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Neighbors urge denial of Maverick site plan over safety, traffic and quality‑of‑life concerns; board forwards site plan to governing body
Summary
Residents packed the meeting to oppose a Maverick gas station site plan at Monterey/Obregon (near Enchanted Hills Elementary), citing traffic, school safety, lighting, crime and neighborhood character; the board found the site plan met code and will forward it to the governing body for final action.
Dozens of Rio Rancho residents told the Planning & Zoning Board on June 9 they opposed a proposed Maverick gas station and convenience store at the corner of New Mexico Highway 528 and Obregon/Monterey Road, citing traffic hazards, proximity to Enchanted Hills Elementary, lighting, noise, groundwater concerns and potential increases in loitering and crime.
Ben Isaac presented the site plan under the property’s SU special use zoning and explained that the hearing examined the site plan package rather than the permissibility of a gas station (the SU zoning allows fueling stations). "The site plan is just looking at making sure that it meets the requirements of our site plan standards in chapter 154," Isaac said.
Rich Pigott, representing Maverick, said the company had coordinated with the New Mexico Department of Transportation on access restrictions and would construct turn pockets required by NMDOT. "We use a light system that provides 0 lumens past the property line and dimmers for nighttime hours," Pigott said in response to a board question about lighting and shielding to reduce neighbor impacts.
Residents addressed a long list of concerns. Donna Baca said her 10‑year‑old son elopes and that traffic and increased lighting would endanger children; Tamara Farmery said she has seen intoxicated people leaving an adjacent site and argued a new gas station would exacerbate safety problems. Neighbors also raised questions about whether traffic studies assessed school‑arrival and dismissal periods, whether any formal comment or mitigation from Rio Rancho Public Schools had been obtained, potential effects on property values, groundwater contamination for homes on well water and whether existing local businesses already satisfy demand.
Board members asked applicants to clarify lighting, landscaping and traffic mitigation on the site plan. Staff noted the submitted site plan meets minimum standards and that the board’s recommendation would go to the governing body for final approval; the governing body will examine the same site‑plan standards.
Following discussion, the board voted to recommend the site plan to the governing body. The recommendation does not authorize construction; the applicant must still satisfy governing body conditions and any subsequent permits.
