OPEN LETTER: Chamisa Hills should not be approved

An Open Letter to the Governing Body Regarding the Chamisa Hills Master Plan-Zone Map Amendment:

The plan does not meet the purpose of zoning as specified in Chapter 154 Planning and Zoning, which is: to provide adequate space for light and air; avoid population density; ensure fire and other safety measures; manage street congestion; control unsightly uses; facilitate public services and utilities; encourage appropriate land use; and, stabilize property values. Nowhere is it stated that a factor for rezoning should be a revenue or tax stream.

Although the master plan is a romanticized rendition, it is not even a close fit with the design theme of our community. The plan is flawed with or without a cul-de-sac or other adjustments to try to make it work; it doesn’t fit our community. Our neighborhood was not designed to accommodate a high-density residential and commercial complex; the Chamisa Hills Plan is not a compatible/viable retrofit.

The newly revised Zone Map Amendment with its proposed concentration of housing, restaurants, businesses and a multi-level apartment complex is still an overbuild for our community. Pursuant to Chapter 154, Planning and Zoning:

The requested MU-A (Section 31, Mixed Use) allows among others: multi-story apartment houses and office buildings; movie theaters; hotels/motels; fire and police stations; schools; and multi-family residential. And the requested NC (Section 22, Neighborhood Commercial District) allows among others: restaurants, bars, lounges, coffee/tea rooms, delicatessens, patio/al fresco dining facilities; public schools K-12; shops and retail stores; public utilities/electric facilities; fire and police stations; churches; and undertaking establishments.

And Section 51 allows NC-zoned buildings up to 60 feet tall. And MU-A Mixed Use, up to 85 feet tall. Granted, all this is not on the table now, but approval of MU-A and NC zoning (which would be permanent) opens up those possibilities in the future.

Also, the owner plans to sell off parcels to builders who will have their own ideas about what to build, and under NC and mixed-use zoning they will have many choices, which may deviate widely from the master plan.

So, I respectfully ask, let’s give it a little more time and have a plan that is compatible with our single-family home community. Under the circumstances, that would mean: Keep it at low-impact recreation, no added NC commercial and no MU-A, mixed use, and any residential zoning to be limited to R-1 single family.

I know that you are under pressure to do something, but the modified Chamisa Hills Master Plan as it stands is not the solution. We have waited this long for a right plan. But this plan is not that right plan.

We need a master plan that will be less profit-oriented, one that will balance financial needs with compatibility/benefits to the neighborhood.

Further, the plan does not comply with the city of Rio Rancho’s vision, mission statement and core values: This plan will not “deliver high quality of life” to the community; it will not “maintain a safe and enjoyable living environment;” and, it will not “conserve, and sustain for future generations.” Also, the community already has available a variety of local amenities.

Therefore, the Chamisa Hills Master Plan-Zone Map Amendment should not be approved.

Sincerely and respectfully,

Vincent Daczynski

Rio Rancho