Santa Fe Planning Commission forms committees to guide general plan and land development code updates

Chair Janet Clow told the commission the Planning Commission will form two committees to guide long-range planning work: a general-plan committee and a land development code phase-2 committee. The chair announced the membership for each committee and said staff will lead both groups, provide memos and schedules, and shepherd outreach and technical work.

Clow said the general-plan committee membership includes Commissioners McGee, Smith, Capen and Barber. The land development code phase-2 committee will include Chair Janet Clow, Commissioners Miranda, Whelan and McReynolds. Clow emphasized staff expertise and that staff will draft agendas and lead committee work. Planning staff indicated the full general plan document is expected to move toward adoption in late spring to early summer, while the implementation plan will be developed through the fall.

Planning staff (Heather) described ongoing technical working-group meetings with departments and county staff and said public engagement will take place in the summer, with the commission receiving updated scenario frameworks and priorities. Commissioners requested clearer schedules for committee meetings, asked how commissioners could attend stakeholder sessions without creating a quorum, and asked staff to provide regular briefings on topics such as water and parks. Staff said it will provide meeting schedules and work with the commission to identify priorities for the code update.

Commissioners asked for a parks department overview to inform development review and for legal guidance on the factual findings that would allow the commission to deny a project that technically meets code but conflicts with neighborhood context or health and safety concerns. Staff agreed to follow up and provide resources and schedule information.