Santa Fe Boards and Commissions

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

CREATING AUTHORITY: Adopted on March 12, 1975 by Ordinance No. 1975-2. Amended by Ordinance No. 1983-4, Ordinance No. 1986-18, Ordinance No. 1986-24, Ordinance No. 1994-30 and Ordinance 1999-12.

MEMBERS: Consists of seven (7), appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Governing Body. Four (4) members constitute a quorum, and the chairman may vote on all questions.

TERMS: The members shall serve for overlapping terms of (3) years or until their successors are appointed; except, that the original appointments shall be two (2) for one (1) year; two (2) for two (2) years; and three (3) for three (3) years.

QUALIFICATIONS: At least two (2) of the members of the board may be members of the Planning Commission, and there shall be five (5) members-at-large. Members of the Governing Body may serve as at-large members.

VACANCIES: Shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as for any other appointment.

REMOVAL: Members shall serve at the pleasure of the governing body and may be removed with or without cause.

CHAIRMAN: The board shall elect one (1) of its members as chairman, to serve as such for a period of one (1) year, without restriction as to re-election.

MEETING TIMES: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m.

STAFF LIAISON: Dan Esquibel, Planner Senior (955-6587)

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
PUBLIC RECORD MEETINGS: The board of adjustment shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member of each question, or indicating absence or failure to vote, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed in the Land Use Department and shall be public record. Meetings of the board shall be held at the call of the chairman and at such other times as the board may determine.

ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN REVIEW BOARD

CREATING AUTHORITY: Amended by Ordinance 2007-21 adopted on July 11, 2007.

MEMBERS: The board shall consist of nine (9) members. Each member of the governing body shall appoint one (1) member in the month of January following the governing body member’s election. Members shall be qualified by training and experience and have the ability to exercise sound and practical judgment regarding those powers and duties of the committee. Due to the legal aspects of the boards’ work, at all times as least two (2) of the nine (9) members shall be attorneys licensed to practice in the state of New Mexico for no less than five (5) years. If the nominations of the governing body do not include at least (2) attorneys, the mayor shall ask the members to resubmit nominations until at least two (2) attorneys are nominated. Each member of the board shall be a resident of the city. No member shall be an elected public official or public employee as defined in subsection 1-7.5 SFCC 1987. At all times, one of the attorney members of the board shall serve as parliamentarian to promote compliance with the Open Meetings Act, due process of law, and other legal requirements.

CHAIR: The board shall elect a chair, and vice-chair and parliamentarian from among its members, and may organize subcommittees or panels to conduct hearings, recommend advisory opinions or perform other delegated tasks. The board may at any time act directly on any pending matter without subcommittee action or recommendations.

TERM: Members shall serve terms of four (4) years. During a member’s term, he or she may be removed only for just cause by a majority vote of the governing body. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointments and shall continue for the remainder of the unexpired term.

MEETINGS: The board shall meet at least four (4) times yearly and on an as-needed basis.

POWERS ANS DUTIES:
A. The board shall enforce the provisions of the Code of Ethics (section 1-7 SFCC 1987) and the Campaign Code (Section 9-2 SFCC 1987) in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this section and such rules as the board may adopt.

OCCUPANCY TAX ADVISORY BOARD

CREATING AUTHORITY: 3-38-13 through 3-38-24 NMSA 1978. Adopted on September 28, 1983 by Resolution No. 1983-63. Amended on November 28, 1984 by Resolution No. 1984-98 and on November 18, 1992 by Resolution No. 1992-81.

MEMBERS: Five (5) residents of the city: two (2) of whom shall represent the lodging industry, two (2) of whom are directly involved in tourist-related industries, and one (1) member at-large who shall represent the general public. City Councilors may serve as at-large members.

VACANCIES: Appointed by the Mayor.

REMOVAL: At the pleasure of the Mayor.

CHAIRMAN: Appointed by the Mayor.

MEETING TIMES: Last Thursday of the month, 8:30 a.m.

STAFF LIAISON: Keith Toler, Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau Director
(955-6209)

POWERS AND DUTIES:
The board shall advise the governing body on the expenditure of funds authorized by Sec. 3-38-15 NMSA 1978 for advertising, publicizing and promoting tourist attractions and facilities in the city.

