Jubilee zoning withdrawn; intersection funding approved

LOS LUNAS — After a contentious planning and zoning hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 1., the Los Lunas Village Council was informed the developers had withdrawn their request for rezoning at a regular council meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9.

At the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, a request was made by Avalon Jubilee LLC to subtract 3.13 of the nine acres surrounding the clubhouse at Jubilee Los Lunas. The request was met with full-throated opposition from Jubilee residents, many of whom testified before the commission against the change.

On Thursday morning, ahead of the council meeting, the News-Bulletin learned the application to change designation of a portion of land around Jubilee Los Lunas’ clubhouse from special use (SU) to mixed-density use (MD) had been withdrawn

Thursday night, Los Lunas Community Development Director Alex Ochoa informed the council that village staff requested that Avalon Jubilee, LLC withdraw the application and the company had acceded to that request. The inclusion on the agenda for the meetings was to “make public notice of the withdrawal,” he said and the council moved on with the rest of the agenda.

Several residents at Jubilee Los Lunas spoke up against the requested zone change, saying they had moved to the adult community for specific reasons, including common and outdoor space.

Also on Thursday, the council approved a resolution for $200,000 to go towards a project to redesign the intersection of Sun Ranch Village Drive and N.M. 6, west of Interstate I-25. The addition of those funds brings the total funding to $1.15 million for the project, which includes changes to left turns at Sun Ranch Village Drive, redirecting traffic to the three-way light at Champion Road.

“This funding would be used to, again, plan and design and construct those improvements that we’ve came before you on to let you know we’re gonna be doing some intersection improvements (in that area,” said Public Works Director Michael Jaramillo.

Jaramillo said the estimated cost of the entire project has increased to $2.8-$3.4 million, up from $1.4-$1.8 million, and said the current funding would only cover the design phase. He also mentioned the project has been in planning for over a year and is considered urgent due to anticipated traffic increases from a new hotel and future commercial development.

However, Jaramillo said the design phase would likely take at least a year, with construction likely starting in 2027.

“Our goal we’ve committed to is to be here this next year, awarding a bid,” he said. “I think we can do it. I know we can do it. As we’ve had conversations, we’re working on a lot of mechanisms right now for funding.”

Mayor Charles Griego said addressing traffic on Main Street west of I-25 was important and should be expedited, if possible.

“I think we really need to address traffic issues on that portion of Main Street,” Griego said. “It’s not going to get any better unless we do something. I know once we complete the improvements on the freeway, I think it’ll be much better … we need to have a clear plan of action where we’re getting these things done. Not over planning and designing. They need to move quicker.”

The council approved the resolution 4-0.

In other action, the council:

• Approved transfer of the full dispenser liquor license at the former Good 2 Go service station at 16655 Main St. NW to the Maverik store at 153 Los Morros Road NW by a unanimous vote of 4-0.

• Approved dedications of two ponding areas within the Tabet Vista subdivision and one within the Parkview Estates in southwest Los Lunas. The dedication came after residents requested that the village maintain the ponding areas.