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Planning board backs 40.8-acre Lomas Encantadas expansion, recommends R-4 rezoning
Summary
The Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board voted to recommend approval of a 40.77-acre expansion to the Lomas Encantadas master plan and a companion rezoning from R-1 to R-4 for the expansion area, increasing dedicated open space and adding medium-density single-family lots.
The Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board voted to recommend approval of a 40.77-acre expansion to the Lomas Encantadas master plan and a zone map amendment to reclassify the expansion area from R-1 to R-4 single-family residential.
Staff planner Tim Dvorak told the board the proposed expansion would increase the master plan boundary from about 875 acres to roughly 890.9 acres, add roughly 7 acres to the master-plan-designated open space (increasing open space from about 150 to 157 acres) and create 65 additional lots in the expansion area. Dvorak said staff finds the amendment advances comprehensive-plan goals by addressing antiquated platted lots and increasing housing opportunities within existing service areas.
Consensus Planning principal Jim Strozier, representing AMREP Southwest, said the expansion and rezoning would align the northern portion of the master plan with existing patterns of development on the west side of Camino Encantadas. “We think this is right sized in terms of lot sizes and density,” Strozier said.
The proposal includes updated drainage exhibits and additional stormwater-quality and park acreage; staff said engineering review updated the drainage information and that the expansion would not be incorporated into the community’s existing development agreement. The board also noted a 100-foot minimum buffer retained between Track 13 and Enchanted Hills Unit 4; staff said the buffer increases previously planned acreage in that area and preserves the planned open-space network.
After the presentations and two recorded public comments that were entered into the record, the board voted to recommend approval of both the master plan amendment and the zone map amendment to the governing body. The motion to recommend the master plan amendment passed on roll call (Commissioner Tortorici: Yes; Chairman Rodosovich: Yes; Commissioner Gabaldon: Yes; Commissioner Hankins: Yes; Commissioner Kocher: Yes). The subsequent motion on the zone map amendment (R-1 to R-4 for the expansion lots) also passed by the same roll-call votes.
The applicants said engineering work on stormwater and coordination with regional drainage planning (SCAFGA) informed the updated pond and trail layout in the submission. The board’s recommendation sends the master plan and rezoning to the governing body for final action.
The planning documents attached to the agenda identify the expansion as 40.77 acres of new master-plan boundary and show 65 new lots; the staff report notes that 15 of those 65 lots are not owned by the applicant and therefore are not subject to an owner-initiated summary plat at this time.
If the governing body approves the recommendations, the master plan and zoning designations will be updated consistent with the board’s findings and the exhibits presented to the board.
