I fully support the plan that is currently making its way forward to protect the Old Pecos Trail Scenic Corridor. There are a couple of additional things we need to be thinking about going forward. First, it’s great to have a plan—but ultimately it needs to make its way into ordinance form so there isn’t any question about its intent or authority when it comes to compatible uses with existing zoning and land use. In addition, we need to take into account a variety of factors in protecting the corridor, including considerations such as light pollution in the corridor. Finally, we need to update our general plan. That is a serious and important undertaking that has to involve meaningful participation from residents, neighborhood associations, businesses—every stakeholder with a legitimate point of view needs to be represented. In the process of updating our general plan, we should pay particular attention to every major corridor leading into Santa Fe and find ways to protect, improve, and beautify these historic points of entry.
I also have advocated for the creation of an Office of Neighborhood Associations to facilitate ongoing input from all of the neighborhoods and to avoid surprises as any one particular development comes up for consideration by the City. We need to restructure the conversation between our neighborhood associations and the City government, so it shifts from an adversarial relationship based on one-off projects to an ongoing dialog that will foster and promote safe, healthy, sustainable neighborhoods in all parts of Santa Fe.