Rio Rancho planning board approves multiple plats, postpones shipping‑container variance and advances LGI Homes High Range 6 zoning

The Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board approved a string of land‑use matters including an extension of the Mellon Ridge preliminary plat, final and preliminary/final plats for two residential projects, and recommended approval of LGI Homes’ High Range 6 specific area plan, master plan and zone map amendment. The board also postponed a variance request for a shipping container to a date‑certain and voted down a separate text amendment for the Business Park zone.

Staff presented the Mellon Ridge preliminary plat extension (applicant Rio Rancho Holdings LLC, agent Hewitt Zollars). Planner Michelle Castilla told the board the subject property is approximately 32.1 acres and the approved subdivision would remain at 157 lots; construction of phase 2 has begun and staff said phase 2 "is expected to be complete in 2024." The board voted to approve the extension with findings and conditions.

On a variance request for a 40‑foot shipping container at 4588 Huron Drive NE, planner Sean Barber recommended denial based on E‑1 estate residential setbacks. Neighbor Michael Lizzie spoke in support of his neighbor and told commissioners the container "had been there prior to construction of the home." Commissioners said they wanted the applicant present to answer usage and timeline questions; the board amended the motion and postponed the vote to a date‑specific hearing on April 23 so staff can contact the applicant.

The board approved a preliminary/final plat to adjust the building envelope at 5731 Veranda Court (applicant Mark J. Bedford) and a final plat for Lomas Encantadas Phase 3A that creates 57 single‑family lots and five tracts. Tim Dvorak, planner, recommended approval of both items with findings and conditions and the motions passed on roll calls.

For the High Range 6 series (Items 10–12), staff presented concurrent applications from LGI Homes to amend a specific area plan (change from office corridor to medium‑density residential), adopt a High Range 6 master plan, and rezone roughly 102 acres from R1/O1 to R5 to permit approximately 463 dwelling units (about 4.5 dwelling units per acre) with roughly 4.93 acres of parkland. Applicant land planner Julie Vermillion and the LGI Homes team were sworn in and answered questions; the board voted to recommend approval of all three items to the governing body.

After hearing public comments and applicant testimony, the meeting concluded with a short public forum and adjournment.

Approved, postponed and next steps are on the planning department calendar; the variance will return to the board on April 23, and the LGI Homes and other approved items will be transmitted to the governing body per standard practice.