Rio Rancho council denies Maverik gas station proposal

Rio Rancho city councilors denied a proposal Thursday night to build a Maverik gas station at an empty lot at New Mexico 528 and Obregon Road, voting 5-1 against the project. Neighbors had argued the station would push traffic onto nearby residential streets.

The lot sits across from Corrales Road. The department granted Maverik permission for vehicles to enter the lot from New Mexico 528 but did not approve an exit back onto the highway because of the area’s crash history, according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

That arrangement would force all vehicles leaving the lot onto Monterrey, a residential street. “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,” Rio Ranch City Councilor Nicole List said.

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

Councilors said the project did not meet the safety needs of the area.

Neighbors have been trying to block the project since earlier this year, citing concerns that the gas station would sit too close to homes. Several raised those concerns at Thursday’s meeting.

“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.

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

KRQE reached out to Maverik for comment but have not heard back yet.

The decision follows a separate denial in May, when Albuquerque residents packed public meetings to block a Maverik gas station at the old Whole Foods market on Carlisle.