Council delays final action on micro-community at 2395 Richards Avenue, sends proposal to Quality of Life committee

The Santa Fe City Council voted to send a resolution identifying city property at 2395 Richards Avenue as a location for a micro-community for people experiencing homelessness to the council’s Quality of Life Committee for additional review.

Councilors debated whether the item should follow the usual committee process or be taken up quickly at a special governing-body meeting. Councilor (Garcia) moved to send the proposal to the June 4 Quality of Life Committee; the motion was seconded and later approved by the governing body. Mayor Pro Tem Lindell and several councilors stressed that committee review would provide more opportunities for public input and oversight.

The resolution, sponsored by Mayor Alan Weber, Councilor Jamie Cassatt, Councilor Alma Castro and Councilor Amanda Chavez, would designate 2395 Richards Avenue as a site for a “micro community” intended to provide shelter and supportive services. Councilors opposing the expedited path argued the topic is a quality-of-life matter that should pass through Quality of Life and Finance committees before final passage so residents can weigh in and staff can present detailed plans.

Council discussion highlighted three recurring concerns: (1) the need for multiple committee hearings so the public has “three bites at the apple,” (2) the connection of the Richards property to related actions such as a proposed lease with an outside operator, and (3) the need for clear packages of information so residents can see how site selection, services and funding fit together. Councilor Faulkner pressed for scheduling through Quality of Life and Finance to allow detailed community review; Councilor Romero Worth said the special meeting on homelessness would allow focused review but acknowledged strong calls for more community engagement.

City Attorney Erin McSherry clarified that the governing body can reassign legislation to committees with jurisdiction and that the city manager sets the agenda for special meetings; committee referral would not prevent discussion at the special meeting but would preserve the formal committee review required under governing rules.

The council adopted an amendment during debate to include Franklin Miles Park in a separate Metropolitan Redevelopment Area item (related to Midtown redevelopment); staff advised that if the boundaries change the city would need to re-notice the public for final action, and the council agreed to postpone final votes where appropriate to allow required public notice.

What’s next: the Richards Avenue proposal will go to the June 4 Quality of Life Committee for review; the governing body will take subsequent votes after committee consideration and any required re-noticing. Staff and sponsors said the committee process will include neighborhood outreach, and the council asked staff to prepare clear materials tying site use, funding, and operational oversight together.

Ending: The council’s referral preserves more committee scrutiny and public input on the Richards Avenue micro-community proposal; no final land-use decision or contract award was made at the June meeting.