Developers Propose 300 Unit Mixed Use Project Near Hub City
On November 29, developers unveiled plans for a large mixed use development in the Hub City area between Los Lunas and Belen, proposing roughly 300 residential units alongside commercial space and public open areas. The proposal could expand housing supply and retail options in Valencia County, but it requires rezoning, site plan review and binding utility commitments and prompted questions about traffic, schools and infrastructure.
Developers presented a concept plan on November 29 for a mixed use project in the Hub City area that would deliver about 300 residential units, commercial space and public open areas. The site is described as sitting adjacent to major village roads that serve as key connections between Los Lunas and Belen. Planners said the development is intended to increase housing supply and broaden local retail choices, positioning the project as an economic opportunity for the village and the county.
The project is at an early stage and remains contingent on several land use approvals. The developer must secure rezoning of the parcel, pass a formal site plan review process and provide binding commitments for utilities including water and wastewater capacity. Village and county planners framed those steps as crucial to translating the concept into a buildable project, and they emphasized potential job creation and expanded tax base if the development moves forward.
Public reaction at the presentation was mixed, with residents and some councilors raising questions about traffic impacts, school capacity and the adequacy of existing infrastructure. Concerns focused on whether local roads can absorb additional vehicle trips, how enrollment pressure will be managed in schools, and what public expense would be required to extend or upgrade utilities. Those questions underscore the trade offs facing local officials as they weigh new housing against service and fiscal responsibilities.
For Valencia County residents the proposal represents both opportunity and risk. A project of this scale could help meet local housing demand and attract retail services currently limited in the Hub City corridor. At the same time it could require public investment in roads, stormwater systems and utilities and influence future planning decisions about growth patterns in the Los Lunas and Belen area.
Next steps include formal applications for rezoning and site plan approval and review of utility commitments by village and county authorities. Those processes will provide additional opportunities for public comment and for elected officials to evaluate fiscal impacts, infrastructure needs and alignment with long term land use plans.
