City of Santa Fe Plans and Studies

Teen Center Outreach Report

Earth care
november, 2019

This report, generated by Earth Care and its community leaders, is a needs survey conducted through public engagement of southside residents for a new southside community-use  teen center. “This campaign imagines the Teen Center not only as a place for young people to learn and grow and thrive but also a community space and practice at the center of civic life.” The resulting recommendations are intended to inform the program, planning, and design of the new building in Tierra Contenta, with continued input from Earth Care’s Youth Steering Committee.

Housing for All Strategy

City/County Working Group
2018

This city and county collaboration developed a rental housing strategy for Santa Fe and Santa Fe County. “Housing for All Strategy,” presented by Joseph Montoya, aims to make “5,000 rental units available to families and individuals earning 100% of the area median income or less within 5 years.” The strategy intends to spend $1 billion “to make 350 acres throughout the metro area developable and/or incentivized for infill…”. The means of production proposed include the rehabilitation of existing units, creation of accessory dwelling units, construction of new multi-family units, and expansion of existing subsidy programs. Policy recommendations are made in strategic areas including finance, zoning, land use, capacity building, and advocacy.

Land Use and Urban Design Plan

City of Santa Fe
2017 Draft

Created “to help prepare an update to the City of Santa Fe’s 1999 General Plan by looking at recent and anticipated development trends and incorporating a vision for future growth,” this document provides a summary of recent demographic and economic trends, environmental and cultural preservation measures, land use and growth management efforts, and urban design guidelines. The report ends with an extensive list of goals and policy recommendations that “reflect action needed to encourage desired development patterns, support economic strength, preserve and protect natural resources, provide fiscal direction and foster a strong, diverse and unified community.”

Santa Fe Metropolitan Pedestrian Master Plan: A Component of the Santa Fe Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2015-2040

Design Office with AOS Architects for the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization
Approved August 13, 2015

A component of the Santa Fe Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2015-2040, this plan focuses on the benefits of walkable communities, pedestrian safety, universal access, and opportunities to improve pedestrian connectivity throughout the city. Intended “to make Santa Fe a pedestrian-friendly community,” the plan identifies critical improvements needed, develops a project prioritization methodology, makes policy recommendations, provides a best practices design “toolbox,”and presents an implementation strategy. Priority is given to local residents, though tourism’s contribution to the local economy is acknowledged. The plan was the result of collaboration across various agencies, a working group, special interest groups, and a public engagement process. It is the first pedestrian specific master plan to be prepared for the entire Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Area and is anticipated to be updated every five years. 

Santa Fe Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2015-2040

Felsburg Holt & Ullevig with the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization
Adopted August 27, 2015

Considered a “basic human need,” transportation impacts our quality of life, economic prosperity, and environmental well being. Guided by a public engagement process, the plan envisions a well-connected, efficient, integrated, multimodal transportation system which increases access, efficiency, and freedom of personal mobility to everything from higher paying jobs to better schools, affordable housing, and health care. The plan considers various modes of transport, walk and bikeability, fitness, air quality, access to healthy food, traffic volume and congestion, safety, cost, demographics, employment, freight, waste, maintenance, fuel efficiency, technology, funding sources for road improvements, schedule frequency and efficiency, education, culture, sustainability, and connectivity between modes and systems. The transportation sector is acknowledged as the second largest greenhouse gas emitting sector, second to the energy sector. Chapter 5 makes recommendations toward meeting goals established through the public engagement process.

Housing Needs Assessment Update

BBC Research and Consulting for the City of Santa Fe , FINAL REPORT
March 19, 2013

This report evaluates demographic, housing, and affordability data “to show how the housing market and affordability have changed since the last HNA was conducted” in 2007. Framed by a series of city directed research questions, the report’s primary findings include: a) a modest 1% population growth between 2000 and 2010, b) a household composition shift to older, smaller, households without children, c) escalating home prices despite market decline, d) renter purchasing power decline, and e) renter and homeowner dissatisfaction with housing. It recommends policy considerations addressing each of the aforementioned indicators. 

