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Planning commission grants modest FAR variance for Tomori Family property at 720 Mullen Road NW
Summary
The Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Planning & Zoning Commission approved a 631-square-foot variance to the floor-area-ratio for a proposed renovation and addition at 720 Mullen Road NW, allowing 5,826 square feet of buildings on a 0.576-acre A-1 lot. The decision was based on staff findings and a narrow 2.3% FAR increase.
The Planning & Zoning Commission on Aug. 12 approved V-25-03, granting a variance of 631 square feet to the village’s floor-area-ratio limit so the Tomori Family Trust can build a total of 5,826 square feet at 720 Mullen Road Northwest.
Staff planning presenter Mr. Williams told the commission the property is zoned A-1 agricultural residential and contains about 0.576 acres. He said the parcel’s size reflects a 1986 cluster-housing allowance (Ordinance No. 58) and that the applicants’ proposal would result in a 2.3% exceedance of the current FAR limit. Williams recommended approval, citing the three statutory variance criteria: consistency with the master plan and neighborhood character, and unnecessary hardship related to the lot’s physical configuration.
Agent Walter Gill of Modulous Design described the project as a renovation and addition intended to support multigenerational family living. “We are right at 23 and we are at 23,” Gill said when describing the calculation that led to the 2.3% FAR exceedance; he added the site plan includes permeability calculations and that landscaping and pool areas are proposed but subject to later technical approvals.
Owner representative Ola Dapo Tomori underscored the sequencing of approvals: the property owner would not advance additional design costs until the variance is resolved. “There are not going to be any additions to [the master plan] until the variance goes through,” Tomori said.
Commissioner Baldwin moved to approve the variance based on the staff report; Commissioner Barrow seconded. The roll-call vote recorded Barrow yes, Martinez yes, Edwards absent, Baldwin yes, Taglia Petra no, Haywood yes and Homan yes. The motion carried and the hearing was closed.
The commission’s approval applies only to the FAR variance; Williams and the applicant noted further approvals would be required if the project proceeds (conditional-use review for a guest house, building permits, county inspections).
