Rio Rancho Planning & Zoning Minutes July 8 2008

Planning & Zoning:
"Planning and Zoning Hearings of the City of Rio Rancho MINUTES July 8, 2008"

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SAD Question Goes to Property Owners

This is a great article on how the Special Assessment District is being handled. The plan that was put together last year was shot down by residents because the way it was handled. The thing is, some residents still want it. It looks like the City has learned something and will be more proactive in informing residents, and asking instead of telling.

News : SAD issues under scrutiny - Rio Rancho Observer: "The city is going to ask residents if they want a Special Assessment District in their area.

This will help with flood control and include storm drains, detention ponds and paved roads with curb and gutter. The city’s engineer Scott Sensanbraugher agrees that is the best technical approach."

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Rio Rancho beats Albuquerque in home starts - New Mexico Business Weekly:

Rio Rancho beats Albuquerque in home starts - New Mexico Business Weekly:: "For the third straight month, starting in April, Rio Rancho is back in a familiar role: more new home starts than Albuquerque.
The number of building permits for single-family homes in the Albuquerque metro area was down 15.6 percent in June from the previous month."

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Rio Rancho City Manager to Step Down

Rio Rancho city manager to step down - New Mexico Business Weekly:: "Rio Rancho Mayor Thomas Swisstack and the City Council have accepted the resignation of City Manager James Payne.
Payne announced on Tuesday that he would step down from his position on Sept. 30. Until that time, he will continue his duties as city manager, and finish projects to allow for a smooth transition for his replacement, said a news release."

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Mayor Swisstack To Hold Public Meetings

The Official Site of Rio Rancho, NM - Public Meeting Schedule: "Mayor of Rio Rancho Thomas E. Swisstack will be conducting six 'Community Conversations' throughout the city in August.
'I am eager to follow-up with residents who attended my April and May meetings,' said Mayor Swisstack. 'My intent with these next series of meetings is to provide updates on the topics we previously discussed and continue dialogue on how we can collectively work together to enhance our community.'
One meeting will take place within the boundaries of each of the six City Council Districts."

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Rio Rancho Music in the Park

The Official Site of Rio Rancho, NM: "The city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services proudly announces the start of its “Music in the Park” series. Each Sunday night from June 29 to August 17 Haynes Park will be the site for free musical entertainment from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m."

July 27: Plat Eye Prowl (blues, rock and soul music)

August 3: Donohoe & Grimes (rock and pop music)

August 10: John Emory (symphonic music)

August 17: Hungry Mungry (a variety of music)

Haynes Park is located at 2006 Grande Blvd. across the street from Intel on NM 528 / Pat D’Arco Highway. For additional information please call 505-891-5015.



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Rio Rancho - The Cuesta Al Este Plan Gets Approved

A 115 acre area of Unit 13 has received approval of a residential neighborhood plan called Cuesta Al Este. The site is south of the Rio Rancho City Centre in an area that has many development projects in the works.

The plan consists of 491 home sites surrounding centralized neighborhood park and a network of walking trails. The plan also shows a neighborhood clubhouse, open space set asides, and a dog park. There is no indication of the timeframe for the build out of this project.


News : Cuesta Al Este Master Plan approved by city council - Rio Rancho Observer: "The Rio Rancho city council approved the Cuesta Al Este Master Plan and amended the Preferred Growth Scenario Map, which is under the umbrella of the City of Rio Rancho’s Vision 2020 Integrated Comprehensive Plan."

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La Plazuela de Sandoval

We recently listed a home in the Vista Entrada Neighborhood of Rio Rancho. The Vista Entrada Subdivision is adjacent to a 69 Acre site that is being developed as a mixed use complex named La Plazuela de Sandoval. Since some of the details are hard to find I have put together the following summary of the Master Plan (based on all the information I have).



The site is located at the Northwest corner of NM 528 and Idalia Roads. The site will have a new North South route off Idalia that will serve as an additional entry/exit to the Enchanted Hills Neighborhood to the north. Also Oersted Road will extend to the east into the plan area.

