adjacent neighbor, Rob Krapoer (2336 Manzano Loop NE), testified in support, stating that existing sheds are already present and that he had no objection to the proposal. A letter of opposition was noted from another neighbor (SBonsal), but no one spoke against the item during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 – Orchard Park Master Plan: Staff and applicant (Ron Bohannon, Tierra West) presented the plan for a 43.13‑acre mixed‑use development to be rezoned from TZ to R‑4, comprising 278 medium‑density single‑family residential lots (revised from 273), approximately 2.4 acres of parkland dedication, an HOA with private pocket parks, and a walking trail. The master plan is bisected by future Progress Boulevard NE and will be developed in four phases. Staff recommended approval with findings and conditions. Commissioner Hardesty asked about the timing of master plan approval relative to zoning and whether out‑parcels not owned by the applicant would be bound by the plan; staff clarified that the plan sets land uses before zoning and that out‑parcels are excluded. The board voted to recommend approval to the Governing Body.
• Item 3 – Variance (2332 Manzano Loop NE): Staff recommended denial, finding that the lot is not irregular and that the applicant did not meet the variance criteria. The applicant sought a variance to allow a shed to be placed 0.5 ft from the left side property line (6 inches, instead of the required 5 ft). The board discussed the shed’s height (10 ft), drainage, and the neighbor’s fence height. After public testimony, the board voted 5–1 to approve the variance.
• Items 4, 5, and 6 – Postponements (Northern Exposure Subdivision): Staff presented three requests from Outer Rim Investments, Inc. to postpone hearings on a subdivision variance (dead‑end street stubs for Grand Street NW and Arctic Avenue NW) and a preliminary plat (72 single‑family lots) to the March 24, 2026 meeting. The board unanimously approved all three postponements.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2 (Master Plan): Motion to approve (recommend to Governing Body) passed unanimously (6–0).
• Item 3 (Variance): Motion to approve the variance passed 5–1 (Commissioner Gabaldon dissenting). The variance allows a 4.5‑ft encroachment into the side setback for the proposed shed. An encroachment agreement with franchised utilities will be required, and remaining building department comments must be addressed.
• Items 4, 5, 6 (Postponements): All three motions to postpone to the March 24, 2026 meeting passed unanimously.
• The meeting adjourned without further public forum or board comments.