Santa Fe historic review board affirms property statuses, approves additions and requires garage redesigns

The Santa Fe Historic District Review Board met on May 12 and reviewed five cases, voting to retain or adjust historic statuses and to approve multiple additions while requiring design revisions on specific garage doors and a chimney setback.

The board kept the residence at 1295 Cerro Gordo listed as contributing and designated the south and east elevations as primary while, after neighbor testimony about an old retaining wall, voting to treat both retaining walls as contributing features. Staff had recommended retaining the house as contributing but flagged the planter deck stone walls as noncontributing; neighbors including David Salazar told the board that “that wall has always been a part of that neighborhood” and said family history supports treating it as part of the historic fabric. The board’s motion adopted in part staff recommendations and included the retaining walls as contributing.

On 510 Jose Street (case 2026012287HDRB) staff and the HCPI concluded mid‑20th‑century alterations had compromised the building’s integrity and recommended it remain noncontributing; the board adopted that recommendation after a neighbor, Catherine Rivera, told the board she is familiar with the property’s history and supported staff’s findings.

The board approved a 440‑square‑foot addition at 519 East Palace Avenue (case 2026012283HDRB) as submitted but asked staff to investigate a separate concern about a metal gate that appears in record photographs in place of an earlier approved wood gate. Architect Martin Acton described the addition as “really invisible back there” and the board asked staff to follow up on whether the gate conforms to prior approvals.

At 539 Garcia Street (case 2025011550HDRB), the board approved the project overall but excluded the proposed garage‑door conversion from final approval, requiring revised drawings for the garage door to ensure the replacement “reads as a garage door” rather than an all‑glass wall. Online commenter Stephanie Benonato urged the board to avoid approving a glass wall behind doors, saying she feared an all‑glass treatment would not “read like a garage.” The board conditioned approval on returning with a redesigned garage door and materials consistent with the district’s character.

On 532 Kaikordova (case 2026012286HDRB) the board approved proposed new construction and accessory changes, including a casita and garage conversion to a studio, with a condition that the applicant move the proposed chimney off the primary facade so it meets the 10‑foot setback requirement; applicant representatives confirmed neighbors support a 6‑foot yard wall and agreed to relocate or offset the chimney as requested.

Votes at a glance
- Case 2026012282HDRB (1295 Cerro Gordo): Motion to adopt in part staff recommendations and designate retaining walls as contributing — motion passed (board announced approval).
- Case 2026012287HDRB (510 Jose Street): Motion to retain noncontributing status — motion passed on roll call.
- Case 2026012283HDRB (519 East Palace Avenue): Motion to adopt staff recommendations and approve the addition, with follow‑up on an existing metal gate — motion passed.
- Case 2025011550HDRB (539 Garcia Street): Motion to approve project except garage door replacement; garage detail to return as a redesign — motion passed.
- Case 2026012286HDRB (532 Kaikordova): Motion to approve with condition that chimney be relocated to satisfy 10‑foot separation from the primary facade — motion passed.

Why it matters
The board’s decisions will shape how several properties display their historic character on the street. Requiring applicants to return with garage‑door details and to move an added chimney reflects the board’s focus on ensuring new work reads as compatible with historic garage forms and primary facades. Several neighbors provided sworn testimony, emphasizing local knowledge about when walls and features were constructed and urging the board to preserve elements they consider part of the historic streetscape.

What’s next
The board scheduled its next meeting at the Main Library (145 Washington Avenue) and reminded attendees about the Santa Fe Heritage Preservation Awards ceremony on May 21 at San Miguel Chapel with a reception at El Zuguan. Applicants required to revise garage details or adjust designs will return to the board for further review.