RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) – There’s vocal pushback against a developer’s plan to build new homes, shops, and more on a massive, closed Rio Rancho golf course. City officials got an earful from neighbors this week at one of the first meetings about it.
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“We’re very excited to see this project before you this evening. There’s been a lot of work that’s gone into getting it to this point,” said James Strozier with Consensus Planning, Inc.
It’s still a prime spot for homeowners, even though it’s been closed for almost a decade. But now, neighbors have a lot of questions about developers’ plans to put new homes, shops, and offices on the 280-acre former Club Rio Rancho golf course.
“We were not well informed of this at all, in my opinion. Beyond this, that open space means a lot to the people in that area, people play there, people will walk there,” said Mathew Brady, an opponent of the redevelopment plans.
The same developers behind Mesa del Sol are also behind the new Chamisa Hills redevelopment. “We feel very good about and we think aspirationally it sets the right tone for what could and should happen to these properties,” said Strozier.
Planners faced opponents at a recent meeting, who spoke for more than an hour about their concerns. “Over 20 years ago, we bought the property at a premium because it was a golf course in our backyard, but since then, we’ve lost tens of thousands of dollars because now it’s a dust bin,” said Jack Autry, an opponent of the redevelopment plans.
In order for the project to move forward, developers need their master plan to be approved by the City of Rio Rancho. Despite hearing significant push-back from neighbors this week, the city’s Planning and Zoning Board recommended approving the master plan.
“We are not throwing in the towel, 100 percent we are not. We are going to be active for the next month up until this next meeting, and we are going to make sure that everybody is well aware,” said Mike Lindell, member of the Stonehedge Neighborhood Association.
Rio Rancho City Council is expected to review the plans and potentially vote on their approval or denial sometime next month.