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High Priority
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Secondary Priority
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Low Priority
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Increase infill development across all districts
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Castro
Gutierrez Rivera Zamora |
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-
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Change zoning to allow for more housing supply through density
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Castro
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Gutierrez
Rivera Zamora |
-
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Ensure strong preservation standards for downtown and historic districts
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Gutierrez
Rivera Zamora |
Castro
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-
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Strengthen design standards across town to preserve city’s unique architectural style
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Zamora
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Castro
Gutierrez Rivera |
-
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Loosen parking requirements (fewer parking lots) and encourage walkability
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Castro
Gutierrez |
Zamora
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Rivera
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Zamora:
Increasing affordable middle and low income housing within the City limits of Santa Fe is my highest priority. However, this must be done in a manner that is consistent with and respectful of the style, history, and traditions of Santa Fe as well as consistent with and respectful of each neighborhood’s unique characteristics. As a community, we need to have the difficult conversations regarding density, height, and location as we balance today’s needs to address sustainability and climate change issues. Born and raised in Santa Fe (and a bit of an old soul), I want to preserve our history and architectural character, while providing opportunities for all our descendants to work and raise their families in our community. Rivera:
Reducing sprawl wherever possible should be the main objective. View corridors are important to Santa Fe’s distinctive character and their protection should also be a priority. Gutierrez:
When city completed the last annexation mistakes were made. Properties were given a zoning of mixed use with out making sure adequate infrastructure was accessible . Mixed use zoning will use more water and more wastewater, as opposed to a different zoning category. Default zoning issued by the city has been a mistake. This mistake must not be repeated . The stricter the design standard the more money spent to achieve those standards. As Santa Fe grows services should grow equally . More expensive space makes it harder for businesses to succeed. Castro:
Though I love our city's aesthetic, strengthening design standards across town is near impossible, since some parts of town have never fit the city's traditional architectural style. |
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Most Important
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Second Most Important
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Natural landscape and climate
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Castro
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Quality of shopping and restaurants
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Cultural traditions and events
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Historic downtown and its environment
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Rivera
Zamora |
Gutierrez
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The arts, including art markets, galleries, music and theater arts
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Gutierrez
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Rivera
Zamora Castro |
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Gutierrez:
Very important. Google Santa Fe or Santa Fe Plaza most images default to downtown. Walk downtown during the high tourist season and what do you see? Visitors waling the plaza. A majority of those visitors also have either their phone out, or an expensive camera taking pictures. Tourist come to see, dine, shop, and enjoy the downtown area of Santa Fe. Zamora:
It is essential that the historic downtown and surrounding area remain relevant to the local community–this is where continual work is needed. As recently as the late 1960’s, downtown was the commercial business center of the city serving local needs. Now, downtown is highly tourism and visitor-focused–yet remains an economic engine for our city. Imagination and creativity is needed to attract the local community to re-experience, re-engage, and emotionally reinvest in the City’s historic downtown. We rely on emotional and monetary preservation of our historic downtown not only for Santa Feans, but also for our visitors who fuel our economic engine. Castro:
The Santa Fe plaza and its surrounding area are not only economically beneficial, but they also foster a strong sense of community. The area's historical significance as one of the oldest cities in the United States, and its historic buildings and landmarks makes it one of a kind. In many other places, the historic downtown area has been replaced by modern development and few local residents. This can lead to a loss of identity and sense of belonging. We have been able to preserve historic downtown, and I aim to make it a place that locals and tourists can enjoy. Rivera:
Santa Fe’s downtown area is unrivaled in the USA. It is vital to Santa Fe’s essence. In many ways it is the economic driver of the local economy, being the epicenter for major art markets and the starting point for art and history museums. Santa Fe’s historic downtown is unique in the USA and it’s authenticity IS the attraction. As the location for many holiday and cultural events, a well preserved historic downtown is important to the local community. Central areas like this that are not government centers but rather serve community and tourism would be. Valued economic drivers in any city. |
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Rivera: Moderately effective
Castro: Very effective Zamora: Very effective Gutierrez: Moderately effective |
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Most Important
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Second Most Important
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Third Most Important