SENIOR CITIZENS' BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CREATING AUTHORITY: 1978 Joint City-County Agreement.

MEMBERS: No more than 15; 4 members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners; 1 member appointed by the Community Action Organization; 4 members appointed by the Mayor; 2 members elected at large by the senior citizens of Santa Fe County; and 4 members elected by the Senior Citizens of the City.

QUALIFICATIONS: Members shall be at least 60 years of age and have some knowledge or experience in the field of aging.

TERMS: Appointed members serve 1-year terms ending on December 31. No member may serve more than 2 consecutive terms unless he has been off the Board for 1 year. Original Board members appointed by the Mayor (4) and the County Commission (4) to serve 2 years; the 6 elected members serve 3-year terms. Representation for the County to be rotated every 3 years in alphabetical order.

VACANCIES: Of elected members shall be filled by recommendation of the nominating committee with the approval of the Board, for the remainder of the term.

REMOVAL: For missing 3 consecutive meetings without advance notice or reasonable cause.

PRESIDENT; VICE-PRESIDENT; SECRETARY/TREASURER: To be elected by the Board at the December meeting.

MEETING TIMES: 3rd Wednesday of the month, 9:30 a.m.

STAFF LIAISON: Patricia Rodriguez, Senior Services Director
(955-4799)

POWERS AND DUTIES:

(A) Act in policy and/or advisory capacity to the governing authority of the Santa Fe City/County Senior Citizens Program;

(B) To serve in advisory liaison relationship with the Department of Human Services; Aging Service Bureau and the City-County of Santa Fe through the Executive Committee of the Board;

(C) To make recommendations, suggestions, present ideas, articulate needs and express concerns with respect to the overall program, and to the Director of the program;

(D) That the Chairman or designee of the Board, along with the City Manager and County Manager will serve in a committee of three (3) in the interviewing and selection of the Director;

(E) To recognize that personnel appointments, other than the Director, are made by the Director of the program and through the process of the City personnel system;

(F) To work on local ordinances, City/County codes, etc., that have a direct bearing on the lives of senior citizens of the city and county;

(G) To work on State Legislation with the Department of Human Services, Aging Service Bureau and the City/County Legislative Committee that may affect the senior citizens of the city and county; and

(H) To entertain and recommend projects provided by the Senior Citizens Program that may be of benefit to the senior citizens of the city and county.

ARTS COMMISSION

CREATING AUTHORITY: Adopted on September 30, 1987 by Ordinance No. 1987-39.

MEMBERS: Consist of nine members. The mayor, with advice and consent of the City Council, shall appoint the commission members and the commission chairperson.

QUALIFICATIONS: All members of the commission shall reside in the County of Santa Fe and shall be actively involved in the arts. Members of the Commission shall be broadly representative of all fields of the fine and performing arts. They shall include knowledgeable lay persons and persons who are widely known for their professional competence and experience in the arts. It is recommended that the following disciplines and activities be represented on the commission: the performing arts, the visual arts, the communication arts, arts education, the literary arts, the OTAB, private sector development, citizens-at-large, and persons with fundraising expertise.

TERMS: On the first commission, four (4) of the members shall be appointed for one-year terms and five (5) shall be appointed for two-year terms. Subsequent terms shall be for two years to maintain staggering of terms. All terms expire in October.

VACANCIES: Other than by expiration of terms, shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments.

REMOVAL: After three consecutive unexcused absences a commission member shall be automatically removed thereof by the chairman.

MEETING TIMES: 2nd Monday of the month, 4:00 p.m.

STAFF LIAISON: Sabrina Pratt, Arts Commission Director
(955-6918)

POWER AND DUTIES:
The commission shall be advisory to the governing body and shall initiate, sponsor or conduct, alone or in cooperation with other public or private agencies, public programs to further the development and public awareness of, and interest in the fine and performing arts and culture properties. The commission shall organize and adopt administrative rules and procedures necessary to accomplish its purposes.

