Council approves 156-unit apartment site plan; pond will be gated and fenced

Rio Rancho’s governing body approved a site plan for a 156-unit apartment complex located between Rosarito and Walsh just south of Southern Boulevard.

Amy Rincon, director of Development Services, briefed the council on the application and noted staff did not see an issue with the 156-unit plan. Rincon described the lot as roughly “5.99” acres and explained that earlier platting and rounding accounted for the slight difference from a full 6 acres.

Scott Anderson, the project agent and architect, told the council the development will be gated and that the retention/stormwater pond will be secured. Anderson said, “we are enclosing that retention pond. First off, to get into the community, it’s gated around the perimeter... and then within the pond itself, we have security fencing around that retention pond as well, to prevent... kids getting involved and pets.”

Councilors asked about safety and access where a large church sits across the street; staff and the agent said controlled vehicular and pedestrian access will prevent outside entry to the pond. The Planning and Zoning Board previously reviewed and recommended the plan; the council voted to approve D47 unanimously.

Why it matters: the approval clears the way for a 156-unit residential development at a location councilors flagged for potential traffic and neighborhood impacts; staff highlighted prior conditions (lighting, buffering) were incorporated into the current plan.

What’s next: the developer will move forward with the approved site plan and subsequent permitting and construction steps.