Planning board approves 118‑lot Tampico preliminary plat despite neighborhood safety concerns

The City of Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board voted April 14 to approve a preliminary plat for the Tampico subdivision, a proposed 118‑lot, R4 single‑family development located between Idalia and Batapa Roads east of Aurora Road and west of New Mexico Highway 528. Staff recommended approval with findings and conditions, and the board called the roll and passed the motion.

The board heard a lengthy public comment period in which nearby residents raised safety, dust and drainage concerns. "It's unsafe for the kids that run on it on those roads," Pedro Vargas said, urging the board to reconsider using Batapa/Nogales as the primary exit. William Vorce told the board Nogales is a dirt road that produces dust and that additional traffic will feed onto Pasea and NM 528 at an intersection he described as already dangerous and…