Council upholds historic designation for main house at 718 Old Santa Fe Trail; downgrades two rear casitas to non‑contributing

The Santa Fe City Council on Jan. 15 resolved a contested historic‑status review for 718 Old Santa Fe Trail, leaving the front apartment building designated as a “significant” historic structure but reversing the Historic District Review Board’s contributing designations for two casitas behind the main house.

Assistant City Attorney Frank Rubelied and Paul Durand, the city planner who brought the staff recommendation, told the council the board considered four structures on a multi‑lot property and that the legal test for a significant designation does not turn on street visibility alone. Rubelied summarized the code test: a structure must be roughly 50 years old or older, embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction and retain historic integrity; a structure also may be judged significant for association with important local persons or events.

Durand reviewed the property’s history, noting ownership by Benigno Muniz (1872–1945), a locally prominent figure who edited the Spanish‑language publication El Nuevo Mexicano and organized cultural activities including musical ensembles and fiesta events. Durand said the apartment building retains territorial‑style character and historic association with the Muniz family; those factors underpinned staff’s recommendation to retain the building’s significant status.

The property’s owner, Emily Rivera, and her agent, Lisa Martinez, described decades of family title disputes and deferred maintenance that left two small casitas in poor condition. Rivera said the family regained full ownership only in recent years and intends to live in and restore the main house, while using the casitas as rental units to help fund repairs. Historical inventories from consultants — including a long‑standing inventory and a more recent 2024 Historic Cultural Properties Inventory — produced differing assessments; the owner’s consultant urged downgrading the casitas.

Public testimony included tenants and neighbors who described long ties to the site and supported keeping the property in family ownership. City staff and the Historic Preservation Division emphasized that the Historic District Review Board followed the zoning code and local definitions when it evaluated the status of each structure; staff also noted the board completed a site visit before its March 12, 2024 hearing.

Council action: the council first voted to deny the appeal regarding the main apartment building, leaving its “significant” designation in place. The governing body then granted the appeal for casita 1 and casita 2 and designated both casitas as non‑contributing. Both motions passed on roll calls after discussion. Councilors cited staff analysis and the record in explaining their votes.

What this means: Significant designation carries stronger preservation obligations (all facades treated as primary) while contributing status is narrower (one or more primary facades designated). Non‑contributing status removes special facade protections tied to historic district review, which may ease renovation permitting for those two structures. Staff reminded the council that exceptions and design review remain available for owners seeking upgrades; the Historic District Review Board routinely considers exception requests for repairs, window replacement, and similar work.

Why it matters: The decision preserves the recognized historical significance of the main structure and its association with Benigno Muniz while reducing restrictions on the two smaller rear buildings the council found were altered and in poor repair. The outcome affects how the family can prioritize restoration and use of the property going forward.

Votes at a glance: Motion to deny appeal for main apartment building (keep significant status) — Passed (roll call). Motion to grant appeal for casita 1 and casita 2 (designate non‑contributing) — Passed (roll call).