City planner presents Orchard Park master plan; board recommends approval

The Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board on March 10 recommended approval of the Orchard Park master plan, a proposed 43.13‑acre master plan that would be rezoned from transitional zoning to medium‑density residential in a later zone‑map amendment. City planner Tim Dvorak presented the staff report and recommended the board forward the plan with findings and conditions to the governing body.

The plan envisions a four‑phase development with internal roadways, sidewalks, curb and gutter, private homeowners‑association pocket parks and roughly 273–278 medium‑density single‑family lots. "This master plan is comprised of approximately 43.13 acres," Tim Dvorak said; the applicant representative later stated the submission includes 278 medium‑density single‑family residential lots. Dvorak also noted required parkland dedication is approximately 2.4 acres while the project currently proposes about 2.2 acres, within a 10% deviation of the subdivision ordinance.

The applicant, represented by Ron Bohannon, described drainage and soils as typical for the area, said water and sewer extensions will be provided as phases develop, and said a detention pond is planned at the site’s southwest corner. Bohannon said the site is bisected by the future Progress Boulevard NE arterial and that a traffic‑impact analysis will be completed for each phase.

During discussion, Commissioner Hardesty asked whether the board commonly reviews master plans before zoning; a staff member explained that master plans frequently set land uses in advance of zone‑map amendments and that both applications are sometimes seen concurrently. Hardesty also asked whether lots not owned by the applicant would be required to conform; Bohannon clarified those outparcels were intentionally excluded from the master plan and therefore would not be bound by it.

The board moved to recommend approval and, following roll call, the motion passed. The board’s recommendation will go to the governing body for final action and any required zone‑map amendments and detailed subdivision reviews will follow as phases proceed.