Santa Fe boards back broad Land Development Code update but HDRB demands historic-style standards be retained

Santa Fe ' The city's Archaeological Review Committee on Oct. 14 voted to recommend the Phase 1 Land Development Code update to the governing body, while the Historic Districts Review Board (HDRB) approved a separate recommendation that would retain the current historic-style provisions in Chapter 14 and defer substantive style changes to Phase 2.

The joint meeting, held in hybrid format, focused on a sweeping draft ordinance (bill 2024-17 / ordinance 2025, adoption TBD) that would repeal and replace Santa Fe City Code Chapter 14 (the Land Development Code). Staff described Phase 1 as a cleanup and reorganization that also includes several substantive items, including new affordability incentives, adjustments to permitted building heights, reorganized use tables, updated parking and electric vehicle requirements, and revisions to archaeological clearance triggers.

Heather Lamboy, the city planning director leading the update, told the boards the project was introduced to the governing body in early October and that "we had approximately an hour and 15 minutes of public testimony on October 9." Lamboy said Phase 1 lays foundation work and that unresolved or larger policy items would be addressed in subsequent phases.

Why it matters: The update is intended to simplify and modernize a structure last comprehensively revised in 1987 and to add incentives aimed at encouraging affordable and "missing middle" housing. At the same time, members of the public and several HDRB members warned that some of the draft language substantially changes historic-district design guidance and could affect the character long associated with Santa Fe.

What the committees did

- Archaeological Review Committee: Member Gayla Bechtel moved that the committee "recommend these changes to the governing body." The motion was seconded…