Planning commission recommends approval of lot-line adjustment that reduces open space in Rincones Delos Rancho

The Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque voted March 11 to recommend approval of SDP2501/SU0604, a site-development-plan amendment that would shift the lot line between Tract E (designated open space) and Lot 8 in the Rincones Delos Rancho subdivision.

Director Williams told the commission the amendment would reduce Tract E from roughly 11,199 square feet to about 6,610 square feet (a 4,889-square-foot change) and would lower the subdivision's open-space share from about 21% of the subdivision's 5.21 acres to roughly 18%. "Because of that, the department is recommending that the commission provide the Board of Trustees with a recommendation of approval for the proposed amendment," Williams said.

James Griffin, the applicant and a resident of the subdivision, said the change is a narrow, roughly 20-foot adjustment intended to align the legal lot line with an area that residents have long assumed and maintained as part of Lot 8. "It's moving this lot line 20 feet this way is all we're doing," Griffin said, and he offered photos and a drawing into the record to show existing landscaping and the small red area in dispute.

Neighbors offered mixed testimony. Tracy Hunter, Laurie DuBois and Elvira Gonzalez spoke in support of Griffin, saying the applicant maintains his property and intends to landscape the small parcel. In contrast, Camille (recorded variously as Fados/Varos/Barros) questioned whether the homeowners association was formally established and warned against creating a precedent that would allow future reductions of approved open space without clear HOA authority.

Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on two central points: whether the village code prescribes a required open-space percentage for this type of special-use permit and whether any condition could keep the newly acquired 20-foot strip as landscape rather than buildable lot area. Williams said special-use permit processes afford discretion and that the original 2006 approvals contained no prescriptive square-foot or percentage requirements for the subdivision's open space.

Attorney Patrick Trujillo, serving as counsel for the meeting, described staff's technical assessment as finding the change "de minimis," and commissioners debated whether to attach a condition restricting development on the added area. Applicant Griffin said he would not build a structure into that strip and that it was his intention to maintain it as landscaped area, but he expressed reservations about accepting a perpetual restriction on his lot.

Commissioner Gwen Baldwin highlighted the village's commitment to open space in questioning whether approving the amendment would undercut long-term expectations. "Open space is a very dear issue, to the village, and to residents throughout the village," Baldwin said. Other commissioners noted the subdivision's remaining open-space percentage would still exceed the village's typical commercial landscaping averages and that the village's code provided limited, discretionary tools to condition a recommendation.

After discussion the commission voted in roll call to recommend approval of SDP2501/SU0604. The roll call indicated the following votes: Commissioner Martinez: yes; Commissioner Edward: yes; Commissioner Baldwin: yes; Commissioner Haywood: yes; Commissioner Taglia Petra: recused; Commissioner Homan: yes. The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees, which holds final decision authority under the village code.

The hearing record for SDP2501 will include the applicant's drawing and photos entered during the meeting; staff noted that the subsequent lot-line change would then follow the established subdivision/platting process with Bernalillo County records updated after Board action. The commission closed the hearing and moved on to other business.