BPAC asks MPO to seek city staff engagement so committee can review major projects and restriping plans earlier

Members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocacy Committee on Feb. 12 voted to ask the Santa Fe MPO representative to contact city staff and report back on ways BPAC can receive earlier notice and input on major development reviews and pavement/striping projects.

Member Steve Pilcher framed the request as two related priorities: getting BPAC involved earlier in development review processes that affect adjacent right-of-way, and establishing a channel to review street resurfacing and restriping projects (Airport Road was cited as an immediate example). “How can BPAC get involved earlier in the process of reviewing any type of major development project or even smaller development projects that impact the adjacent right-of-way?” Pilcher asked.

Staff explained that pavement-rehabilitation and restriping responsibilities moved between divisions and that an interim division director is in place; staff offered to invite the interim division director or the consultant doing conceptual restriping for Airport Road to present to BPAC. Eric Ani (Santa Fe MPO) agreed to contact city staff, gather information on current notification triggers (DRT/ICIP/ENN) and report back to BPAC. The committee then adopted a motion directing Ani to contact city staff and return with feedback at the next meeting; the motion passed on a roll-call vote.

Members identified practical follow-up steps, including reviewing how early-neighborhood-notification (ENN) and development-review triggers are used and whether BPAC can be added to relevant mailing lists or be provided plans for review by the technical review subcommittee. Staff suggested that, given recent turnover in public-works leadership, getting the new division leads to commit to collaboration would be a priority.

The motion does not change BPAC’s advisory role but seeks to improve staff workflows so the committee can provide input earlier in project and striping decisions.