Los Lunas Council approves special use for nursing home

LOS LUNAS — A nursing home or similar medical facility could be making its way to Los Lunas following the approval of a special use amendment by the Los Lunas Village Council.

The amendment, approved at the Feb. 13 council meeting, created a new land use designation to allow for a nursing care facility adjacent to the Jubilee active adult community. The property is on a vacant parcel west of Huning Ranch West Loop SW and south of Sundance Street SW.

Los Lunas Community Development Director Alex Ochoa noted there are currently a couple assisted living facilities within the village, but not yet any nursing home facilities.

“The whole parcel itself is 29 acres, but they’re looking at nine acres out of that 29-acre parcel,” said Ochoa at the Feb. 13 meeting. “The current zoning is SU, mixed density residential, which allows for a variety of residential structures such as townhouses, duplex and condos. This proposal is asking to create a brand new zone, which is the mixed density nursing care facility.”

Ochoa said the proposal is already permitted within the commercial districts, but the need for a new zone will facilitate the development of that particular use in a more residential area.

Ochoa explained an assisted living facility is essentially an apartment complex where individuals live independently, but there is some assistant staff on site to help with daily living.

However, a nursing care facility is defined as a skilled nursing facility with semi-private rooms that has doctors and nurses on site.

“The comment was made that this (type of) facility doesn’t exist in Los Lunas, and I agree. Personally, I think it’s a great facility and that the village needs it,” said applicant Sheldon Greer, representing the property owner Nick Blea. “It’d be nice if (residents) could stay closer to home and their loved ones could visit them in an easier manner.”

During the public comment portion of the meeting, several residents spoke in support of the proposed project, emphasizing the need for it in the community, especially considering the senior population throughout the country is growing, and there are a limited number of nursing care facilities in New Mexico.

“I moved here from Colorado. I have no children, I have no family around,” said Jubilee resident Patti Tanis. “I had hoped when we first moved into our home in Jubilee, the 55-plus community, that there would eventually be a place for me to go as I aged. I relish the thought of having this facility, and I truly hope you consider it because we’re all getting old.”

However, some residents voiced their opposition to the endeavor, mainly citing concerns over the ambiguity of the project and traffic.

Another resident also expressed concern about the scenic impact for the homes adjacent to the property.

“The Huning Ranch area is inherently scenic, and because of the zoning allowable heights for having a 50-foot structure, it would impact residents in the area with views from their houses,” said Monica Kemsley. “My husband and I are opposed to this, but if this zoning is approved, I’d like to request that it be contingent on the highest limit being changed to 26 feet.”

Blea, who is also the owner and developer of Jubilee, shared a letter he sent out to Jubilee residents at the meeting.

“It’s been my desire since 2012 to provide an assisted living facility that will serve our 55-plus Jubilee community and the surrounding area,” said Blea. “Please understand that the land next to Jubilee will be developed in the future. If this zoning is approved, there’s going to be development.

“If there’s no zoning approved, it’s still going to be developed, but normal development will create substantially more traffic than an assisted living facility would.”

Greer then addressed some concerns raised by residents seeking more clarity on the type of facility that will be there if built.

“We’re asking for a conditional use,” said Greer. “I made it a conditional use on purpose because whoever the user is, has to come back in for the site plan. So everybody will get another notice and that would be the time to talk (about specifics). So we don’t know what the use is, and we’re asking for permission to use it for everything from assisted living to nursing care.”

Greer added that should the council make a motion for approval, they would be willing to limit the height to 26 feet in response to concerns regarding the impact to views.

To help alleviate traffic, he said another entrance would be added for the facility and would work with Sundance Elementary.

Councilor James Runyon made a motion for approval with the condition that the development height be limited to 26 feet.

“I know if the village of Los Lunas is going to be a strong, thriving community, like I know it is, we should be good with taking care of our citizens from the birth to the grave,” said Runyon.

The council unanimously approved the motion for approval of the special use amendment.