Barrio Capital de Analco: A Living Capitol Neighborhood for Santa Fe New Mexico

Andrews University School of Architecture, 2009 Urban Design Studio 
2009 academic project

Barrio Capital de Analco is an academic project produced by the 2009 Urban Design Studio at the School of Architecture at Andrews University and was awarded a 2010 Charter of Excellence by the Congress of the New Urbanism  www.cnu.org. This project presents an opportunity for reestablishing a traditional mixed-use neighborhood, from the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) superblock south of the Santa Fe River all the way to Guadalupe street. Inspired by New Mexico’s historic neighborhoods, this study sparks a conversation about vitality, urban form, and maintaining historic character in a city where traditional zoning and sprawl have left a hole in this historic and civic center. Utilizing the framework of a form-based code, the plan envisions a walkable vibrant Capitol neighborhood - infill development replaces surface parking lots with housing, retail, office, playgrounds and greenspaces, and single-use buildings are converted to health and wellness facilities.

Northwest Quadrant Master Plan

Design Workshop • Suby Bowden + AssoCIATES • Bohannan HUSton
2009

This document envisions a 540 acre master planned community in the city’s Northwest Quadrant—a 2,770 acre undeveloped city-owned remnant of the original Spanish Land Grant. This parcel is culturally significant to the Pueblo people, a beloved community open space, and a great hope for housing close to the downtown area. The Plan, sanctioned by City Council and informed by feasibility studies and public input, focuses on increasing housing affordability, creating a dynamic and organic community fabric while employing sustainable planning and building practices, and preserving open space.

Homework: A User’s Guide to Housing Affordability in Santa Fe County

Suby Bowden + Associates
2008

This document was prepared for the Santa Fe County Affordable Housing program. Designed as a magazine, it was released to county commissioners, developers, bankers, homeowners and the general public as a way of providing high-quality information on means and methods for achieving affordable housing throughout the county. 

 An accompanying study analyzed 58 building sites in the county for potential affordable housing development. As an example, 90 new passive solar homes were proposed for the site of the Santa Fe County Public Works Department, of which 50 would be workforce owned, and 40 would be affordable rental units with additional community amenities.

Santa Fe Downtown Vision Plan (Steering Committee Approved Draft)

Consultant team lead by Crandall Arambula for the City of Santa Fe
2007

The Downtown Vision Plan provides a strategy to preserve the character of downtown in the face of inevitable change and a framework to allow for appropriate growth and redevelopment within the 300 acre Downtown Study Area (Paseo de Peralta loop and Guadalupe). The visions and goals of this planning effort reflect the preference of citizen participants in the public planning process. These elements  include enhancing the focal point of the Plaza, Santa Fe River and the public realm, increasing local-serving retail, increasing local-serving housing, expanding employment, promoting sustainability, increasing parking and access to transportation, expand programs for arts and creativity, and maintaining the vitality of the downtown neighborhood which is safe and welcoming to all at any hour. The document urges that new development and redeveloped areas adhere to clearly defined standards of character and architectural style, and makes policy recommendations to strengthen and close gaps in existing regulatory documents. 

Southwest Santa Fe Community Area Master Plan

City of Santa Fe
2005

This Plan addresses the southwest area of Santa Fe, over 5100 acres, with widely diverse uses and densities. A collaboration between city and county planning departments and governments, the plan recommends that  neighborhoods should be varied in lot size and building style, walkable and safely connected to commercial areas and to each other with institutions dispersed throughout. As such this plan is a framework for future neighborhood development patterns, land use, connections and movement patterns. The version available here is a preliminary draft.

Cultivating Santa Fe’s Future Economy: Economic Development Strategy

Angelou Economics for the City of Santa Fe (Mayor Larry Delgado)
April 2004

This report is described as  “a roadmap for Santa Fe’s future economic development efforts.” After conducting a community assessment, documenting the strengths and weaknesses of Santa Fe’s current economy, the group identifies target industries and benchmarks in framing a 5-Year Strategic Plan. Among the industries identified for promotion and development are Arts and Culture; Design; Hospitality; Water Conservation and Clean Energy Technologies; Software Development; Publishing and New Media; and Outdoor Gear Apparel. The report recommends focusing on cultivating a small entrepreneurial business climate that complements Santa Fe’s unique history and character rather than aiming to recruit large companies.

