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Sandoval County commission approves rezoning of 521.6-acre Section 36 to general industrial
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously June 10 to reassign zoning for a 521.556-acre state‑land parcel known as Section 36 in the Rio Rancho Estates Community District from 'no zone' to General Industrial I‑1 to facilitate economic development under a state economic development lease.
The Sandoval County Planning and Zoning Commission on June 10 approved a zone map assignment changing a 521.556-acre parcel known as Section 36 in the Rio Rancho Estates Community District from “no zone” to General Industrial I‑1.
The change, ZNCH25‑002, was requested by the county’s Economic Development Department to align the parcel with an existing economic development lease the county holds with the State Land Office. Dora Dominguez, Sandoval County director of economic development and tourism, told the commission the assignment is intended to make the site marketable to industrial users and to shorten entitlement timelines. “Having Section 36 under an economic development lease with all land entitlements in place will only aid Sandoval County’s economic development efforts and condense the times in which it takes to bring projects, and to market it,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez said the county has held the economic development lease on Section 36 for about eight years and that the State Land Office supports using trust lands for community and economic development. She also said state staff and commercial site selectors have referenced the parcel’s current “no zone” label as a marketing impediment.
Commissioners asked about existing and planned road access. Staff explained that King Boulevard forms the parcel’s northern edge and that planned extensions of Unser Boulevard and other connections would tie into the parcel’s southern edge. Dominguez said the county is also considering an economic development lease for the adjacent Section 32, which currently carries a grazing lease.
A motion to approve ZNCH25‑002 as recommended by Planning and Zoning staff passed on a roll call vote: Commissioner Rodriguez — yes; Commissioner Brown — yes; Commissioner Maduena — yes; Commissioner Simpson — yes. The motion did not specify additional amendments to the staff recommendation during the hearing.
The change applies the I‑1 district designation to Section 36 to facilitate commercial/industrial development; Dominguez and staff emphasized the county’s intent is industrial and commercial use rather than housing. The record shows the county will continue coordinating with the State Land Office and regional economic development partners as the site is marketed.
The commission moved on after the vote; no appeals or further conditions were recorded in the transcript of this meeting.
