Santa Fe committee approves resolution to pursue micro community at 2395 Richards Ave

The Santa Fe City Council Quality of Life Committee voted to direct city staff to begin steps to establish a micro community on city property at 2395 Richards Avenue, including land‑use permitting, site preparation and neighborhood engagement, the committee decided Wednesday night.

The resolution, sponsored by Mayor Alan Weber and several councilors, passed on a roll‑call voice vote after discussion and public comment. Committee members said the approval starts a process that will include further community outreach and design work before any site is built.

The resolution directs the city manager and designated staff to “take immediate necessary steps to require and establish a micro community on city property,” including permitting, site preparation and community engagement, Director Henry Hammond Paul said. He framed the measure as the start of a site‑specific process rather than an immediate buildout.

The committee heard four public commenters before the item. Resident Matt Johns urged the city to include surrounding public‑area camera monitoring at the site, saying, “For a site of this nature, camera coverage is an operational standard.” Erica Kidd, who said she works for Saint Elizabeth’s Shelters and Supportive Housing, described micro communities as one piece of a larger housing response. Supportive housing case manager Lisa Bloom said she “completely support[s] the micro communities.” Chaplain Joe Dudziak, who runs an outreach group, said pallet homes give people “an address, so to speak,” that helps outreach workers locate residents.

Director Henry Hammond Paul provided outcome data from the city’s pilot micro community at Arroyo Chamizo. As of May 28, 2025, he said, the site had served 36 individuals who averaged about 68 months of homelessness. Nine of those 36 had moved into permanent housing; two had active housing vouchers and were on waiting lists to use them; three had qualified for permanent supportive housing and were on a waiting list; and six more were on wait lists — a total the director described as roughly 72% of the 36 people either rehoused or in active housing pipelines.

Council members debated timing and sequencing of public engagement. Councilor Michael Garcia said he supports pallet shelter communities in principle but criticized the city’s sequence, arguing community engagement should come before advancing a site proposal on city property because public property “is the public’s property” and neighbors should have a front‑end role. “When you engage the public after a decision is made, you’re going to bring fewer stakeholders to the table,” he said.

Other council members said public engagement can be more productive after staff and the governing body identify a proposed site. Councilor Castro said earlier virtual early‑neighborhood‑notification meetings reduced participation and said future ENNs should be in person; Director Hammond Paul said staff is planning an in‑person town hall on July 1 and that a governing‑body vote is scheduled for the 11th.

Committee members pressed for operational details that staff said will be addressed during the site‑specific process: whether drug use would be allowed (Hammond Paul said drug use would not be permissible for families, and operators set site rules), whether a lifespan or reauthorization period could be added (staff said the governing body could amend timelines and must remain accountable through review periods), and what metrics will define success (Hammond Paul recommended tracking public safety responses and the share of residents moving into permanent housing).

The committee asked that staff design a community engagement process for the site; Director Hammond Paul said staff will work with Davenport Construction, which is contracted to help with notification and engagement work for the project. The resolution passed after a roll call in which Councilor Castro, Councilor Michael Garcia, Councilor Lee Garcia and Chair Amanda Chavez voted yes.

The committee’s action does not itself authorize construction. The resolution starts a city‑led permitting, engagement and design process and sets the item to move to the governing body for final action.

Public meetings are scheduled for further input: staff said a town hall on the proposal is planned for July 1 and additional governing‑body consideration will follow.