An Assessment of Housing Opportunities in the Greater Downtown Area 

Spears Architects with Karen Walker, real estate consultant 
February 12, 2004 for the City of Santa Fe

This study analyzes opportunities to develop housing in downtown Santa Fe. Guided by principles form the 1999 General Plan, its goal is “to maintain and encourage housing in the downtown area that reflects the diverse mix of residents of varied income levels.” Targeted at expanding housing stock for full-time residents and maintaining the vibrancy and historic character of downtown, it considers how infill housing development and compact form may promote livability, decrease automobile dependency, conserve natural resources, and preserve natural landscapes. 

Tierra Contenta Master Plan and Design Standards

Tierra Contenta Corporation
1997

The Tierra Contenta development was begun in 1993 by the City of Santa Fe. It is an award-winning mixed income development, initially with three tiers of affordable homes, encompassing 1,000+ acres on the southwest side of Santa Fe. This new community will eventually be home to 10,000 residents and contains several schools, a public library, a business incubator, a youth center and a rape crisis/trauma center and 324 acres of parks, trails and open space, connected to the larger trails system. The design of the Tierra Contenta community is intended to reflect “neo-traditional” or “new urbanism” concepts as well as the traditional development patterns of residential compounds of Santa Fe with primarily a pedestrian orientation, smaller streets, neighborhood orientation, dispersed commercial, loop roads and connected streets in lieu of cul-de-scas, and porches fronting the street. The master plan created three village centers that provide shopping, recreation and employment, with the intent of significantly reducing vehicle traffic. A bike and pedestrian trail system is organized along the Arroyo Chamiso. Planning for the last undeveloped parcels is underway.

Santa Fe River Corridor Master Plan 

Santa Fe River Task Force and Recreation Engineering and Planning for the City of Santa Fe
September 1995

The Santa Fe River Corridor Master Plan is a comprehensive proposal to develop a river corridor that restores ecological riparian function, provides opportunity for recreation, and creates connectivity along the Santa Fe River. It proposes a continuously connected greenway corridor with an off-street pedestrian and bicycle trail along the Santa Fe River from Patrick Smith park to Frenchy’s Field. The document outlines goals and makes recommendations as well as provides implementation strategies and design guidelines.

Urban Design Guidelines for the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico

A. Nelessen Associates Inc. with Spears Architects
April, 1993

This planning document arose in reaction to automobile-oriented land use and circulation patterns resulting from new development and growth outside of Santa Fe’s historic downtown. While planning documents aimed to preserve the unique historic character of Santa Fe’s charming narrow streets, current land development policy struggled to enforce an “appropriate expression” of small town form in recent developments. Cited is a lack of coordination, and thus, “a lack of overall framework establishing the appropriateness or inappropriateness of any particular combination of street type and land use.” The goal of this study is to examine public perception, current regulations, street design standards, and planning documents, to inform future Code revisions. The resulting design guidelines proposed are intended to re-establish “the balance between contemporary requirements and local character.

Downtown Urban Design Plan: An amendment to the Santa Fe General Plan 

Urban Design Subcommittee, in conjunction with
City Planning and Public Works Staff
1992

This amendment to the General Plan (1978 NMSA) establishes a design guideline for maintaining a cohesive aesthetic in the public domain of Downtown Santa Fe through incremental public improvements. The intent of the Plan is to assure that all public right-of-way improvements, including streetscapes, lighting, parks, trails, and public amenities, “be designed to retain and to preserve Santa Fe’s unique architectural, historical and visual character,” and encourage universal access. The plan was adopted by the Urban Policy Committee of the Planning Commissions, December 15, 1992, and by the City Council April 28, 1993 under Mayor Sam Pick, and Planning Division Director Dennis Thompson.

Escarpment Ordinance Handbook: A Guide To Architectural Design And Site Planning Standards In The Escarpment Overlay District

The City of Santa Fe
Ordinance amended by City Council—February 26, 1992

At the request of City Council in February 1991, a subcommittee was formed to “recommend design standards that would reduce the visibility of structures and… eliminate development on ridgetops.” The resulting document is “designed to clarify, explain and expedite the use and enforcement of the Escarpment Overlay District Ordinance,” whose purpose and intent is “to preserve the natural environment; to retain the distinctive and historic ridgetop and foothills area as a visual asset for the benefit of the entire community; and to maintain and to preserve the character of the city as a small community.” Proposed amendments include: location of structures and buildable sites to reduce visual impact, giving preference to foothill locations and locations furthest removed from the viewline; subdivisions to provide building sites outside of the ridgetop for each lot created; standards for building height, roof type, materials, exterior lighting; regulation of maximum lot coverage coverage; and requirement of landscape screening.

