Pleasant Street neighbors press city to overhaul license outreach after Santa Fe College street‑closure plans

Neighbors of the Pleasant Street neighborhood raised repeated objections on Nov. 6 to a license agreement executed between Santa Fe College and the city that would allow closure of portions of NW 5th Street for an automotive technology center. Public commenters described finding out after the contract was executed and warned of access disruptions for residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

Resident Carolyn Cosby Edwards told the commission she lives a block from the proposed site and that, while she supports training and job opportunities for young people, the neighborhood felt "sprung on" by the process and insufficiently notified. Other residents described proposed permanent closures, 24/7 gate use and changes to bicycle and pedestrian routing that they said differed from the signed agreement.

Commissioners acknowledged gaps in notice and outreach. Several called for aligning license agreements that materially affect neighborhoods with the land development code’s neighborhood workshop and notification steps. Commissioner Willits moved to direct staff to amend the real property policy so that long‑term license agreements use the same notification processes as right‑of‑way vacations and similar actions; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff said changes would likely be drafted as an amendment to the real property policy and returned to commission for approval; the city manager indicated staff would bring a proposed amendment back for a future General Policy Committee or commission meeting.

Next steps: staff to draft an amendment to the real property policy aligning public notification requirements with the land development code and return with a proposed ordinance or administrative policy change for commission consideration.