Planning board rejects subdivision text amendment after developer objections; DPM update postponed to July 22

The City of Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board on June 1 voted down a proposed text amendment to Chapter 155 of the Rio Rancho Code of Ordinances that would have updated subdivision standards, and later postponed consideration of the Development Process Manual (DPM) update to July 22 after extended public comment from developers and builders.

Michelle Castillo, planner with the City of Rio Rancho, presented the proposed text amendments, saying the changes would update Chapter 155 (Subdivisions) to reflect new terminology, clarify definitions, and align the subdivision code with provisions in the DPM. Castillo said proposed changes include renaming "open space" to "parks recreational," adding definitions for developed and undeveloped park area, reducing the acreage threshold for when a subdivision may pay payment-in-lieu of land dedication from 25 to 10 acres, and adding a half-mile, ADA-accessible walk requirement to the nearest park for all new subdivisions. "SOP recommends that the planning and zoning board recommend approval to the governing body subject to the following findings of fact," Castillo said.

The proposed changes drew immediate and repeated opposition from local developers…