Architectural Design Review Handbook

The City of Santa Fe
Winter 1990

This handbook, developed by the City of Santa Fe, serves as a guide to architectural design and site planning standards established by the Architectural Design Review Ordinance. Its goal is “to clarify, explain and expedite the use and enforcement of Santa Fe’s Architectural Design Review Ordinance,” which was adopted by City Council on May 25, 1988. As described in the handbook, “the purpose and intent of the Architectural Design Review Ordinance is to preserve and promote Santa Fe’s unique cultural heritage, district visual character, and regional architectural traditions,” including massing, roof form, material, texture, and color. The Ordinance also aims to create a cohesive architectural style throughout the city and “prevent the southwest portion of the city from becoming architecturally divorced from the historic downtown and eastern sections.”

The Business Capitol District Handbook: A Guide To Development Objectives And Regulations In Santa Fe’s Business Capitol District 

City of Santa Fe
Winter, 1990

This handbook is a guide to the design standards  for renovation and new construction set forth in the Business Capitol District Ordinance. Developed as a means to preserve both the economic viability and the unique character of each of the 15 BCD “Townscape Subdistricts,” the handbook provides insight as to the intent behind the design standards. Regulations include permitted uses and zoning, limitation to drive-in uses, maximum land-use intensity, off-street parking and loading, and signage.

Eastside Historic Streetscapes by Department: An Analysis of Corridors and Adjacent Settlement Patterns in Santa Fe’s Core Historic District

Marlys Bush Thurber, City of Santa Fe Planning 
1989

Funded by a grant from the National Park Service through the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office, this report focuses on “generalized concepts which describe circulation and settlement patterns determined by naturally occurring and designed elements found on Santa Fe’s historic east side.” The study analyzes the origin and form and provides examples of various corridor or settlement categories, including; trail, avenue, lane, parkway, major arterial, and village, compound, subdivision, estate and anomalies (or settlements which resist classification.) It defines  the “streetscape” as “a combination of physical elements and less tangible qualities a pedestrian or driver views from the public way” and documents, in great detail, qualities of street typologies in the Historic East Side neighborhood. 

Santa Fe Historic Neighborhood Study

Corinne P. Sze and Beverley Spears,
with Boyd Pratt and Linda Tigges for the City of Santa Fe
1988

This study provides the historic context and defining architectural and streetscape features for Santa Fe’s thirteen historic downtown neighborhoods. In 1985 an architectural/historic building survey was conducted on behalf of the city  which documented individual structures throughout the districts. In response, “the present study provides a context for these structures by delineating the development of the neighborhoods of which they are a part.” While the document provides detailed descriptions, photographs, and maps, it does not make policy recommendations. The reader is referred to other neighborhood specific studies (Guadalupe Neighborhood Historical Survey (1981), Don Gaspar Architectural Historic Survey (1983), Camino del Monte Sol Historic Survey (1984); and the Historical District Handbook for more information.

Westside-Guadalupe Streetscape and Design Ordinance Report

Beverley Spears
March 1, 1987

“The purpose of this study is to recommend modifications for  the design standards for the Westside—Guadalupe Historic District and the Westside Subdistrict of the Business Capitol District. The recommendations are intended to greater reflect the traditional character of the neighborhood, and to recognize the unique architectural and streetscape elements of that particular area.” The report describes the physical characteristics of the built environment which defines this district, it outlines the development history, zoning, and current planning efforts, and it makes recommendations to current regulatory documents.

Historical District Handbook: A Guide to Architectural Preservation and Design Regulations in Santa Fe’s  Five Historic Districts

City of Santa Fe
Summer 1986

This document provides historical context and guidance for development within Santa Fe’s five historic districts, as designated by the Historical District Ordinance. The Ordinance, which was adopted in 1957 and revised in 1983, “regulates new construction, renovation and demolition in the historic downtown and southeastern parts of the City. The intent  of the Ordinance is both to preserve the district’s historic buildings and to encourage new construction that is similar in style form and materials.” The guide details the characteristics and design standards of the five historic districts and outlines procedures for design review and permit approval.

