Rio Rancho council denies Maverik gas station plan over traffic

Rio Rancho city councilors on Thursday denied a proposal to build a Maverik gas station in an empty lot at New Mexico 528 and Obregon Road, ruling that traffic from the business would push onto nearby residential streets. The 5-1 vote came after neighbors packed a council meeting to argue the station would be too close to their neighborhood.

The station had been proposed for a lot across from Corrales Road. The New Mexico Department of Transportation told the council that Maverik received permission for cars to enter the lot from New Mexico 528, but was not granted approval for vehicles to exit back onto the highway because of the area’s crash history. That meant cars would instead leave along Monterrey, a residential street.

“Monterrey and Obregon already carry concentrated morning and afternoon traffic associated with Enchanted Hills Elementary School nearby,” said Rio Rancho resident Thomas.

Councilor Nicole List said the limited access was unacceptable.

“Ultimately the only thing that was granted was a right in, which forces 100% of those vehicles out onto Monterrey, which is in no way shape or form acceptable,” List said.

Neighbors have been trying to block the project since earlier this year.

“You’ll see neighbors walking their dogs, you’ll see people riding bikes, little dirt bikes, all kinds of different activity on the road,” said Kristine, a nearby Rio Rancho neighbor.

Kristine said the area was why residents bought homes there.

“We value our neighbors. And our time we spend outside recreating and that’s why we bought homes in that area,” she said.

Councilors said the project did not meet the safety needs of the area. KRQE reached out to Maverik for comment but had not heard back as of the meeting.