Planning Commission recommends Phase 1 Land Development Code update after months of public outreach; historic board requests hold on design standards

Planning staff presented the Phase 1 update to Santa Fe’s Land Development Code (LDC) at the Planning Commission meeting on Oct. 16, calling the rewrite the result of more than two years of public engagement and technical review.

"This update of the code has, is the culmination of over 2 years of public engagement, community input, citywide staff review, and direction from city leadership," Maggie Moore told the commission. The presentation described a repeal‑and‑replace organization that consolidates district regulations, clarifies use tables, and reorganizes development and design standards to make the code easier to use.

Why it matters: The last comprehensive code rewrite dated to 1987, and planners said piecemeal amendments left the code layered, contradictory and hard to interpret. Phase 1 focuses on clarity, reorganizing zoning district information into consolidated tables and maps; simplifying permitted‑use tables; consolidating development procedures; and adding targeted incentives to encourage affordable and “missing middle” housing.

Key proposals staff highlighted include: - Consolidation of zoning district information into…