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Maintain neighborhood character and support local concerns about change
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Gutierrez
Zamora |
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Communicate with neighborhoods in consideration of development that may be disruptive or character-altering
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-
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Gutierrez
Rivera Castro |
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Prioritize well-designed affordable housing but not development writ large
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-
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Zamora
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Gutierrez
Rivera |
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Stimulate housing development across the city
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Castro
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Improve Early Neighborhood Notification process so neighborhoods and developers can mediate disputes in advance
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Rivera
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-
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Zamora
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Adopt new historic districts to honor heritage communities and longstanding neighborhoods
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-
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-
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Castro
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Rivera:
Priority of water usage should be: 1) Residential, 2) Commercial/Industrial, 3)Development. Future development should not hinder livability. We do not want to outgrow what we can sustain. I believe future development should not be approved without proof of water availability. Santa Fe has been leader in conservation. I believe we can do more. Santa Fe’s water infrastructure (i.e. the water treatment plant and its aging pipes) needs investment for upgrades/replacement. The water color and quality around town lately is cause for concern. Castro:
While we are creating new sources to replenish our water reserves for the future, we have more work to do. I will focus on our water infrastructure to preserve access to quality water to all Santa Fe residents and those downstream. We need to invest in reclamation infrastructure around the city, to ensure that future generations of Santa Feans have access to clean, safe water. I am committed to help champion a new water treatment plant, and build a better relationship with our county commission so we can plan for the future. Zamora:
Sustainability of our water supply is a priority as we build new developments and infill Santa Fe. First, we should be focused on water conservation, capture, and reuse–incorporating these concepts with both new construction and historic preservation. Interestingly, density and height require less infrastructure and have the potential for greater conservation and capture. An appropriate mix of sustainability measures must be maintained and balanced to preserve the character and history of Santa Fe. Gutierrez:
Santa Fe was a leader in water conservation. As of late not many new policies or practices have been put into action. Wastewater is now a great commodity and must be treated as such. This means rebuilding the wastewater treatment plant. Multi family housing does not have the same building standards as single family dwellings. It would have been wonderful if all the new multi family housing would divert gray water for landscaping. Eye on water is something that has its benefits. |
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Alma Castro
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Brian Gutierrez
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Kathy Rivera
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Geno Zamora
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Height restrictions work and should be maintained in all areas
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Yes
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Yes
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Allow increased building height
(see question 7b) |
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Improve code to vary heights at maximum to prevent uninspired (overly boxy) design
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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All buildings reaching maximum height should be subject to more stringent design restrictions
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Yes
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Yes
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-
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Yes
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Castro:
In order to stop urban sprawl, which will inevitably lead to more development and use of more resources to deliver services, we should be focused on infill and building densely while maintaining our design standards to avoid losing the Santa Fe character. Improving the code to vary heights with more regulations, can help keep that character. In some areas the height restriction can preserve land values for local families and build community wealth. By preserving the beautiful views of our landscape, we can ensure ecotourism and longevity of our local economy. Zamora:
Building height as applied in different areas of our City should be examined and reimagined to address both housing needs in our City and conservation–water, energy, and increased walkability. At this time, I do not have exact answers about where and to what height. However, conversations and research regarding height, location, and preservation of neighborhood character are needed to prepare for the inevitable growth of our City. |
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Most important
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Second most important
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Third most important
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Natural and built environments
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-
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Castro
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Affordable housing
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Zamora
Castro Gutierrez Rivera |
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Good jobs
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Zamora
Castro Gutierrez Rivera |
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Good public schools
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Gutierrez
