Rio Rancho delays Maverick gas‑station site plan after residents raise safety and traffic concerns

The Rio Rancho governing body voted to postpone consideration of a proposed Maverick convenience store and 12‑pump fueling station until the council’s Sept. 10 meeting after residents pressed for more study of traffic, school‑time safety and neighborhood compatibility. Councilor Figgett moved to postpone the item and Councilor Tyler seconded; the motion passed on roll call (Yes: Tyler, Dobson, Weimer, Culbreth; No: List, Linnentine).

Neighbors and public‑safety professionals told the council the site plan funnels commercial traffic onto Monterey Road, a residential street near Enchanted Hills Elementary School. Retired fire lieutenant Thomas William Krupiak urged the council to delay approval “until you are satisfied with the public record” and to answer outstanding engineering, grading and drainage questions before permitting commercial traffic to use a neighborhood road. Juan Lopez Corona said “this site plan contains 0 enforceable noise conditions and routes traffic directly onto our residential street,” warning of overnight tank‑truck deliveries and truck idling. Victoria Santos told the council, “Any delay in an emergency response could put someone’s life at risk,” citing concerns about ambulances and fire trucks navigating increased traffic.

Applicant representatives stressed mitigations in the submitted plans — turn pockets, Monterey Road widening and a traffic study they say the city accepted — and flagged NMDOT access limits on New Mexico 528 that constrain full access options. Councilors said negotiating additional access with NMDOT or the landowner might reduce neighborhood impacts and justified a short postponement to pursue those conversations and additional community outreach. The item will return to the governing body on Sept. 10 unless the applicant withdraws or requests otherwise.