Planning staff reports Santa Fe Forward visioning complete; land‑use code phase 1 headed to governing‑body hearing Nov. 19

Planning staff updated the Board of Adjustment on the status of several citywide planning initiatives, including the Santa Fe Forward process and the city’s land development code update.

A staff presenter said, "The Santa Fe Forward project is marching along, and we have finished our visioning phase," and pointed board members to a comprehensive assessment report online at santafeforward.org. Staff said the project will enter scenario planning and that staff will present findings to technical working groups and the Planning Commission.

With respect to the land development code update, staff reported that boards and commissions and council committees have reviewed phase 1 and generally recommended approval; a final governing‑body hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19. Staff said phase 2 will be narrower in scope and previewed topics including updated street‑design guidelines (including bicycle infrastructure), wildland‑urban interface standards (with support from Headwaters Economics), and proposed rules or clarifications for massage‑parlor businesses to address enforcement and public‑safety concerns raised by police.

Staff said there will be additional public outreach (an engagement meeting on Dec. 4) and that the project team will publish an implementation map tied to the Capital Improvements Plan to show projected investments over the next three to five years. Staff encouraged board members and the public to review the online materials and said staff can circulate links by email upon request.