Rio Rancho Council Unanimously Backs 128-Home Amare Development Despite Neighbors' Objections

The Rio Rancho City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to approve a multifamily housing development, a decision that left many residents of the surrounding neighborhood unhappy.

The project, called Amare Rio Rancho, is planned for the southwest corner of 19th Street and Black Arroyo. City officials have said Rio Rancho needs a wider range of housing options. Neighbors attended the council meeting to voice their objections to councilors and the developers.

Among them was Arnie Vehrs, a nearby homeowner who filed an appeal of the process, which carried a $100 fee. Vehrs told the council that a development of 128 homes, built as rental units, does not fit the character of the neighborhood and would not complement or improve the area. "I believe it would erode the current quality of lifestyle and I believe it would significantly and measurably increase traffic at intersections," Vehrs said.

The complex would include single-story homes, two-story homes and townhomes. According to Amy Rincon, director of development services in Rio Rancho, the single-story units would sit along the edge next to the existing residential neighborhood so the new buildings blend in with the community. The homes would grow taller the farther they are from that neighborhood.

To address traffic worries, the developers proposed building two additional roads alongside the complex. Jim Strozier, president of Consensus Planning, a planning and consulting firm working on the project, said the new roads would provide a direct connection and fix what he called the "wonky intersection of Wellspring." He described that fix as a key component of the project.

The road work is tied to the housing itself and would happen only if the complex is completed. It also depends on Albuquerque officials, because portions of Black Arroyo and Unser lie within Albuquerque.

A traffic study that the developers are still conducting projected a 132% increase in traffic. It estimated that about 600 additional cars would travel through Albuquerque residential streets.

Despite the objections, the council approved the project without a dissenting vote. Councilor Bob Tyler said he thought the plan had been carefully developed. "In my opinion, the project's been well thought-out," Tyler said, adding that he liked how the developer's client had listened to the community and responded to some of its concerns.