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Board approves second permanent sign for Defined Pickleball at Hilltop Plaza
Summary
The planning board approved a variance allowing a second permanent illuminated sign for Defined Pickleball at Hilltop Plaza (1640 NM‑528 SE); staff recommended approval with conditions and the applicant said the second sign is structurally a canopy sign and no additional variance would be necessary for the parapet placement.
The Rio Rancho Planning & Zoning Board voted to approve a variance allowing Defined Pickleball to install a second permanent illuminated sign at Hilltop Plaza, 1640 New Mexico 528 SE.
Tim Dvorak, planner with the city of Rio Rancho, explained the application and the sign code constraints. He said the applicant applied for two permanent illuminated signs; one sign was already approved by zoning and the second was categorized as a structural canopy sign and therefore limited by the same ordinance provisions. Dvorak noted the total proposed signage would be about 198.1 square feet (134 sq ft for the upper sign and 64.1 sq ft for the lower sign) and referenced prior precedent for a similar request approved for Defined Fitness in January 2023.
Maria Gonzales, representing contractor EP and M Inc./Zeon Signs, described the second sign’s placement and asked whether parapet placement would require a separate submission. City staff clarified that the variance to allow the additional sign would permit that specific structural canopy sign and that a separate submission would not be necessary for the sign already classified as approvable as presented.
Owner John McGarigle spoke in support, saying the tenant improved the center and encouraged approval. "They rescued Hilltop Plaza," McGarigle told the board, urging approval of the signage needed for the business to operate.
After brief discussion the board moved to approve the variance with findings and conditions recommended by staff. Sharon conducted the roll call and the motion passed.
The approval permits the second sign as presented; final building permit review and any required conditions from the variance will be handled through building‑permit and sign‑plan review.
