District 3 Candidates:

Louis Carlos - website

Pilar Faulkner - website

Questionnaire

Question 1a. 
The City is in the process of updating its land development code, which will spur discussions about density, zoning, use restrictions, and other issues affecting Santa Fe residents. Rank the following priorities that you think will keep Santa Fe’s distinctive character while making it more livable for all.

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High Priority

Secondary Priority

Low Priority

Increase infill development across all districts

Carlos

Faulkner

-

Change zoning to allow for more housing supply through density

-

Carlos
​Faulkner

-

Ensure strong preservation standards for downtown and historic districts

Carlos
​Faulkner

-

-

Strengthen design standards across town to preserve city’s unique architectural style

Carlos

-

Faulkner

Loosen parking requirements (fewer parking lots) and encourage walkability

Faulkner

Carlos

-

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Question 1b.
You may briefly explain any of your answers to the question above.

Carlos:
The city is on the right track to address the Land Use Department and its services.

Faulkner:
When it comes to preservation, I think we need to preserve historic district, but I also think given the housing crisis, we can loosen some of the architectural restrictions for other districts

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​Question 2. 
Consider the following elements and how each contributes to the worldwide reputation of Santa Fe’s tourism economy. What do you believe are the two most important elements in drawing visitors to Santa Fe?

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Most Important

Second Most Important

Natural landscape and climate

Faulkner

-

Quality of shopping and restaurants

-

-

Cultural traditions and events

Carlos

Faulkner

Historic downtown and its environment

-

-

The arts, including art markets, galleries, music and theater arts

-

Carlos

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Question 3.
To what degree do you believe that a well-preserved historic downtown and surrounding area is important to the local Santa Fe community and economy? Briefly explain.

Faulkner:
​​I think the plaza is what attracts people to our city.

Carlos:
Santa Fe has such a beautiful history that must be preserved and shared throughout the world. Our city is one of the most visited tourist destinations and our history is world renowned! I strongly believe in preserving our precious history and passing such history to generations that follow! Tourists bring a great deal of revenue and leave with great memories.

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Question 4. 
How effective do you believe that the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance and Historic Districts Review Board have been in protecting the fabric of historic districts in Santa Fe? 

Carlos: Very effective
Faulkner:  Moderately effective

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​Question 5.
Considering longtime Santa Feans, how would you begin to balance the needs of established neighborhoods with demand for more affordable housing? Select the three most important elements.

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Most Important

Second Most Important

Third Most Important

Maintain neighborhood character and support local concerns about change

-

-

Carlos

Communicate with neighborhoods in consideration of development that may be disruptive or character-altering

Carlos

Faulkner

-

Prioritize well-designed affordable housing but not development writ large

-

-

Faulkner

Stimulate housing development across the city

-

Carlos

-

Improve Early Neighborhood Notification process so neighborhoods and developers can mediate disputes in advance 

Faulkner

-

-

Adopt new historic districts to honor heritage communities and longstanding neighborhoods

-

-

-

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Question 6.
How should we approach our water supply with regard to development, industrial use, commercial & residential use? What has worked for Santa Fe and what hasn't?​

Carlos:
Water supply can no longer be taken for granted by both commercial and residential consumers as water is not limitless. It is a lifeblood of sustainability! Water needs and consumption should be prioritized. Scarcity is a growing concern as Santa Fe grows with both residential and commercial developments. Demand should never exceed supply because as we say in Spanish, “Agua es Vida!” - Water is Life.

Faulkner:
​The city currently does not have any long-range planning. I think that is the only way we’re gonna get the situation under control is to do long-range planning.

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Question 7a.
Our city famously has building height restrictions (52 feet in all areas, 62 feet in the Midtown-LINC). Are they working and what about them could change?  (Candidates may choose more than one.)

-

Pilar Faulkner

Louis Carlos

Height restrictions work and should be maintained in all areas

-

Yes

Allow increased building height
​(see question 7b)

Yes

-

Improve code to vary heights at maximum to prevent uninspired (overly boxy) design

Yes

Yes

All buildings reaching maximum height should be subject to more stringent design restrictions

-

-

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Question 7b. (optional)
You may explain your answers in 7a.  If you think height restrictions should be changed, what height(s) would be acceptable (or more desirable) and why?

Faulkner:
There are several areas throughout the city, where we could definitely increase height. Increasing height is one of the only solutions to affective environmentally friendly building.

Carlos:
​Height restrictions should be maintained.

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​Question 8a.
Please rank the importance of the role which each of the following plays in attracting and keeping young families in Santa Fe.

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Most important

Second most important

Third most important

Natural and built environments

-

-

-

Affordable housing

-

Carlos
​Faulkner

-

Good jobs

Faulkner

-

Carlos

Good public schools

Carlos

-

-

Strong cultural traditions

-

-

Faulkner

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Question 8b. (optional)
You may explain any of your answers to Question 8a.

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Question 9a.
Affordable, workforce housing is a critical issue in our community, one requiring a multi-pronged approach to increasing the stock of affordable housing. Which of the following do you think the city council should explore further? 
(You may choose more than one. You can also add your own in response to the ideas listed here) 

-

Louis Carlos

Pilar Faulkner

Enact 3% high-end excise tax on residential home sales above $1 million

-

Yes

Encourage and facilitate the building of more housing stock overall, in all districts

-

Yes

Develop a vacancy penalty for houses left empty for the majority of the year

-

Yes

Restrict investment-type short term rentals with a primary residence requirement

-

Yes

Fund the Affordable Housing Trust Fund with the City’s general fund

-

Yes

None of the above

Yes

-

Other

-

-

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Question 9b. (optional)
You may briefly explain your answer to the question 9a.

Faulkner:
​The issue of affordable housing is very complex, and will take more than one solution to resolve

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Question 10.
Other famous historic U.S. cities recognize their historic integrity to be of vital importance to their economic and community well-being, and some, such as Charleston, S.C., have their entire city staff trained by their historic divisions to understand the necessity of preservation for their city’s welfare. In your opinion, how effective would this comprehensive approach be in maintaining Santa Fe’s authenticity and sense of place? ​

Carlos: Moderately effective but necessary
Faulkner: Critically effective and necessary​