Board approves Stonegate master plan and land‑use changes to add mixed‑use village and higher‑density housing

The Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board approved concurrent amendments to the Lomas Negras Specific Area Plan, the Stonegate master plan and a zone map amendment that together create a new Stonegate Village special‑use zone permitting neighborhood commercial (NC), R3 mixed residential and R6 multifamily residential uses on two tracts (tracks 3 and 5).

City planner Liz Ruiz Carlos presented the three items together and said the proposals cover approximately 27.77 acres and would amend the Lomas Negras land use map from medium‑density residential to mixed‑use and amend the Stonegate master plan to reflect updated drainage, transportation and design guidelines. Staff recommended the board find the changes consistent with the comprehensive plan and the Lomas Negras Specific Area Plan and to recommend approval to the governing body with findings and conditions.

Charlene Johnson of Consensus Planning, representing the applicant (identified in the packet as Cold Bank Holdings / Cole Bank Ltd.), presented the applicant’s vision for “Stonegate Village,” describing multifamily buildings and townhouses bisected by Leeds Castle Drive, neighborhood commercial plazas, village greens and streetscape features such as 8‑foot sidewalks, street trees, shared bike lanes and traffic calming. Johnson said the design guidelines allow ground‑floor commercial in some multifamily buildings and provide walkable plazas intended to serve both Stonegate Village residents and nearby neighborhoods. She also introduced project team members present online, including Jim Strozier and Justin Simonson.

Board members asked questions about connectivity (Leeds Castle’s connection to Broadmoor and multi‑use trails) and market support for neighborhood commercial. Johnson and the applicant’s representatives said the design anticipates connections to adjacent trails and streets and that Collector and arterial connections would support the neighborhood commercial. One commissioner expressed support for the concept and interest in seeing the project advance quickly; another commissioner asked whether commercial signage/access would attract nonresident customers.

The board voted to recommend approval of the specific area plan amendment, the Stonegate master plan amendment and the zone map amendment. The roll calls recorded unanimous yes votes among members present.

Action and vote: Motions to recommend approval of the specific area plan amendment (item 6), the master plan amendment (item 7), and the zone map amendment (item 8) passed on roll call with the following recorded yes votes on the respective items: Commissioners Hardesty, Hankins, Koster, Gabaldon, Vice Chair Connie Richardson and Chairman Rodosovich (all yes). No public opposition spoke during the hearings on these items.

Details and context: Staff said the amendments would allow more varied housing types and a small‑scale neighborhood commercial core (Stonegate Village) near existing and proposed residential phases. The Stonegate master plan area was originally adopted in 2011 and currently comprises about 49.7 acres; the master plan amendment updates graphics, phasing and infrastructure diagrams and adds design guidelines for the proposed special‑use area.

Next steps: The board’s recommendations and findings will be forwarded to the governing body for final action. The staff contact for these items was Liz Ruiz Carlos.