Santa Fe City Council hears public comment on comprehensive Chapter 14 rewrite; no action taken

The Santa Fe City Council took public comment on a proposed repeal and replacement of Chapter 14 of the Land Development Code (Bill 2024‑17 / Ordinance 2025‑TBD) during a meeting in which no formal action was taken.

Director Heather Lamboy, who introduced the effort, told the council the rewrite—labeled Phase 1—was intended to improve clarity and administration of nearly 700 pages of rules and to create a foundation for subsequent policy changes. “I’m excited to bring phase 1 of the land development code update forward for your consideration,” Lamboy said, noting the work required contributions from city departments, advisory groups and consultants.

The proposal, as read into the record by the clerk, contains more than 40 substantive changes and reorganizations. Staff described the package as a mix of organizational edits and targeted policy shifts, including changes to historic‑preservation review, archaeological permitting, building heights and densities, parking requirements, and new incentives intended to spur affordable and “missing middle” housing.

Why it matters: The rewrite would alter how the city regulates where and how housing, businesses and public improvements are built. Supporters told the council the incentives and administrative changes are designed to reduce cost and delay for projects that include affordable units; opponents and some residents said neighborhoods deserve a stronger role in later phases.

Key provisions and staff descriptions - The bill would repeal and replace SFCC 1987 Chapter 14 and consolidate code‑violation references into a single violations section. The city clerk read the caption as Bill…