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Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners Adopts Sustainable Growth Management Plan

By a unanimous vote (5-0), the Santa Fe County Board of Commissioners passed late last night, a resolution adopting the Sustainable Growth Management Plan (SGMP). The vote was taken following a public hearing at which individuals commented and shared their perspectives on the Plan.

“This Plan is about preserving and balancing. It is a community-based plan, and that is why I supported it" said Virginia Vigil, Commissioner, District 2, Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners. Harry Montoya, Chair of the Board of Commissioners added, “I am proud of what we’ve done. This is one of the most significant projects we have done in years.”

It is a comprehensive plan for Santa Fe County, providing a framework for policy and decision making. It is based on input from more than 100 meetings including workshops, charrettes, public hearings and study sessions involving citizens, nonprofit organizations, community groups and others. These meetings were conducted in all regions of the county during evenings as well as weekends and daytime offering opportunities for maximum community participation.

The SGMP is aimed at meeting the needs of current residents while at the same time preserving the County’s land, history, culture and natural resources for future generations. The Plan is designed to direct future growth to areas with adequate public facilities such as roads, water and sewer systems, and public safety.

A key feature of the Plan will be the creation of more opportunities for community participation, including a number of different kinds of community-centered organizations through which citizens can work together more effectively.

The Board emphasized that the Plan will not violate individual property rights, increase the size of government or raise property taxes. Work will now begin on development of a Sustainable Land Use Code, a strategic plan and an action plan.

Mike D. Anaya, Commissioner, District 3, said, “We still have a lot of work to do. We need to continue to work together with the various entities and I hope that the amount of people that showed up will continue their participation in working towards the Code.” Liz Stefanics, Commissioner, District 5, echoed his sentiment, adding “We still have a lot of work to do. We are here not only to represent our districts, but also to represent the future of our County.”

Kathy Holian, Commissioner, District 4, concluded, “This is a Plan for the People, of the People, by the People. I’m pleased that we are planning now and feel it’s time to move forward.”