Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Residential‑development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board conditionally approves Windmill Hill house at 643 Garcia Street
Summary
The Historic Districts Review Board approved a 4,668‑square‑foot residence at 643 Garcia Street (Windmill Hill subdivision) with conditions on corner radius, window recesses and exterior trim to maintain compatibility with nearby historic properties.
The Santa Fe Historic Districts Review Board on Sept. 23 approved a proposed 4,668‑square‑foot single‑family residence at 643 Garcia Street in the Windmill Hill subdivision, subject to conditions addressing corner radius, window recess depth and exterior trim color.
Staff described the project as tiered masses in a Spanish‑Pueblo Revival idiom, with a cistern for landscape irrigation and Santa Fe River cobble used on selected walls. Staff recommended approval under Section 14‑5.2(d) (general design standards for historic districts) and Section 14‑5.2(e) (Downtown and East Side design standards).
Graham Hogan, the project architect, said the design seeks to minimize perceived height and to read as a low, massed house on the sloped site. "We wanted to make the house read, like, a 1‑story house, basically," Hogan told the board while describing tiered masses, a recessed living room and deeply recessed windows intended to emphasize the building’s massing.
Multiple neighbors spoke in support. Bill Hitchcock and other nearby residents said the lot is effectively concealed behind an eight‑foot privacy fence and that the applicant had worked with neighbors on design details.
During discussion board members and staff negotiated three clarifications that were included in the approving motion: a minimum bullnose (rounded) corner radius of 2½ inches, use of wood‑clad garage doors with a clear finish, and a window/door trim color lighter than black (applicant to propose bronze or similar; final color to be approved by staff). The applicant also confirmed the intention to keep deep window recesses and to keep the building’s public facades minimally glazed, as required where facades are publicly visible.
Member Glenn Muñoz moved to approve case 2025010946 HDRB at 643 Garcia Street with the clarifications described above; the motion carried by roll call.
Votes at a glance: Motion to approve 2025010946 HDRB (643 Garcia Street) — Mover: Member Glenn Muñoz; Second: Member Degnan; Roll call: Member Aguilar Medrano — yes; Member Degnan — yes; Member Mather — yes; Member Cherry — yes; Vice Chair Ben Vanu — yes; Outcome: approved with conditions.
Staff will review final trim color and any low‑profile rooftop appurtenances during permit review to ensure conformance with the board’s conditions.
