Los Ranchos Planning Commission closes sketch reviews of Village Center after residents press parking, traffic and process concerns

The Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 8 held sketch-plat and sketch site-development reviews for the proposed Village Center at 310–350 Osuna Road NW, the multi-phase project presented by Palindrome Communities LLC. The hearing followed a court order that set aside prior approvals and required the developer to restart the public-review process.

At the outset, Director Hill and the village attorney explained that sketch reviews are conceptual: no final approvals or building permits are issued at this stage and staff will return to the commission with detailed preliminary plans later. Jim Stroer, principal with Consensus Planning, participated remotely and Weston Glass presented in person, describing a replat that would convert 13 lots into six legal parcels (called “tracks”), reflecting six development phases and creating utility easements to serve each phase. "The plat that's before you is to replat this property from 13 lots into six," Stroer said, and Glass explained the six tracks correspond to the project's phasing and financing.

Public commenters voiced repeated concerns. Tom Donellan urged an open hearing that fully considers changes made after construction; Camille Vados asked how large-scale housing on the parcel would affect nearby neighborhoods and truck traffic on Aliso Road; and other residents objected that the project has shifted toward more residential use than they expected. "This has been promised to us…