Rio Rancho expands Lomas and Contadas master plan, rezones northwest corner to R-4

The Rio Rancho governing body approved a resolution to amend the Lomas and Contadas master plan and a companion zone‑map amendment to rezone an expanded northwest portion of the plan area from R‑1 to R‑4.

The proposal, presented to the council as item R‑55 (master plan amendment) and O‑15 (zone map amendment), expands the plan boundary in the area northwest of Paseo and Contadas and would increase the master plan’s estimated maximum housing units to about 2,330. Planning staff said the change is focused on the northern area of the master plan and is intended to add parcels to the plan area and to change zoning in that new area from R‑1 to R‑4.

The amendment was heard by the Planning and Zoning Board on April 22, which recommended approval, and city staff stated they worked with the applicant to limit the expansion to the northwest corner. Director of Development Services (presenting) described maps showing the current boundary and the proposed expansion and said staff produced a side‑by‑side of document edits for the governing body.

Councilors asked whether the existing buffer between the new development and the Enchanted Hills subdivision would remain. Councilor Tyler and Councilor Weimer sought assurance that a minimum 100‑foot open‑space buffer along the R‑1 edge would be preserved. Michael Wright, agent for Consensus Planning, confirmed the buffers would remain and in some places were increased to maintain separation. A representative for the applicant, identified as Bridal Ottergon with Lomas and Palace Development, told the council the developer had not attempted to reduce the 100‑foot buffer and that the R‑1 zoning on the northeast side of Camino and Contadas would remain unchanged.

The council approved R‑55 and O‑15 by roll call. No members of the public signed up to speak on either item during the public hearing; the applicant was present for questions and confirmed the buffer and zoning details.

What changed: the master plan boundary was expanded to the northwest portion of the Lomas and Contadas area, and zoning for the newly included parcels was changed from R‑1 to R‑4. What did not change: the 100‑foot buffer and the R‑1 zoning adjacent to the existing Enchanted Hills subdivision were retained, per the applicant and staff.

The approvals move the plan and zone change forward for implementation in the city’s zoning map and development review processes. Any future changes to the buffered area or to items within the approved boundary would require separate applications to the city.