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Rio Rancho council rejects rezoning request for Paseo Gateway West, citing missing master plan
Summary
The council voted unanimously to deny O‑28, a zone map amendment that would have changed parts of Paseo Gateway West from TZ/R3 to R4. Staff and the planning board had recommended denial because a master plan was not in place and multiple councilors raised concerns about infrastructure, ownership of holdout lots and parkland.
Rio Rancho's governing body voted against Ordinance O‑28, a request to reclassify multiple parcels within the Paseo Gateway West area from TZ and R3 to R4 single‑family residential.
Director of Development Services Amy Rincon described the ordinance and recounted its history: the item failed previously at a council meeting on Aug. 14 and PZB (planning and zoning board) subsequently recommended denial (0–5). Applicant Nikosha Shuttlebauer, representing Bonita Development, explained the project's two‑to‑five phase concept and said the developer submitted a conceptual master plan and has committed to park dedication and bonding to guarantee delivery of open space. Shuttlebauer said parkland dedication would meet or exceed code requirements if the entire build‑out occurs and outlined phased ownership and contract status for holdout lots.
Council debate focused on the absence of a final master plan, traffic and access near Shiloh Elementary, ownership of parcels needed for later phases, and how parkland would be provided if phases were delayed. Councilors repeatedly asked whether a master plan could be submitted as a condition; staff advised that rezoning, once adopted, becomes effective and cannot be conditioned in some respects the way a planned residential development (S‑U) can be.
After questions and public comment, the council voted by roll call and O‑28 failed: all council members recorded No votes. The motion to approve was introduced and seconded but did not attain a majority. The applicant was encouraged to return with additional documentation addressing ownership and a formal master plan.
What comes next: the applicant may refile a zone map amendment accompanied by a master plan or pursue the master plan as a subsequent application; staff highlighted that alternative design or ownership configurations are possible to address holdout lots and ensure required infrastructure and parks.
