Planning panel recommends approval of 16‑lot subdivision at 6535 Guadalupe Trail; grants 90‑day recording extension

The Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously June 17 to recommend approval of final plat S‑23‑05, a proposal to subdivide 9.2682 acres at 6535 Guadalupe Trail Northwest into 16 lots, and to grant the developer a 90‑day extension to record the plat while obtaining county and utility sign‑offs.

The commission’s motion to recommend approval, made by Commissioner Baldwin, found that the application met the technical criteria in the village subdivision ordinance. The vote was a roll‑call, with Commissioner Haywood, Commissioner Edward, Commissioner Tagle Petra, Commissioner Barrow, Commissioner Baldwin, Commissioner Martinez and Chair Homeman all voting yes. A separate, unanimous motion authorized a 90‑day extension under section 9.1.8A5 of the subdivision ordinance to facilitate additional review by Bernalillo County and signatures from utilities.

Why it matters: the project, described in staff materials as the final step in a multi‑phase process that included preliminary plat approval in December 2023 and a site development plan approved in March 2024, will create roughly 16 residential lots and retain about 2.34 acres as open space subject to an open‑space maintenance agreement. Neighbors and several commissioners said the proposal raises long‑term questions about Los Ranchos’ rural character, wildlife habitat — specifically sandhill cranes — traffic and long‑term water availability.

Staff and applicant summary Mr. Chapel, reading the staff report, said the application met the technical submission requirements for a final plat and that the applicant had requested a 90‑day recording extension to secure remaining signatures. Mr. Williams read a June 17 letter from engineer Ron Bohannan asking for the extension “to facilitate the additional review from Bernalillo County and receive appropriate sign off from all necessary utilities.”

Applicant Ron Bohannan, who identified himself as principal of Tiara West LLC and a registered professional engineer, told the commission the plat creates 16 lots from existing tracks and that an open‑space maintenance plan covering the roughly 2.34 acres of preserved land has been negotiated. “We have an agreement for the open space that is quite detailed and that was agreed to and signed,” he said, asking the commission to recommend approval.

Public objections and key concerns Several residents opposed the project during public comment. Ivet Ner said, “The village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque is losing its rural character,” and warned that converting agricultural parcels to residential lots would harm the community’s founding purpose. Multiple speakers said the field is used by sandhill cranes and other wildlife and argued that a small retained open space will not sustain those species’ foraging needs.

Jane Silverstone pressed the commission to ensure that a trustees’ condition limiting resident access to Guadalupe Trail is enforced. Staff responded that the covenants negotiated with the developer include a provision that “there is no access to and from Guadalupe Trail except for emergency vehicles and [it] will be gated accordingly,” and that the village retained the right to enforce the covenants and the open‑space maintenance agreement.

Commissioner questions and technical clarifications Commissioners asked about emergency‑vehicle turning movements (cul‑de‑sac vs. K‑turn), fire‑marshal sign‑offs and water/irrigation for the open space. Mr. Bohannan said the design has been coordinated with the fire marshal and that a fire plan had been approved; he also described work with the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) to retain and reconfigure irrigation laterals so the open space can receive irrigation water. Staff and the applicant said the Albuquerque Water Authority had issued an availability letter but that any supplemental water (for example, from a well) would require state engineer approvals and additional work.

Legal and procedural context Staff and legal counsel reminded the commission that this hearing was limited to the final‑plat criteria under the subdivision ordinance; broader questions about site design and other conditions were set during prior approvals. Counsel also said the project had previously been reviewed under an earlier pilot‑project framework and that ordinance 299 later replaced pilot‑project provisions; the present review follows the current ordinance and the project’s record.

Next steps and enforcement The commission’s action is a recommendation to the Board of Trustees; final recording of the plat remains subject to the developer obtaining the necessary signatures and completing recording within the extended time frame. Staff said the covenants and the open‑space maintenance agreement give the village enforcement rights, including the ability to perform maintenance and place a lien for recovery of costs if the developer fails to meet obligations.

The commission also approved the requested 90‑day extension for recording to permit Bernalillo County and utility sign‑offs; staff read that extension request into the record on June 17.

The planning and zoning commission closed the item and continued with routine staff reports and other business; the meeting adjourned at about 7:37 p.m.