Planning Commission recommends La Cienega/La Cieneguilla community plan to county commissioners

The Santa Fe County Planning Commission on Nov. 20 recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve the 2025 La Cienega and La Cieneguilla Communities Plan, following a staff presentation and public comment.

Nate Krayl, senior community planner, said the draft updates carried many issues forward from the 2015 plan but reorganizes the document, adds photographs and—most notably—sets a more actionable implementation element. "Extending the water lines is the top priority for the communities," Krayl said, and he told commissioners the plan lists water‑line extension, PFAS and other contaminant remediation, fuel‑mitigation and fire/flood response, and a potential joint city‑county wastewater treatment project among the first six priorities.

Krayl said the county initiated the community planning process by resolution (Resolution 2024‑013) and spent more than a year meeting with community members; he noted a community PFAS meeting scheduled for 6:00 p.m. the same evening and described PFAS as an "emergent…huge issue in the community."

Several commissioners pressed staff on details. Commissioner Pava asked that staff recheck the data tables (table 3 on page 22) for calculation errors; Krayl agreed the tables should be reviewed. Commissioner Brugger asked for clarification about family transfers and the plan's guidance for variance requests tied to water impacts; Krayl said the plan flags possible impacts from increased density and that further community and code discussions (overlay amendments) will follow.

Multiple community representatives spoke in support. JJ Gonzales, a member of the plan's review committee, thanked staff and the La Cienega Valley Association for the update and participation. Carl Jenkins, a local water practitioner, commended the staff for an efficient process and highlighted local communication channels the community has used to mobilize on development issues.

Commissioner (speaker 8) moved that the commission recommend approval to the Board of County Commissioners; Commissioner (speaker 4) seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. The commission will forward the plan to the BCC for a second public hearing and final action, expected in December. The staff presentation and plan packet reference implementation actions tied to SLDC section 9.8 and the county Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP).