[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6578900,"mediaKeyId","3124616-4e3c9c8e7cc98d2f68de98059198b6cd","parentId",3124616,"title","Votes at a glance: Council approves master plans, election ordinance and emergency communications center contract","audioSeconds",2215,"startMs",750000,"endMs",2965000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124616-4e3c9c8e7cc98d2f68de98059198b6cd&start=750&end=2965","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124616-4e3c9c8e7cc98d2f68de98059198b6cd/thumbnail_750000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6578900/Rio-Rancho/Sandoval-County/New-Mexico/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-approves-master-plans-election-ordinance-and-emergency-communications-center-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578900-da62347c7744028648918e31437ef097/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010498&Signature=LyD6KzydYIXZD4TfbLLPTa-LV5dkrUEyfvxMSA8TBXTCPH-ZnvaHRVGo6JhV3dVzOHCjh6C4gKyi3KAQnFym2uB9aHPeKf55nq0ZNjaNS2DBkii8gkwFwsoP80ki6AWRsgGqwg38zHiKbiU18XzG2rnOIjdi7WoLjuG7wtAF-bV6BDY7ZamNMRd2FsNU2HZTCb8OBI~-ivyMzzW4GsBMfCoVBsK6gbowd2aSweKRFHn9nJ1YEDQN~7nYbb~GNXLOWNst5fMikp4bNGipkdqNtO3UXLhc1mzh2mFQ9hULnalRMU-PFvov-lQgICxWUnz4-1w8vaHqjDPvIegANXIKlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rio Rancho","date","2025-04-24T18:00:00Z","article","The Rio Rancho governing body recorded votes on a range of items at the meeting. Key outcomes:

• Consent calendar — Approved. The consent calendar included the donation of a vehicle to Rio Rancho Public Schools to support their career and technical education program; the school program advisor (Mr. Booker) was present and staff described multi‑year student participation and national competition attendance supported by the program.

• R‑42 / O‑11 — Approved. Resolution adopting the Vista Grande master plan and the associated zoning map amendment for a portion of the plan area near Unser and Northern (see separate article for details).

• R‑43 / R‑44 / O‑12 — Approved. Resolutions and ordinance amending the Lomas Negras specific area plan and the Stonegate master plan and a related zone map amendment to allow mixed‑use, multifamily and commercial development in the Stonegate area; the package also clarified park maintenance (smaller parks HOA‑maintained; regional park dedicated to the city).

• O‑13 — Approved (first reading). Ordinance opting the city into the regular local election schedule (November of odd‑numbered years), extending affected terms so elections align with the November schedule, and shifting administration of those elections to the Sandoval County Clerk. Staff estimated a $450,000 reduction in election costs for 2026 by making the change. State law allows municipalities to opt back out after two cycles.

• R‑45 — Approved. Resolution establishing the governing body’s annual meeting schedule and notice provisions (regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays at 6 p.m., with month‑specific exceptions noted in the resolution).

• D‑23 — Approved. The council gave advice and consent to award a construction contract to All Right Construction Inc. for improvements to the emergency communications center, including added workspace for administrative staff and a dry fire‑suppression system in the radio room. Staff said the project will not affect 911 service during construction.

All votes were recorded on roll call where required; the council approved each item as presented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rio Rancho - Governing Body Regular Meeting - Apr 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Rio Rancho governing body recorded votes on multiple items including master plan adoptions, an election ordinance and a contract for emergency communications center improvements.","taxTitle","Rio Rancho, Sandoval County, New Mexico","taxId",2726,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578904,"Council approves Stonegate and Lomas Negras plan amendments to allow mixed‑use, multifamily and a regional park",805,1240000,2045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124616-4e3c9c8e7cc98d2f68de98059198b6cd&start=1240&end=2045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124616-4e3c9c8e7cc98d2f68de98059198b6cd/thumbnail_1240000.jpg","/articles/6578904/Rio-Rancho/Sandoval-County/New-Mexico/Council-approves-Stonegate-and-Lomas-Negras-plan-amendments-to-allow-mixeduse-multifamily-and-a-regional-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578904-82cdeae454a67d6a39e1b467d3c27e86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010498&Signature=D10yHd8Xvm4kZn865VU9N0HYqh476yGAqP0RCbHu6oLMl~LmcZ8~oCf1nH4QtnDzq63p4AEcQ7mUp7Ifl6YhMnHnDq0YUXc0WJ9SB1kHlnpgZdm4Fchs5GKS6FodWK~IcvFU3oxjbCvR31QN4nQpzwzlheOJUfbvw4POZAQufgDDVSheHOavJKKMtncVFYVQebHhrTbue7mJeOLzIR5fOJK7KySyA~UyK~-7eJwJvFdoDXI29tdQTykJYjKSLdpK2c6jfyVrTStEWypK7kd3SLAgx99M4~6rvraDOr4btFr9TqZQepGvEnI4SGeYhORijFhpSeCWvSS8H8snYURRRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The governing body voted to approve a package of land‑use changes affecting the Stonegate area, including amendments to the Lomas Negras specific area plan and the Stonegate master plan and an associated zone map amendment.

