Santa Fe County planning staff recommends La Bahata community plan for BCC adoption

Santa Fe County planning staff on Wednesday asked the Planning Commission to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the 2025 Village of La Bahata Community Plan.

The plan, produced in coordination with a village planning committee, documents existing conditions, future land-use guidance and implementation steps aimed at preserving La Bahata’s rural, agricultural character while supporting limited infrastructure and economic opportunities. Staff requested the commission’s recommendation to forward the plan to the BCC for final action.

Joseph, a planner with Santa Fe County’s Planning Division, told the commission the village is “a rural unincorporated community located in Santa Fe County” and that the plan grew from a community-initiated process that began with a letter of intent in April 2017. Joseph said the village lies entirely within the Pueblo de Cochiti boundary and that the Santa Fe River flows through La Bahata “before reaching Cochiti Lake.” He described the population as “approximately 26 residents” and said the plan is organized into an introduction, SGMP‑aligned plan elements and an implementation section that compiles goals, strategies and actions.

The presentation highlighted priorities carried forward by the La Bahata planning committee: verification of community boundaries via a cadastral survey, rural road maintenance and access concerns for La Bahata Road (an easement granted by Pueblo de Cochiti in 1983), protection of farmland and traditional acequia irrigation, a rural agricultural overlay and a smaller rural commercial overlay to support local, village‑scale commerce. Joseph also said the plan includes actions to support a weekly farmers market, conversion of an existing building to a community center/food processing space and “expansion of broadband access through partnerships and providers and grant programs.”

Joseph told commissioners the plan’s consistency review with the Santa Fe County Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP) was completed and that two public meetings were held for the village — one in November and another the prior month — and that this Planning Commission hearing was the plan’s first of two required public hearings before going to the BCC in early July. “We request recommendation for approval to the BCC of the 2025 Village Of La Bahata Community Plan,” Joseph said.

Commissioners praised the community‑driven work. Commissioner Pava said he was “very impressed” and noted the plan’s deep historical documentation. Commissioner Bruegger asked whether staff would draft the community district overlay that implements the plan; Joseph replied that planning staff would work with the La Bahata planning committee on one or several overlays within a La Bahata Community Overlay. Commissioner Bruegger also asked about estimated county costs to implement plan actions; Joseph said staff had not developed cost estimates, noting many actions are expected to be community‑led or intergovernmental efforts and that some implementation could pursue ICIP funds or grants.

Commissioners also asked about interdepartmental coordination for implementation: Joseph said public works had not been heavily involved but community development and water/wastewater and transportation planners provided input, and he encouraged bringing in relevant operations staff when the BCC and planning staff move into implementation phases.

The Planning Commission voted in roll call to recommend approval to the BCC; staff then indicated the plan will be scheduled for BCC consideration in early July.