New Paseo Gateway West housing development approved

RIO RANCHO — A development plan envisioning 270 homes in the Paseo Gateway West area was approved Thursday by the Rio Rancho Governing Body.

A resolution adopting the Cielo Bonito Master Plan and an ordinance requesting approval of a zoning map amendment for the subdivision came following the Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board's recommendation Feb. 10 that governing body adopt the plan.

Thursday's governing body meeting marked a victory for planners with Albuquerque-based Cielo Bonito, LLC, whose requests were unanimously rejected by councilors two times last year. The first rejection was Aug. 14, when planners withdrew their master plan due to lack of parcel ownership. The second no vote was Nov. 13, when planners conceded they still did not have a master plan. 

But on Thursday, councilors let bygones be bygones when they unanimously approved — and even complimented — planners, including Nicosha Schedlbauer, of SCM Partners, who presented the item.

"Man, if we had just done this in 2025, we wouldn't have had to be here today, right?" said District 3 Councilor Bob Tyler, who teasingly quizzed Schedlbauer if she knew the date of the first governing body meeting when the plan was presented. "I'm glad you have come along, got this to where we need it to be;  I think it looks good and I can stand behind this because it meets all of our requirements."

District 4 Councilor Paul Wymer echoed Tyler's comments.

"It seemed like (during the last meeting) you were this close to doing a master plan — now you have one; thank you. Then, the ownership was another issue, which was another issue, and I see how you fixed that. Thank you for taking care of those things — we're there, in my mind," Wymer said.

Prior to the governing body's vote, Amy Rincon, Rio Rancho director of development services, noted how the developer's plan had changed since they last presented to councilors. The plan includes a master plan in addition to a zoning map amendment, she said. In addition, planners zoned the property for single-family housing instead of multi-family housing, Rincon said. Several acres of land were cut from the new plan as well until developers gain ownership of those parcels, said Rincon. 

Schedlbauer responded in a presentation to councilors that the master plan complies with Rio Rancho's comprehensive plan; the master plan includes 95% ownership, five points above the requirement from the recently updated development process manual; and includes more than the required 2.28 acres of park space required the Paseo Gateway West specific area plan.

Previously, Cielo Bonito LLC intended to build more than 350 homes on 66 acres of land north of Cielo Azul Elementary School and City Center, according to Schedlbauer.

Now,  Schedlbauer said, her corporation intends to build 270 homes on just over 47 acres in the same location.  The development will also include 2.5-acre- and 1.3-acre parks, according to the master plan available on the city of Rio Rancho's website. 

Cielo Bonito will be designed in four phases, stated the master plan, the first phase establishing roads connected to Wilpett Drive; the second extending Petrullo Avenue and creating the 1.3-acre linear park; the third developing the 2.5-acre community park; and the forth completing the southeastern edge of the subdivision and with secondary fire access on Lookover Drive.

Representatives with SCM Partners did not immediately respond to request for comment following the meeting.

The governing body's approval of Cielo Bonito comes following the endorsement of other developments, including the Chamisa Hills Master Plan — a 281-acre development with houses, a business park, a town center called the “La Joya de Rio” (Jewel of Rio Rancho) and open recreational spaces. The development would be included on the site of the former Rio Rancho Golf Course and Clubhouse.