By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Rio Rancho’s Governing Body meets Thursday with decisions on the table that will shape the city’s growth for years — including a 350-home subdivision, a water rights purchase and a cluster of zoning changes that range from a new fitness center to a Maverik gas station.
The council returns to two items postponed from its June 11 meeting: the Rancho Alegria Master Plan and a companion zone map amendment that would rezone 66.25 acres near Northern and Rainbow boulevards from industrial and single-family residential to R-3 mixed-residential. Builder Pulte Homes, working with partner Westway Homes, is proposing up to 350 single-family homes built in six phases, with five HOA pocket parks and a 5.5-acre-foot detention pond, according to agenda documents. Planning and Zoning Board members recommended approval 4-0 at their June 9 meeting.
Also on the docket is a vote to authorize the purchase of 200 acre-feet of consumptive water rights from Platte Land & Water, LLC — a deal that agenda documents describe as requiring Governing Body “advice and consent” before the city can execute the purchase agreement. Water supply has been a recurring issue for Rio Rancho as the city pushes toward 120,000 residents by 2040. Separately, councilors will vote on awarding a contract to Albuquerque Asphalt, Inc. for the Springer Drive Reconstruction Project.
Additional items on the June 25 agenda include:
- Maverik gas station (D23): Site plan approval for the Maverik fuel station at Unit 17, Block 131, Lots 36–40. The Paper has already covered the P&Z Board’s earlier approval — read that story here.
- Rancho Alegria rezoning (O8): The companion zone map amendment to the master plan, also postponed from June 11, also goes before the council.
- Gospel Light Baptist Church (O7): The church at 1500 Southern Blvd. SE is requesting a rezone of an adjacent 0.94-acre lot from R-1 residential to C-1 commercial to build a fitness center with retail suites.
- Sagebrush Church expansion (D22): Site plan amendment for a building expansion at 7555 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE.
- Veranda Road rezoning (O10): A request to rezone 1050 Veranda Road SE from C-1 to C-2 to match adjacent property under common ownership.
- Budget adjustments (R50, R51): State reimbursement of $37,898 for law enforcement equipment, and a $72,949 internal reallocation within the police department budget for body-worn cameras and school crossing guard services.
- Lodger’s Tax Board (D21): Mayor Paul Wymer’s appointment of Days Inn owner Jay Morriswala to fill a vacant board seat goes to the council for confirmation.
Rio Rancho Governing Body Meeting
Wednesday, June 25, 2026 | 6 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall — 3200 Civic Center Circle NE, Rio Rancho
Watch live: rrnm.gov
Zoom: Join here | Meeting ID: 833 3815 7719 | Passcode: 554297
Phone: +1 720-707-2699
To comment on agenda items, register in person with the City Clerk no later than 5:45 p.m.