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Board approves several 50‑foot lot variances amid neighbor objections; one case postponed
Summary
The board approved multiple lot‑width variances allowing 50‑foot R‑1 lots at several Northern Boulevard addresses after staff found the lots could not be combined; residents argued the decisions conflict with long‑standing overlay ordinance 98‑023 and asked the board to deny variances or postpone consideration.
The Rio Rancho Planning & Zoning Board on June 9 approved a series of variances to allow development on 50‑foot lots in the Northern Boulevard area but postponed one case to a date certain after neighbor objections.
Ben Isaac, municipal planner, presented three similar cases asking relief from a 60‑foot minimum lot‑width requirement in municipal code chapter 154.5. Isaac said the subject lots were platted decades ago, are 50 feet wide, and are not owned by the same party as adjacent lots, so the city’s overlay ordinance that deems contiguous substandard lots merged for zoning does not apply. "The applicant does not own any lots adjacent to the subject property and thus the ordinance does not apply," Isaac said.
At least two adjacent property owners, including Rebecca Smith (640 Northern Blvd), told the board the lots had been contiguous and under single ownership for decades and urged the board to apply the 1998 overlay ordinance (referred to in the hearing as ordinance 98‑023). Smith said the legislative history and the city’s long‑standing concern about 50‑foot lots weigh against granting variances and warned of precedent if approvals continue.
Despite those objections, the board approved variances for 704 Northern Blvd (staff presentation by Tim Dvorak), 700 Northern Blvd (Solano Builders) and another 50‑foot lot cases heard that evening. For the case at 836 Northern Blvd, several commissioners noted the applicant was not present; Commissioner Galbaldon moved to postpone that item to July 14 so the applicant could attend, and the motion carried.
When voting on the cases that moved forward, the board recorded unanimous affirmative votes from Chair Richardson, Vice Chair Gabaldon, Commissioner Hankins and Commissioner Hardesty. Board members and staff stressed that approval of a variance is tied to findings of hardship and that applicants must still obtain required building permits and any utility encroachment agreements where relevant.
The decisions allow property owners to pursue single‑lot development on 50‑foot lots in these cases; opponents said they would continue to press the city’s historic standards and legislative intent for substandard lots.
