Despite concerns, council passes multi-family development complex

RIO RANCHO — Rio Rancho is looking to expand and develop, and at a city council meeting Thursday night, a controversial agenda item was passed that will do just that, much to the dismay of public commenters.

As Amare Rio Rancho — a multi-family development complex — looks to build on the southwest corner of 19th and Black Arroyo, residents in the neighboring area came to the meeting to share their grievances with city councilors and the developers.

“As a homeowner in the neighborhood, I’m stating the density of 128 homes and development of rental units is not consistent with the neighborhood and would not compliment or advance the area,” said Arnie Vehrs, a homeowner in the neighborhood next to where the complex would be built who attempted to appeal the process. The appeal costed Vehrs $100 to file.

The medium density complex would feature a 128 homes built in single-story, two-story and townhome style. The side of the complex adjacent to the residential neighborhood would focus on single-story homes to blend in with the community, and the further the complex gets, the taller the homes would be, according to Amy Rincon, director of development services in Rio Rancho.

Though the developers received a permit allowing them to build up to five stories, they decided against it to help keep the current look of the neighborhood.

“I believe it would erode the current quality of lifestyle, and I believe it would significantly and measurably increase traffic at intersections,” Vehrs added. “If this goes through, I don’t believe the justifies an increase in traffic at intersections already under traffic stresses.”

To reduce potential traffic concerns, developers with Amare Rio Rancho proposed two additional roads that would be built in conjunction with the complex.

“We’re working with the city of Rio Rancho as well as the city of Albuquerque to help facilitate two key projects as part of this development, and that is extension and construction of Pavilion Way, and that will provide a direct connection and fix the wonky intersection of Wellspring, and that is a key component of the project,” said Jim Strozier, president of Consensus Planning — a planning and consulting firm working on the project. “We also are working with the City of Albuquerque to get a left-hand turn for northbound traffic Black Arroyo.”

However, the road project would only come to fruition if the housing complex was completed. Residents were concerned that even with the additional traffic projects, the roadways would be unsafe for children and would be too heavily congested. A traffic study of the surrounding area is being conducted and can help give developers and residents a better idea of expected traffic.

“The developer stated this development would generate more than 1,200 vehicle trips per day, and there are already no sidewalks,” said Christina Vallejo, another resident in the neighboring community who was against the development project.

“This development is going to impact our community, location, privacy and convenience for business residents; these rental units are going to have a higher turnover rate compared to owner-occupied homes, which is going to hinder the establishment of long-term relationships and a sense of community among the residents, fairness and equity,” said Vallejos, who exited the council meeting to a round of applause from fellow residents against the development.

Though residents put up a fighting battle, councilors were not swayed and the development project was unanimously passed.

“In my opinion, the project’s been well thought out,” said Councilor Bob Tyler. “I like how your client has listened to the community and addressed some of the concerns, and I’m interested to see where it goes.”