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Historic districts board approves pergola additions at 416 Societe Lane
Summary
The Santa Fe Historic Districts Review Board unanimously approved two pergola/portal additions at 416 Societe Lane after staff found the proposal met design and zoning standards; public comment raised questions about square footage and visibility, but staff said the project complies with zoning and PZR approvals.
Acting Chair John Bienvenu and the City of Santa Fe Historic Districts Review Board on March 25 approved a permit for pergola/portal additions at 416 Societe Lane, a house listed as noncontributing in the Downtown and East Side Historic District.
Staff planner Paul Duran told the board the main house, built in 1946 and described as Spanish Pueblo vernacular, would receive a 497-square-foot portal addition on the northeast side and a smaller 70-square-foot pergola at the rear. "Staff recommends approval of the proposed project and finds that the application complies with section 14-5.2(d) general design standards for all historic districts, and 14-5.2(e) Downtown and East Side design standards," Duran said.
The applicant, sworn in as Oak Knackton, said caps or drip-edge metal would be used to protect exposed wood beams and described the pergola work as routine maintenance and repair. "We played by all of the city code ... rules, so we should be fine," he told the board.
During public comment, resident Stephanie Benonato asked whether the pergola footprint pushed building coverage beyond zoning limits and whether the roof material would be a continuous sheet or individual metal caps on beams. Duran said planning staff reviewed the parcel’s PZR and confirmed the house remains under the applicable square‑footage limit (reported by staff at about 39.3 percent) and that the metal would be attached per beam rather than a continuous roof.
Board members exchanged a few clarifying questions—on drip-edge material and attachment method—then moved to approve. Member Aguilar Medrano made the motion to approve the application as submitted; the roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval from the members present.
The board’s approval was limited to the materials and drawings presented; applicants will proceed to building-permit review and must follow any conditions recorded in the staff report and the board’s vote.