Amy Rincon, director of development services, presented the three items together and said they were reviewed and recommended for approval by the Planning & Zoning Board on March 25. The changes reconfigure allowable uses within the Stonegate Village area to include townhomes, multifamily apartments and commercial space and rezoned parcels to permit higher-density residential and mixed‑use development.

Charlene Johnson of Consensus Planning, agent for Cold Bank Holdings (the property owner and applicant), and engineer Justin Simonson answered council questions about phasing and infrastructure. Simonson said the large park area includes a regional stormwater pond with design work nearing submission; the pond/park is tied to phase 3 and the applicant planned to submit park drawings to the city’s parks department in the coming month.

Councilors asked about who will maintain the parks. The applicant and engineer said smaller neighborhood parks and village greens will be maintained by homeowners associations, while the larger regional park will be dedicated to and maintained by the city. Simonson described the deeper portion of the pond as fenced and Skafka‑maintained (as presented), and said the regional pond is being reviewed to ensure capacity for the original design.

R‑43, R‑44 and O‑12 were approved on council votes following the staff presentation and applicant responses.","The council approved R‑43 and R‑44 (amendments to the Lomas Negras specific area plan and Stonegate master plan) and O‑12 (a zone map amendment), clearing the way for mixed‑use and multifamily development, and confirming that smaller parks will be HOA‑maintained while a larger regional park will be dedicated to the city.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578909,"Council adopts Vista Grande master plan and zoning amendment near Unser and Northern",270,920000,1190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124616-4e3c9c8e7cc98d2f68de98059198b6cd&start=920&end=1190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124616-4e3c9c8e7cc98d2f68de98059198b6cd/thumbnail_920000.jpg","/articles/6578909/Rio-Rancho/Sandoval-County/New-Mexico/Council-adopts-Vista-Grande-master-plan-and-zoning-amendment-near-Unser-and-Northern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578909-2eeb77f65f52061d46e50e516b975d60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010498&Signature=Rhmjgiu2tmvHCfiyWLuTd5-YkT4nsd0N9Qs5g5UNJKY2mNuHLzOl5EwNnTWi-ZuxQoeitmzYECtiKdGgIbcl3HjwVFiL4CppBQW7fYrlr93gflsDBYAqP~AtR17r4A7giLRJUNcZQjnHQPHEg9z7qmG1nNKQyYxSHhYt9LGflK6WrQXXhjnqlYHRnuwODaRcRKvn2NzF92KopcZG7E4EaLUSlPe~7n3td6ma1oFPlAfBSn71Pb~hB3UtCAgDaM-9FMQiAXVOSATB8USgQKLoADrk~UGeT1hpQ4QQJFRWK-FZV7D-L8aDjHPJ7z7dO3h6JQdj66cY~quUhUszIfQYIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rio Rancho’s governing body voted to adopt the Vista Grande master plan (R‑42) and to approve the associated zoning map amendment (O‑11) covering a site near Unser and Northern that will be developed in multiple phases.

Amy Rincon, director of development services, presented the master plan and said the project is divided into three phases; phase 1 is built out, phase 2 is under construction, and phase 3 occupies the northern corner of the plan area. The zoning request debated at the meeting would apply to portions of those later phases.

Planning and Zoning considered the proposal on March 25 and recommended approval; Michael Wright of Consensus Planning appeared in person and said the applicant and associated consultants were available to answer questions. Councilors asked a small number of clarifying questions during the public presentation. Councilor Weimer noted that the master plan’s residential design guidance encourages stone accents but the model homes shown did not include them; Wright said the applicant intends to add additional theming and architectural features in phases 2 and 3 and would consider removing language if it proved unnecessary.

