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Council approves Northern–Rainbow area plan expansion; staff and applicants outline driveway consolidation and access plans
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Summary
Council approved Resolution R‑133 to expand the Northern–Rainbow specific area plan boundary from about 236 to 285 acres and update land‑use designations; applicants and staff said the amendment will allow consolidation of driveways and future subdivision design to reduce curb cuts on Rainbow Boulevard.
The Rio Rancho City Council approved Resolution R‑133 to amend the Northern–Rainbow specific area plan, expanding the plan boundary and updating land‑use maps and statistics.
Director Amy Rincon told the council the amendment would expand the plan from roughly 236 acres to about 285 acres and would change some corridors from commercial/industrial into combinations of commercial and higher‑density residential in the middle blocks, with drainage and parkland to the west.
Applicant representatives from AMRAP Southwest and Consensus Planning (Brian Aragon and Michael Wright) were present to answer questions. They said existing property owners within the expansion area would not suffer negative impacts but instead could see increased amenities, infrastructure and market activity. The project team said inclusion in the specific area plan creates an opportunity to configure subdivisions that consolidate curb cuts and reduce direct driveway access onto Rainbow Boulevard as the corridor is expanded and dedicated right‑of‑way is provided.
Councilors asked how existing lots that front Rainbow would be served; staff and the applicant explained the amendment allows later replatting and right‑of‑way dedication so that the number of curb cuts can be reduced when the corridor is improved and widened to planned dimensions. The planning‑and‑zoning board recommended approval on Oct. 28.
The council took a roll‑call vote and approved R‑133. The council also approved O‑27 (second reading), an update to Chapter 155 (the subdivision ordinance).
