Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board Meeting - April 14, 2026
Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board Meeting - April 14, 2026
The Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board met on April 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Chair Scottie Richardson presided. Board members present: Kevin Kofchur, Andrea Hankins, Sal Tortorici, and Robert Gabaldon (online). Lisa Hardisty was excused. The board approved the consent calendar, then heard five public hearing items.
Consent Calendar
- Planning and Zoning Monthly Summary Plat Report – March 2026 – Approved.
- Planning and Zoning Monthly Building Activity Report – March 2026 – Approved.
Item 4: Preliminary Plat – Tampico Subdivision
Proposal: Tampico Development LLC seeks approval of a preliminary plat for 118 single-family residential lots and 10 tracts on 26.1689 acres. Primary access is from Batapa Road at Nogales; two other access points are emergency-only. Public Comments: Several nearby residents spoke in opposition, citing safety concerns: dangerous intersections (especially at 528 and Batapa), inadequate road infrastructure, dust from Nogales (a dirt road), increased traffic, and emergency access limitations. Some noted the board had previously recommended disapproval. Discussion: Staff recommended approval with conditions. Applicant stated they will improve Aurora and Batapa and meet all standards. Board members noted this is a preliminary stage and the developer must satisfy engineering requirements. Vote: Motion to approve passed 5-0 (Richardson, Kofchur, Gabaldon, Hankins, Tortorici).
Item 5: Preliminary Plat Extension – Broadmoor Hill Subdivision
Proposal: Request for a one-year extension of the previously approved preliminary plat for Broadmoor Hill, consisting of 56 lots and two tracts on 10.49 acres. Public Comments: None. Discussion: Commissioner Gabaldon recused himself due to a family property interest. Staff reported no significant changes in design standards require re-review. Applicant agreed to address conditions. Vote: Motion to approve passed 4-0 (Richardson, Kofchur, Hankins, Tortorici; Gabaldon recused).
Item 6: Conditional Use Permit – Boarding Kennel (Premier Pets Playground)
Proposal: Jessica Jennings requests a CUP for a boarding kennel at Arrowhead Ridge, Tract 12A, in a space previously used for a similar business. Public Comments: None. Discussion: Staff found the use compatible with the SU zone and surrounding uses. No significant site modifications are planned. Vote: Motion to approve passed 5-0 (Richardson, Kofchur, Gabaldon, Hankins, Tortorici).
Item 7: Variance – 529 9th Ave NE
Proposal: Amreston Homes, LLC requests a variance from the 60-foot minimum lot width for R-1 zoning to allow development on an existing 50.02-foot-wide lot. Public Comments: None. Discussion: Staff recommended approval due to the lot's irregular shape and the owner's inability to consolidate with adjacent lots. The overlay ordinance does not apply. Vote: Motion to approve passed 4-0 (Richardson, Kofchur, Gabaldon, Hankins; Tortorici had left).
Item 8: Appeal – Winegrower License (3546 Red Canyon Dr NE)
Proposal: Matthew Champlin appeals the city manager's decision that a winegrower license is not a permissive use at his residence. He proposes small-scale (300-800 gallons/year, max 1,000) artisan wine production with no on-site sales, tastings, or customer visits. He provided neighbor support letters. Public Comments: None. Discussion: Staff argued the activity does not fit listed home occupation categories due to manufacturing and storage. Applicant emphasized his compliance background and that state and federal approvals would follow. He offered to accept conditions limiting production and prohibiting on-site retail. Vote: Motion to approve (overturning the city manager's decision) passed 3-0 (Hankins, Kofchur, Richardson; Tortorici had left; Gabaldon did not vote).
Key Outcomes
- Approved two routine reports on consent calendar.
- Approved preliminary plat for Tampico Subdivision (5-0).
- Approved preliminary plat extension for Broadmoor Hill (4-0, one recusal).
- Approved conditional use permit for Premier Pets Playground (5-0).
- Approved variance for 529 9th Ave NE (4-0).
- Granted appeal for winegrower license, reversing city manager (3-0).
Meeting Transcript
Meeting for April the 14th. I asked everyone to please sound your all of your electronic devices while attendance planning and zoning board meeting. If you would please stand with me for pledges of allegiance. Okay, for the record, I will call the role by calling each plan and zone board members' name. Please acknowledge your presence by saying present. Kevin Kovcher. Present. Rob Agavadon. Present online. Andrea Hankins. Present. Mrs. Harshi is excused. Sarah Todorichi. Present. Okay. A couple of housekeeping items before we begin. In personal attendance, 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 a form, now's the time to do so and provide it to the recorder to my left. Virtual attendees, please send a chat message to the host or use a raise hand feature if you want to provide a public comment. If I want to recognize you to speak, you will have the ability to enable audio and video. Okay. Um next on the agenda is calendar, the consent calendar. Can I get a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Can I give a second? Second. Second. Call the roll. Chairman Richardson. Yes. Commissioner Kaufcher. Yes. Vice Chair Gabblan. Yes. Commissioner Hankins. Yes. Commissioner Torterici. Yes. Motion pass. Okay, thank you. Next in line on the agenda is the staff presentation reports and comments, which are Plan and Zoning Board Monthly Summary Plat Report dated for March 2026. And Plan and Zoning Board Monthly Building Activity Report dated March 2026. Okay. Mr. Chair, these are your standard reports. If you have any questions, we can answer any questions. Otherwise, this is a non-action item. Okay.
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