The council approved R‑42 and then O‑11 by roll-call vote.

The amendments set up future higher-density residential development in the project area and allow the applicant to proceed with the zone changes required for planned home construction and associated infrastructure.","The governing body approved Resolution R‑42 and Ordinance O‑11 to adopt the Vista Grande master plan and amend zoning for a portion of the plan area; the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval and the applicant was represented by Consensus Planning.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578915,"Rio Rancho council approves ordinance to shift municipal elections into November regular local cycle",550,2160000,2710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124616-4e3c9c8e7cc98d2f68de98059198b6cd&start=2160&end=2710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124616-4e3c9c8e7cc98d2f68de98059198b6cd/thumbnail_2160000.jpg","/articles/6578915/Rio-Rancho/Sandoval-County/New-Mexico/Rio-Rancho-council-approves-ordinance-to-shift-municipal-elections-into-November-regular-local-cycle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578915-4861b594e78174d2b39094176f8e80bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010498&Signature=XHIZpOS7TweLAI2Nm5OdzV6u-k8AYUrAJf9IvkiTBP5CLc2WNV0yhYAwXwpFId~qhWeJ13inYC-prdqlsBNPZkCAIlwK6qaSWvfST9zO0nPoXeMaRjy8Txi-Or134WTQ56gO6PgmMzjGGoBM2cJMRPizkAYyZO8toh28t7nZOy2e11Kfcb1dbQLaIp-ycFVxPOKGW~DgvXjnZpV57ADXLSMWLpatTaKThH0STp58yw6hmLo~h~punpOF5jg5rBruYOcPPacTYMNQZ52mVZq4BUYFyfzj7DFoCseaGdF1Pzg-hMiW1t3Mys-0NzMm3qGTHSYTaz17rNdcj2dq-oJPew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Rio Rancho’s governing body voted to adopt Ordinance O‑13, opting the city into New Mexico’s regular local election schedule held in November of odd-numbered years and adjusting municipal terms to align with that calendar.

City staff said the change is intended to reduce the cost and administrative burden of running a separate municipal election in March of even-numbered years. Peter Wells, deputy city manager, told the council that 97 of New Mexico’s 106 municipalities already participate in the regular local election and that Rio Rancho’s estimated cost to hold a March 2026 municipal election would be about $450,000. \"By opting into the regular local election … the city can save $450,000 in election costs in 2026 as well as future years,\" Wells said in his presentation.

Wells said the higher costs reflect statewide changes in election requirements since 2018 — for example, an increase in required in‑person voting sites — and that the proposed change would make future municipal elections the responsibility of the Sandoval County Clerk rather than the city clerk’s office. He said the ordinance would extend affected officials’ terms so their next elections align with the November schedule rather than shortening them, and that campaign finance reporting and other local responsibilities would remain with the city clerk’s office.

Councilors discussed turnout, voter fatigue and administrative impacts. Councilor Weimer said he supports the change for the likely cost savings and because it could increase turnout, though he affirmed a continued preference for local control of voter identification rules. \"I think the cost savings that we will see … is not going to go down,\" Weimer said, adding that the extension of terms is preferable to shortening them because it gives potential candidates time to prepare campaigns.

Councilor Dabson (references in the meeting transcript alternate spellings) said consolidating elections could reduce voter fatigue from near‑annual voting. Councilor Culbreth asked whether the $450,000 estimate accounted for city clerk staff time; Wells said that amount covers temporary election personnel, voting systems and site rentals, and does not include the time of existing city clerk staff, though he said freeing clerk staff from election operations would allow them to focus on other duties.

Wells also told the governing body that state law allows municipalities to opt back out after two election cycles (four years) if they choose, giving the city a trial period for the new schedule. The ordinance passed on the council’s roll-call vote.","The governing body approved first reading of Ordinance O‑13 to opt city elections into the statewide regular local election schedule in November of odd-numbered years, citing an estimated $450,000 savings for the 2026 cycle and a two-cycle opt‑out option under state law.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Council approves master plans, election ordinance and emergency communications center contract

Council approves Stonegate and Lomas Negras plan amendments to allow mixed‑use, multifamily and a regional park

Council adopts Vista Grande master plan and zoning amendment near Unser and Northern

Rio Rancho council approves ordinance to shift municipal elections into November regular local cycle