Council discusses nuisance North Hills property

RIO RANCHO — A house in North Hills will be removed or repaired due to its nuisance status. The city of Rio Rancho Governing Body approved a resolution to require immediate removal or repair of ruined building, structure(s), rubbish, wreckage, weeds, debris, and abatement of premises at 1873 Blackberry Road.

The resolution states that the property is "so covered with ruins, rubbish, wreckage and/or other debris" that it is a menace and nuisance to the public.

It also states the city's Code Enforcement Division has been issuing citations at the property since 2021. The property has also been the scene of a stabbing, an explosion and other criminal matters, according to the cover page.

"The property has had 113 calls for service by the Rio Rancho Police Department since 2023. Most recently, on May 7, 2025, an occupant of the property caused an explosion by utilizing butane inside the property, which resulted in substantial damage to the home and burns to the individual. As a result of the explosion, the New Mexico Gas Company removed the gas meter; however, the occupants are now alleged to have tampered with the utilities at the property line," it states.

According to court records, the occupant and owner of the home, Jeffrey Dye, 58, of Rio Rancho, has warrants for his arrest out of the Rio Rancho Municipal Court and out of Sandoval County Magistrate Court. He has two open cases with the Rio Rancho Municipal Court for code violations.

A property owner will be notified as part of the resolution approval.

The city will begin abatement procedures if the owner does not comply with cleanup or abatement or file a written objection with the city clerk. If city funds are used to clear the nuisance, a lien will be placed on the property to recover the costs and, if necessary, could seek foreclosure on it.