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Papillon master plan amendment denied; related zone map amendment for applicant‑owned parcels approved
Summary
Rio Rancho’s Planning and Zoning Board denied an amendment to the Papillon master plan on July 8 but approved a zone map amendment limited to the parcels owned by AMREP Southwest Inc., after debate over ownership of parcels and outstanding drainage and infrastructure questions.
The Planning and Zoning Board on July 8 voted separately on a proposed expansion of the Papillon master plan and an associated zone map amendment. The board denied the master plan amendment (Item 10) but approved a related zone map amendment (Item 11) limited to parcels the applicant owns.
Liz Ruiz Carlos, city planner, told the board staff recommended denial of the master plan amendment and the zone map amendment because the applicant did not own all parcels inside the proposed expanded boundary and because the proposed zoning changes would create "checkerboard" or non‑uniform development. The staff report also noted the City comprehensive plan’s guidance that transitional (TZ) zoning should remain until long‑term land‑use policies are decided.
Jim Strozier of Consensus Planning, presenting for applicant AMREP Southwest, said the applicant believes the expansion is consistent with the city's comprehensive‑plan goals and said the applicant controls a majority of the acreage (he stated ownership above a 75% threshold that he said staff had discussed in earlier communications). The applicant also described design changes to address arroyo and drainage issues, and said it had been working with city departments and SCAFCA on drainage approaches.
Multiple Mariposa area residents and the Mariposa Neighborhood Association president urged denial until SCAFCA (regional flood control) signs off on drainage and until the applicant and the city resolve who pays for infrastructure. Eric Gregory and Pat Jilick, president of the Mariposa Neighborhood Association, asked that SCAFCA drainage approval be obtained before any master‑plan action.
When the board voted, the master plan amendment failed on roll call. On the subsequent zone map amendment for parcels the applicant controls, the board recorded a majority in favor and approved the zoning changes for the portions of the area owned by the applicant; commissioners recorded differing votes with two commissioners voting no on the zone map amendment while the rest voted yes. Staff advised that approvals limited to owned parcels may still require development agreements, drainage approvals and utility arrangements before building could proceed.
The board’s action splits the package: the master plan expansion was not adopted, but the applicant gained zoning changes for properties it owns. Staff and the applicant said coordination with SCAFCA and detailed engineering remains required before any new construction.
