Plan Will Promote a Vibrant Mixed Use Area Near the Rail Runner Station

(See KOB-TV's news story video on this issue.)

A plan that would make the Los Lunas Rail Runner station the focal point of a vibrant, safe, community was adopted by the Village Council last week. The official Station area plan, as it’s called, is designed to help the station and surrounding area to become a destination for both Village residents and visitors to the area. The plan calls this area to be center for the community and offer a variety of residential and retail offerings as well as public space and community amenities such as parks and bike paths.

“This plan includes amenities such as sidewalks, lighting, and pedestrian crossings for area residents”, says Lawrence Rael, Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. People will be able to walk and bicycle between the station and their homes, as well as to surrounding businesses and other destinations.”

The plan makes three recommendations to achieve the Village’s vision for the station area – which extend roughly ½ mile from the station. Design standards are recommended to ensure that new buildings are pedestrian friendly, promote safety, are of appropriate scale, and create a memorable place. Recommendations for transportation improvements are designed to improve the ease and safety of walking and bicycling in the area while improving traffic circulation.

The plan also recommends the adoption of a mixed-use core zone in the area closest to the station –a district that would have a mix of retail and housing and activity throughout the day – and a surrounding residential area which would be a transition area to the surrounding neighborhoods and would provide additional flexibility in residential development. “The plan for the station area gives the Village a clear vision of what the community and Village would like to achieve”, says Los Lunas Mayor Louis Huning. “We are already starting on some of the implementation steps laid out in the plan, namely roadway and pedestrian improvements on NM 314 near Courthouse road.”

The station area plan is the product of an 18-month effort by the Village staff, Village residents, and members of an advisory group that helped steer the effort. The advisory group and the Village planning and zoning commission reviewed the draft plan and recommended that the Village council adopt the plan. The Mid-Region Council of Governments managed the planning effort which was funded by the state.

“The advisory group and planning team worked closely together to ensure that the plan reflected the community’s vision for the area and established clear recommendations and steps to achieve the vision”, says Art Mondragon, the Village Community Development Director.

The Los Lunas Station Area Plan can be viewed at the Village of Los Lunas website at www.loslunasnm.gov.

Learn more about MRCOG station area planning efforts.

Contact:  Tony Sylvester ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )