Planning Commission approves Caja Del Oro Phase 2 final plat for 44-home subdivision

The Santa Fe Planning Commission approved the final subdivision plat for phase 2 of the Caja Del Oro development at its meeting, voting to accept staff-recommended conditions and technical corrections for case 20226013.

Staff presented the final plat, describing a 44-lot phase 2 that—in combination with phase 1—will total 80 single-family homes on roughly 16 acres; phase 2 itself occupies about 9 acres. The staff report said 34 of the units will be market-rate and 10 will be designated affordable. The final plat tracks the previously approved development plan and complies with the open-space standard in ordinance 14-7.5, staff said.

Claudia Cath, the case planner, told commissioners the applicant had held early neighborhood notifications in May and August 2021, initially proposed 88 units, and reduced that number back to 80 after planning commission comments. Staff reported that the Development Review Team (DRT) had reviewed drainage and technical items and that an archaeological clearance from Ron Winters was included in the file.

Nathan Manzanates of NM Land Solutions, the applicant's agent, said the applicant had coordinated with multiple city staff since 2021 and stood ready to answer questions. "I'd like to thank staff. Thank Claudia. She was a very, big help in getting this over the finish line," Manzanates said.

Commissioners asked about school capacity and pedestrian connections. Commissioner Rieland asked whether Santa Fe Public Schools had provided an updated capacity letter; Cath said the existing letter remains in the file for this ongoing project and staff did not resend it for this hearing. Commissioner McGee asked about bicycle parking; Manzanates said there is no designated bike parking because the project is a single-family subdivision and bike parking is not a standard requirement, though the applicant would consider a condition if the commission requested one.

Several commissioners raised the absence of a sidewalk connection from the subdivision to nearby Romero Park. Staff and the applicant said the section of road between the development and the park lies in Santa Fe County or within rights-of-way controlled by other jurisdictions, and that constructing an off-site sidewalk would require negotiation with the county or the Metropolitan Planning Organization and any necessary easements or permissions. Staff noted the subdivision will provide sidewalks to the edge of the developer's property but that off-site connections are dependent on other jurisdictions agreeing to easements or improvements.

After discussion, a motion to approve case 20226013, Caja Del Oro Subdivision, final subdivision plat—subject to the conditions of approval and technical corrections in attachments A and B—was made and seconded. The commission recorded the following roll-call votes: Commissioner McGee — yes; Commissioner Miranda — yes; Commissioner Rieland — yes; Commissioner Capen — yes. The motion passed.

The approval requires the applicant to complete the technical corrections and conditions listed in the staff report before final plat recording. The staff report and attachments list DRT technical corrections for drainage, utilities and landscape/irrigation plans.