Los Lunas Plan

The Village of Los Lunas began as a ranching based community on El Camino Real, but has more recently become a bedroom suburb of Albuquerque. Recently, the area has grown with the influx of residents who work in Albuquerque but are attracted by the Village’s relatively low housing prices and beautiful landscape.

Circulation Concept included in the Draft Los Lunas Station Area Plan

Just as with the past changes in Los Lunas' history, the commuter rail (Los Lunas Station) also brings with it the potential to re-shape the built environment, change land-use patterns, and reorient the focus of economic activity.  

Los Lunas Station Area

A draft plan for the Los Lunas Station area has been developed and is being reviewed by the Village, MRCOG, and the advisory group. The draft plan will be presented to the Village council in the spring of 2008. The planning effort included 2 open houses designed to solicit feedback on the vision and concepts for the station area.

The station area will be a safe and vibrant district at the heart of the Village. The area will serve as the center of many neighborhoods where quality of life, public amenities, affordability, and transportation choices are inherent in the design and layout of the streets, buildings, and homes. A variety of different uses including homes and apartments, stores and restaurants, and public space will serve both residents and visitors. Increased transportation choices will increase the mobility of Los Lunas’ young people, seniors and workers - resulting in a more relaxed and healthy community.

Station Area Land Use Concept

Based on the results of the community outreach process, opportunity sites and a market study, the concept of future land use in the station area includes some retail and commercial uses in the immediate vicinity of the station. Two - to three-story mixed use buildings with residential uses over ground floor retail would create a town center feel consistent with the traditional scale of Los Lunas.

Multi-family and higher density residential will be located in other available areas near the station. The building design of new residential will complement the existing neighborhoods and the principles of TOD. These areas will develop in a way that will encourage walking to the station and the variety of different destination in the station area.  

See also:  Los Lunas market analysis  

Plan Goals and Recommendations

The draft plan include land use, open space, housing, economic development, urban design, circulation, and parking goals to help achieve the station area vision.

As one of its primary recommendations, the draft plan proposes two new land districts near the Rail Runner station. The TOD - MU (mixed use) district promotes development types supportive of transit ridership, walking and bicycling. The TOD-MU also allows mixed-use development which combines residential and commercial uses and creates activity throughout the day in order to support local businesses and keep streets safe and attractive.

The TOD – R (residential) provides for residential uses that support the TOD-MU, while protecting the character of surrounding residential neighborhoods. This area allows accessory apartments, duplexes, patio homes, and multi-family apartments. Design features are included to contribute to walkability and the area vision.

Both public and private actions will be needed to make the proposed improvements a reality. The plan highlights key projects and responsibilities that will need to occur over the next decade to achieve the station area vision. High priority actions include:

• Formally adopting resolutions, ordinances and policy changes for the mixed use core and residential area
• Creating a formal development mechanism
• Circulation infrastructure, including multi-modal improvements to Courthouse Road and NM314 in the vicinity of the station
• Pedestrian and bicycle improvements necessary at the intersection of Courthouse Road and NM 314