RR council approves former golf course development revamp

RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho Governing Body approved a developer’s plan to transform the old golf course into a sprawling new development Thursday.

The decision came after a public hearing on the Chamisa Hills Master Plan, envisioned by Steve Chavez, and an ordinance creating zoning amendments to make it possible for him to build.

Chavez and his associates, including Albuquerque-based Consensus Planning, have described Chamisa Hills as 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, all located on the site of the former Rio Rancho Golf Course and Clubhouse.

Chavez said after the meeting that the approval could not have come without “a lot of hard work” from his team — and the residents.

“It was important that we communicate — and I think that’s the key to getting this development moving forward,” Chavez said.

Thursday’s affirmation by the six-member council came a little more than four months after a spring hearing in which the project seemed in doubt. On May 8, councilors and residents roundly criticized specific aspects of the plan and Chavez for allegedly not doing enough community outreach. Some residents circulated a petition asking the council to reject the plan until studies could be completed.

In between that time, Chavez and his team made revisions recommended by city council and staff in order to present what Jim Stozier, co-founder of Consensus Planning, described Thursday as a “clean” master plan.

“It takes a lot of effort going back and forth,” Stozier said, thanking city staff. “You all gave us some tasks to achieve, some of which we didn’t we didn’t know exactly what was meant, so we worked together to figure out how to respond.”

In June, July and August, Chavez met at the Rio Rancho Chamber of Commerce with members of the homeowners associations in the area, many of which said Thursday they backed Chamisa Hills.

Islands Homeowners Association President Jana Burdick said during public comment that the association “strongly supports the vision for Chamisa Hills.”

“It is time to move forward,” Burdick said.

Thomas Wright, treasurer of The Enclave at Rio Rancho HOA, told the council, “we endorse moving forward with this and that you pass this.”

Not everyone was on board with the plan. During the public hearing, Carole Etzler, who lives on the former golf course, asked what people will say in 2045 — her 100th birthday — about the governing body’s decision to approve Chamisa Hills.

“I think they’re going to say, ‘What on Earth were these people thinking?’” Etzler said. “This is the City of Vision, and I want us to have a vision for the future where we preserve that green belt.”

Following those comments, councilors noted the shift in tone from the May 8 meeting.

“There’s so much more clarity; there’s so much more understanding,” said District 6 Councilor Nicole List.

District 2 Councilor Jeremy Lenentine expressed approval of the plan, referencing Burdick’s quote about moving forward.

“’It’s time to move forward, and I agree — because this is a plan we can move forward with,” he said.

District 4 Councilor Paul Wymer said he was impressed to see the progress made on the plan since May 8.

“While they may not have addressed them perfectly, they’ve done a pretty damn good job,” Wymer said.

He added his view that any remaining issues, including a cul-de-sac off of Calle Suenos Southeast, can be resolved.

The cul-des-sac, Stozier said, would limit through traffic in the area.

“We’re committed to work with the neighbors to try to make that happen,” he said. “If it does get approved, then it’s on our nickel.”

Amy Rincon, director of the city’s development services department, told governing body members staff doesn’t see “major red flags” and believes the cul-de-sac can be constructed, but the master plan is not the best place for it.

“We have other processes to move this forward,” including a subdivision variance and traffic calming, Rincon said.

Master planning and zoning are “the first step” in the development process and “dirt does not begin to turn” on Chamisa Hills for one to three years until platting, site planning and building permitting can be accomplished, according to Rincon. These processes will include approving the cul-de-sac, she said.

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, who noted it will be a few years before “breaking dirt on any houses,” thanked Chavez for investing in a blighted space, crafting a vision for development and listening to community members.

“I feel like there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and it doesn’t look like it’s an oncoming train,” he said.