Currently the site is home of the $9.3 million Sandoval County Judicial Complex that opened in August 2005. The 45,699 sq/ft complex is home to the Sandoval County District Court, the Sandoval County Sheriff's Department, and the District Attorney's office. Just north of the Judicial Complex is the Health Commons. This houses Family Services, Community Health, and Sandoval County’s Medical Assistance Program. A 60,000 sq/ft County Administrative Center is also planned for this area. North of this is the Transportation Center with Park-n-Ride and shuttle but to the RailRunner Station in Bernalillo.

Future development plans include the Cielo Azul Retirement Community. This is a planned to contain 257 apartments and assisted living units. The La Plazuela master plan includes a site for High Density Housing. This would be in accordance with Rio Rancho’s R-6 zoning that allows up to 32 dwelling units per acre. I have not seen any plans for what this could look like. The site also includes areas set aside for Office Space and Commercial Uses such as retail shops, restaurants, bank, church and such. No industrial or manufacturing type operations would be allowed.

The layout looks to be pedestrian friendly and has some open space areas and has large set aside for flood control.

This plan has had its share of controversy. Some neighbors are concerned that their property values will be hurt and the “estate home” feel of the area will be lost. The jury will be out on that until the project is complete. From my point of view it’s positive (overall) for the area, but some property owners will be negatively affected, and that’s unfortunate.



Tego







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Amrep 4Q profit plunges as Rio Rancho Land sales plummet

This story just came out about AMREP (the largest land owner and developer of Rio rancho) and how their sales are down. This is no surprise to anyone trying to sell vacant land in Rio Rancho lately. We have seen substantial declines in the rate of closed sales. Bad news for sellers but great news for buyers.

Amrep 4Q profit plunges as N.M. land sales plummet: "Amrep Corp. on Monday posted a 92-percent drop in fiscal fourth-quarter profit, reflecting plummeting land sales at its Rio Rancho development in New Mexico."  More... http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/apamrep07-15-08.htm?jsbottom

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Movie Studio Production Complex in Rio Rancho Moves Forward.

A movie production complex planed for Rio Rancho has passed another hurdle with some promised help from the Rio Rancho City Council.

Full Story... ABQJOURNAL WEST: Studio Complex Advances: "Hollywood movie producer Steve Perry, the man behind Masque Entertainment, has set an aggressive schedule to break ground on movie production and sound stage complex in Rio Rancho by late September."

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It's Official! Rio Rancho 3rd largest City in New Mexico

The Albuquerque Journal today published data from July 2007 showing that Rio Rancho had surpassed Santa Fe as the third largest city in New Mexico. While we knew Rio Rancho has been growing steadily, it is official. With the relocation of Hewlett Packard from Colorado Springs next year, it should continue to grow steadily. Rio Rancho had 75,978 people at the time of the census in July 2007. Las Cruces has 89,722 and Albuquerque 518,271.
All the best, Tracy

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Great Rio Rancho Home for Sale.

We just listed a wonderful home in Rio Rancho. Wow, what a great house! Views, high quality construction, custom features, 2522/sf, 4bdrms, and a lot of almost one acre. Priced at $354900.00.


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HP in Rio Rancho

For the last few weeks there has been big news here in New Mexico.  The Colorado Springs Hewlett Packard plant is going to be relocating to Rio Rancho.  While many employees are expected to transfer to the new facility, there's also going to be hiring opportunities to get to full staffing.

We have already had inquiries from current HP employees planning ahead for their relocation.  It's a great time to get Rio Rancho Real Estate, both homes and land.  In addition, with some of the incentives currently being offered by builders, buying now and having a home built could be an excellent option. 

With the addition of HP, the new Rio Rancho City Center should really pop.  There is already quite a bit going on there with the Arena, the New Mexico Scorpions Professional Hockey, City Hall, the impending construction of CNM & UNM, plus the beautiful new V. Sue Cleveland High School opening in 2009.

We have mapped out land near these areas which is for sale, so if anyone is thinking beyond buying a home, this is a great area to consider buying investment land.  We have worked with many buyers who are investing in the future of Rio Rancho.  As one of the fastest growing Cities in the Country, it sure seems like a good place to invest. 

For homes, there are opportunities to buy in established neighborhoods, customs homes on larger lots, and also new homes.



All the best,  Tracy Venturi





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