Rivera |
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Strong cultural traditions
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Zamora
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Zamora:
The core of my campaign for city council is “housing and the jobs to afford it”. Young families must have an affordable place to live and raise their families and work opportunities to earn a meaningful wage to maintain a reasonable quality of life. Too many of our youth cannot afford to live and raise their families in Santa Fe–eroding our strong cultural traditions as generation after generation moves away. Strong cultural traditions remain when generations of Santa Fe families who created those cultural traditions remain. Gutierrez:
Young families must have housing to shelter their families. Young families may be just entering the job market, and be at the bottom income bracket for their chosen profession. Even if the young families are able to obtain affordable housing they must also have a good job to pay for the housing and still enjoy a high quality of life. Since you use the word families I envision children. Quality schools always plays a part when deciding where to plant roots if you are a parent. Rivera:
The trifecta of good schools, good jobs, and affordable housing is the desired find for any young family. Anything less in any one category a becomes a trade-off decision. Other key factors for young families are 1) Amenities for youth activities and 2) Safe, well-kept parks. |
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-
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Rivera
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Gutierrez
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Zamora
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Castro
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Enact 3% high-end excise tax on residential home sales above $1 million
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-
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-
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Yes
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Yes
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Encourage and facilitate the building of more housing stock overall, in all districts
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-
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Yes
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Yes
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-
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Develop a vacancy penalty for houses left empty for the majority of the year
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Yes
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Yes
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Restrict investment-type short term rentals with a primary residence requirement
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Yes
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-
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Yes
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Fund the Affordable Housing Trust Fund with the City’s general fund
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-
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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None of the above
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-
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Other
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For additional consideration: a) Establish prioritization for ‘workforce occupation’ applicants, b) Repurpose under-utilized retail space, c) Federal & State (oil & gas) funding for the AHTF, c) Take over & re-furbish abandoned / blighted properties and convert to affordable housing, d) tax incentives to convert properties to long term rentals.
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Lobby the state legislature to allow municipalities to spend some of the tax revenue generated by lodgers tax.
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Rivera:
The city needs to find developers who are willing to build affordable housing. Ones that are willing to deviate from traditional ‘capital stack’ financing options as well as be open to longer ROI timeframes. Due to the high cost of materials and borrowing, housing subsidies will always be needed. Is it possible to induce the private market to produce housing for the lowest income households? Gutierrez:
The 3% tax is going to be decided by the voters of Santa Fe on the November ballot. The gates have been opened for short term rentals without the provision of a primary residence. Zamora:
Affordable housing and a Santa Fe where everyone belongs is at the core of my campaign. Our workforce should have the choice to live and work in Santa Fe. Our law firm struggles to recruit attorneys who can afford to live in Santa Fe, Christus St. Vincent has trouble recruiting doctors for the same reason. If lawyers and doctors struggle to afford a home in Santa Fe, it’s approaching near-impossible for our workforce. With the affordable housing ballot measure, we have the opportunity to create a permanent, sustainable source of funding for affordable housing projects, down payment assistance, and other tools to ensure that every Santa Fean has a place to call home. At the same time, we are critically short in the number of housing units--single family homes, townhouses, apartments--that we need to have a stable housing market and a home for every Santa Fean. In-fill housing in places throughout our city can alleviate some of the market pressure that drives the dramatic rise in home prices, sending those who work in Santa Fe outside of the city. This kind of forward-thinking development will help us create a more walkable, accessible, sustainable, and affordable city. Castro:
To create a much larger pool of funds to subsidize affordable housing, the city should fund the Affordable Housing Trust Fund with monies that come from the tax on short-term rentals, enact a 3% high-end excise tax on residential home sales above $1 million and facilitate the building of more housing stock by raising the fee that developers pay when opting out of affordable housing. |
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Castro: Moderately effective for Land Use staff only
Zamora: Critically effective and necessary Gutierrez: Moderately effective but necessary Rivera: Critically effective and necessary |
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The Old Santa Fe Association preserves the priceless heritage, historical structures, traditions, cultural assets, and environment that distinguish the city and county of Santa Fe.
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