Board approves conditional-use permit for 1603 Inca Road self-storage facility

The Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board voted to approve a conditional-use permit for a proposed self-storage facility at 1603 Inca Road NE.

Elizabeth (Liz) Carlos, planner with the city, told the board the 5.34-acre property is zoned C-1 retail commercial and that self-storage is a conditional use in that district under Rio Rancho Municipal Code section 154.24. Carlos said the applicant submitted a site plan showing required items including lot dimensions, parking, signage and landscaping. She described the proposed facility as specializing in storage for RVs, boats, trailers and ATVs, with two access points on Inca Road NE and an emergency exit on Buckskin Loop NE; staff noted emergency access and interior fire hydrants will be included to address fire-department comments.

Carlos said the proposed parking plan calls for about 146 total parking spaces, and that one nearby property is already developed as a self-storage facility with a mix of covered and uncovered spaces. The applicant, Devin Imos, told the board this would be his first storage venture but that his firm has been in real estate for about five years and intends to keep the facility locally owned. When asked whether all spaces would be covered, the applicant said, “Most of them actually will be open.” He also said the facility would focus on RVs, boats and trailers.

Commissioners questioned the applicant and staff about compatibility with surrounding single-family residential zoning and about fire-department requirements; staff said those comments were addressed in the packet and by including emergency access and interior hydrants on the plan. After the discussion a commissioner moved to approve the conditional-use permit; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call.

The permit approval is subject to the findings and conditions included in staff’s recommendation; next steps include any required permits and compliance with the fire-department conditions.