Hearing Officer Hears Plan for 130‑Space RV Campground and Equestrian Event Center near Santa Fe Airport

Hearing Officer Taylor Hartstein heard a staff and applicant presentation on case 255230, a conceptual plan by Grand Prix de Santa Fe LLC to redevelop a 57.086‑acre parcel at 87 South Polo Drive into a 130‑space RV campground and equestrian event center to be built in three phases.

Staff Building and Development Review Specialist Senior Kimberly Serrano told the hearing officer that staff had reviewed the proposal against the Sustainable Land Development Code and recommended approval of the conceptual plan and adoption of the plan‑development district’s use matrix, subject to conditions entered into the record. Serrano said some agency reviews were pending and that the Santa Fe County Planning Commission “may be holding a public hearing on this matter on 01/15/2026.”

Agent Jennifer Jenkins of Jenkins Gavin described the three phases: Phase 1 would expand existing RV spaces to 50 total; Phase 2 would add 68 RV spaces, a new bath/laundry/office building and an on‑site wastewater treatment plant (replacing the existing septic); and Phase 3 would add 12 plumbed “glamping” cottages. Jenkins said the project would retain equestrian and event uses on portions of the property and would include RV storage, dog‑recreation space and outdoor amenity areas.

Jenkins also described utilities and water use. She said the property is served by the Hagerman Well and that Grand Prix and Santa Fe County hold joint tenancy in the well property. “At full build out, we’re proposing a water budget of 17.8 acre‑feet per year, which is a 70% reduction from the maximum water use that has been experienced on the property,” Jenkins said. She added that an existing permit covers Phase 1 (up to 50 RV spaces) and that the project team has submitted a preliminary engineering report for the proposed wastewater system to the New Mexico Environment Department for review.

The applicant presented a traffic study conducted to county scope that analyzed nearby intersections and reported acceptable levels of service in the build condition. Jenkins said the project team worked with the county fire department on a fire protection approach, plans to use existing water storage tanks and to install a draft hydrant to provide roughly 30,000 gallons of accessible firefighting storage.

Hearing Officer Hartstein asked whether the facility is intended for transient stays or long‑term residency; Jenkins replied the proposal is transient in character—“like a hotel”—and that permanent residency would require an amendment to the development plan. Hartstein also confirmed that staff had placed the water budget in Exhibit H and that the applicant had engaged with the New Mexico Environment Department on permitting details.

No members of the public spoke on the application. Hartstein accepted the staff report and exhibits into the record and considered the matter submitted; he said he would issue written findings of fact and conclusions of law with a recommendation within 15 business days.

Next steps: staff recommended approval subject to the listed conditions and the hearing officer will produce a written recommendation. The Santa Fe County Planning Commission may hold a public hearing on or about January 15, 2026, as noted in the record.