Proposed complex off of Inca Rd. and Idalia elicits concern

In spite of some concerns raised by residents and council members about a plot of land planned for special use residential purposes — more specifically an apartment complex — the Rio Rancho Governing Body approved an ordinance during its Oct. 12 meeting that will change the zoning classification.

The applicant for the property, Modulus Architects, has plans to build an apartment community on the plot, which sits between Inca Road and Idalia Road, just off of Northern Blvd.

“Number-one goal for land use is to promote a variety of housing choices, including high-density, multi-family residential uses. Goal number two: neighborhood centers and corridors within walking distance of residences and with a balance of retail office in multi-family units,” Angela Williamson Piarowski, president of Modulus Architects, said.

She also says the goal is to help create affordable housing.

The architects and developers held a community open house meeting at Loma Colorado Main Library on June 14 to hear concerns from the community.

“Much discussion was had. There was quite a bit of opposition to the project, but we were able to walk away from the meeting with good input and ideas on how the project could be improved upon from the adjacent residents,” Piarowski said.

She said about 40 people showed up with concerns, and they tried to meet the needs of the residents as much as possible with the design.

However, residents and council members still had concerns about the entry and exit points from the proposed complex.

Milagro Mesa Community HOA president Amy Johnson wrote to the council about the concerns.

“There are also concerns about the traffic this project will cause on Inca Road. As you have already seen in a few of the other public comments, access to our neighborhood on Inca is limited by a one-way ingress in Edinburgh. This would leave people parked along Inca with two options for egress. They can either drive through the Solcito neighborhood to access the egress on Edinburgh, or they can leave at the intersection at Inca and Broadmoor. This intersection is dangerous on a good day, with a more than 45-degree turn out and a partially obstructed view of oncoming traffic to the left. We are deeply concerned about potential congestion and safety issues if there is an increase in utilization of this intersection, and those concerns have not been addressed,” Johnson wrote.

Milagro Mesa is on the north side of Inca Road and adjacent to the lot in question.

Council members and Mayor Gregg Hull also expressed concern about Inca Road.

Hull’s concern was about the lots around the proposed lot, as they are zoned as commercial lots.

“If you were to turn this all into commercial and put a Trader Joe’s there, you’d have 6,000-8,000 cars from people coming from all over, from Albuquerque’s West Side,” Hull said.

Councilor Jeremy Lenentine asked why Idalia couldn’t be the road that the apartment residents exit and enter on.

Williamson Piarowski and city staff explained that having entry and exit on Idalia Road would require cooperation from NM Gas Company and the property owners. Entry and exit points were first on Inca Road. After the developers heard complaints at the library community forum, it was switched to Idalia and the layout was flipped. Then, Williamson Piarowski says it switched back to Inca Road but with the layout staying flipped.

City Manager Matt Geisel confirmed that Idalia is a minor arterial design and construction plan of it is with federal funds.

Idalia was more challenging because of the need to obtain private property for access purposes and access restrictions/limitations because of Idalia’s classification status.

In the end, the applicant decided to pursue Inca instead of Idalia.

While the zoning classification has been changed, the development team has more hoops to jump through before the building can be constructed.

The ordinance amending the zoning classification and official zoning map for the property was approved by council. All but Councilor Jim Owen and Councilor Bob Tyler voted yes.