Planning commission approves 46-unit ‘all-suite’ hotel plan at former Alvord Elementary site
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Summary
The Planning Commission approved a development plan to convert the former Alvord Elementary School site into a 46-unit, all-suite hotel at 1625 Paseo del Peralta, with conditions addressing access, landscaping, archeology and building materials; the decision prompted extended public comment on murals, parking and neighborhood impacts.
The Santa Fe Planning Commission on Sept. 4 approved a development plan to build an all-suite hotel with 46 units on the former Alvord Elementary School site at 1625 Paseo del Peralta.
Staff presenter Rebecca Clauser told commissioners the site is about 2.09 acres in the Business Capital District (BCD) redevelopment subdistrict and was rezoned in 2018 under a master plan that limited certain uses and required a 25-foot no-build buffer along neighborhood edges. “The request is for the review and approval of a development plan to construct an all suite hotel containing 46 units on approximately 2.09 acres,” Clauser said, and she summarized required plan revisions, archeological clearance and utility upgrades.
The nut graf: the master plan approved in 2018 established site-specific standards for height, setbacks and allowed uses; tonight’s approval covers phase 1 — the hotel — with conditions the staff report outlined, including landscaping, updated construction drawings, water and wastewater upgrades, and the relocation/installation of fire hydrants.
Project specifics presented to the commission included three hotel buildings, on-site parking of 49 vehicular spaces and 8 bicycle spaces (both exceed minimum requirements), a gated emergency-only access point, and redevelopment that retains and reuses existing school structures where feasible. The property required archeological clearance because lot coverage exceeds 2,500 square feet; the city archaeologist granted clearance on Sept. 1, 2022, Clauser said. The project also meets the BCD point requirement of 205 points under table 14-8.7-1 and proposes territorial Santa Fe architectural style materials.
Public comment consumed substantial time. Neighbors and local arts advocates urged preservation of a long-standing youth mural on the school building. Wayne Lloyd, the project architect, read a letter from Bernie and Rosemary Menard (534 Allard Street) that said in part: “We believe the current plan to develop the site into an extended stay hotel is a reasonable use for the property.” Multiple former mural artists and neighborhood residents spoke about the mural’s history and urged that recreation of the artwork be treated as a collaborative, youth-centered process rather than a simple replication; muralist Chrissy Orr said, “The process is vitally important. It’s not just the painting.” Several commenters also requested that the developer or the city incorporate paid public parking or otherwise address long-standing employee and event parking pressure in the Railyard area.
Commissioners asked staff and the applicant questions about sidewalk widths, north-edge fencing, traffic and timing. Staff and the applicant said sidewalks along Paseo del Peralta would be replaced and widened (up to about 6–9 feet in places) and that the developer plans two new fire hydrants and utility upgrades. The applicant said construction could begin after final permit approvals and estimated permitting and construction would likely push ground-breaking into spring with a construction timeline of roughly 12–14 months.
After deliberation, a commissioner moved to approve the development plan subject to the staff-recommended conditions and technical corrections; the motion was seconded and carried by recorded vote. Commissioners recorded as voting in favor during the roll call were Commissioner Rieland, Commissioner Capen, Commissioner Smith and Commissioner McGee; the chair announced the motion passed.
The approval is limited to the phase 1 development plan; tract B (a portion of the master plan area) remains undeveloped and will need separate review if and when a proposal is filed. Staff noted that the master plan governs allowable uses and that any future owner/developer who changes the development plan would return to the commission for review. The applicant and several public speakers committed to working with neighborhood representatives on how to preserve and reinterpret the school’s historic murals as part of project implementation.