Camino Del Monte Sol Architectural Historic Survey

Michael Belshaw, Ph.D.
1984 for the City of Santa Fe (Harry Moul Planning Director, Linda Tigges Project Coordinator)

The aim of this architectural survey, conducted during the summer of 1983,  is to  “determine what portions of Camino del Monte Sol and its environs… meet the criteria that would allow designation as an Historic District to the National Register.” Belshaw documents the construction date, architectural style, details, and craftsmanship of over 200 structures. The author determines the historic significance of the district, which was infilled in the 1920s and flourished in the 1930s,  and represents notable Pueblo-Revival architecture.

Guadalupe Neighborhood Historic Survey 

Earl Cordova for the City of Santa Fe
April, 1981

In response to major historic preservation efforts focused on the Downtown and Eastside, this document describes the need to preserve historically significant elements within the then unprotected Guadalupe Neighborhood. Originally a hispanic farming community dotted along the Santa Fe River, the neighborhood expanded with the economic growth brought by the Camino Real,  Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe rail line, and subsequent rail development. This document builds a case to amend the current Historic Preservation Ordinance to encompass the Santa Fe Vernacular Style, exclusively within the Guadalupe district. Included is a survey of some 300 historically significant structures.

Greater Westside People’s Association Neighborhood Plan

The City of Santa Fe Planning Department
1981

Bound by Guadalupe to the east, Alameda to the north, Cerrillos Road to the south, and Baca Street to Camino Alire to the west, this district encompases the Railyard and New Mexico School for the Deaf. Historically a rural farming area served by acequias off the Santa Fe River, its development was spurred by the introduction of the rail line in 1880. This plan was initiated by the Greater Westside People’s Association to make “detailed planning recommendations” for incorporation into the City General Plan. The following recommendations were derived from a series of community meetings: zoning changes to encourage mixed-use development on St. Francis Drive, traffic and pedestrian circulation improvements to increase safety, park and affordable housing development, and expansion of Historic District designation.

Design and Preservation in Santa Fe: A Pluralistic Approach

The City of Santa Fe Planning Department with Beverly Spears and others
January 1977

Presented in this document are four articles relating the visual and physical aspects of design and architecture in Santa Fe, New Mexico in order to provide guidance to future design and planning within its historical context. The Plan traverses the sequence of the City’s development and makes recommendations for how the City may retain critical elements of its historical structure. Primer of Themes and Motifs explores various design themes and overarching principles, such as mountain views, human-scale courtyards, and labyrinth-like narrow streets, that resulted in the particular form and building style which collectively result in a cohesive urban fabric and city identity. Architecture of Santa Fe: A Survey of Styles describes the three building legacies that Santa Fe Style stems from: Pueblo Indian, Moorish-Spanish, and Anglo-European Architecture. Visual History: Townscapes and Evaluar explores the distinct feeling of various neighborhoods and their unique cultural and design characteristics throughout the City. The article provides an evaluation tool for the development suitability within those neighborhoods.

The New Mexico State Capitol 1963-1980: A Twenty Year Development Plan 

Architects Associated with Smith & Williams Architects for the New Mexico State Planning Office and the Capitol Buildings improvement Commission
(John P. Conron, David deR. Lent, Robert Plattenberg, Philippe Register, and Smith and Williams)
Approved November 16, 1962

This plan was carried out in response to growing spatial requirements within limited State government facilities. In order to inform a development strategy that would accommodate State government expansion a study of spatial needs and projections was conducted, employees were surveyed, and a comprehensive plan was formulated. Two site alternates were considered under a re-location scenario; the former penitentiary site and the Prince family property located in the foothills northeast of downtown. Ultimately, the authors of this plan, “with strong concurrence of the State Planning Office, recommended... that the Capitol be expanded about and within its existing complex.” Maintaining the campus in its current downtown location was considered necessary in order to support the economic vitality of the Plaza area as a central business district. 

The site plan provocatively illustrates a modern architectural concept inspired by regional landscape elements and structures of native peoples. Some buildings are recommended for re-use while others are slated for demolition. New buildings supporting flexible workspace and new technology weave a fabric of softened, stepped, and curvilinear walls throughout the campus. While rooted in regional culture the concept rejects the idea of historic duplication.