In carrying out its duties and powers, the commission shall: survey and assess the needs of the arts, both visual and performing within the City of Santa Fe; identify existing legislation, policies and programs which affect the arts and evaluate their effectiveness; encourage the use of local resources for the development and support of the arts; accept offers or gifts or grants for the United States, the State of New Mexico, their agencies or officers including without limitations the National Endowment of the Arts; and from any person, firm or corporation of services, equipment, supplies, materials for funds, and may make grants in accordance with the law; advise the City concerning the receipt of or purchase of works of art to be placed on municipal property; advise and assist the City and the occupancy tax advisory board in connection with the administration of those occupancy tax revenues which are designated for the non-profit performing arts and attractions; utilize the services of the executive director and such other staff as are available to said commission; advise and assist the City in connection with such other artistic activities as may be referred to it by the City.

The commission shall formulate and submit annually, a budget request and a proposal for utilization of its funds.

PLANNING COMMISSION

CREATING AUTHORITY: Adopted on May 25, 1994 by Ordinance No. 1994-30.

MEMBERS: Nine (9) members residing in the city, appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of a majority vote of all the members of the city council.

TERMS: Of the nine (9) members appointed initially to the planning commission, five (5) shall have one (1) year terms and four (4) shall have two (2) year terms. Each subsequent term of a member shall be for two (2) years to maintain the original staggering of terms of memberships. There shall be no limitation to the number of consecutive terms a member may serve on the planning commission.

QUALIFICATIONS: Members residing in the city and qualified by training, experience and ability to exercise sound and practical judgment on civic, social, economic and governmental affairs.

VACANCIES: A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

MEETING TIMES: 1st Thursday of the month, 6:00 p.m.
Third Thursday of the month, if needed

STAFF LIAISON: Greg Smith, Director, Current Planning Division
(955-6957)

POWERS AND DUTIES:
A. The planning commission shall be responsible for making long-range policy recommendations to the governing body with regard to:

(1) growth management, land use, transportation, development review procedures, urban design and capital improvements; and

(2) neighborhood and community planning, and other community issues as they relate to long-term planning.

B. The planning commission is the principal city administrative board reviewing and making recommendations to the city council regarding:

(1) the adoption of the general plan and proposed revisions and amendments thereto;

(2) annexations;

(3) rezonings; and

(4) proposed amendments to Chapter 14, SFCC 1987, except for proposed amendments to Sections 14-70, 14-71, 14-72, 14-73, and 14-74 SFCC 1987, which the historical design review board shall review and issue a recommendation on, and to Section 14-75 SFCC 1987, which the archeological review committee shall review and issue a recommendation on.

C. The planning commission is the principal city administrative board reviewing and approving or disapproving subdivision requests.

D. The planning commission is the principal city administrative board reviewing and approving or disapproving various other specific development plans and requests, all as authorized in the Santa Fe City Code. When specifically authorized by the Code, the decision of the planning commission shall be final, subject to any appeal right provided in the Code. In all other instances, the planning commission shall provide advice and non-binding recommendations.

E. The planning commission is the principal city administrative board reviewing and approving or disapproving amendments or modifications of plans, designs, plats, conditions of approvals, restrictions and other matters previously approved by the planning commission. Nothing herein shall preclude the summary committee and the designated city department staff from approving minor amendments or modifications as authorized in the Santa Fe City Code.

F. The planning commission is the principal city administrative board reviewing and granting or denying requests for variances from zoning regulations set forth in Section 14-16 through 14-69 SFCC 1987, provided that the request is also part of a development plan or subdivision request requiring the planning commission's review. When deciding such variances the planning commission shall use the procedures for public notice and hearing and the criteria for deciding variances as set forth in Section 14-5.4C SFCC 1987, except requests in PUD, PRC and PRRC districts, where the property shall be posted as set forth in Section 14-9.14B SFCC 1987 and the applicant shall notify property owners within one hundred (100) feet as set forth in Section 14-9.16 SFCC 1987. Variances in PUD, PRC and PRRC districts shall be evaluated based upon their appropriateness in relation to the overall development and its purposes and their impact upon surrounding properties.

G. The planning commission is the principal city administrative board reviewing and granting or denying requests for variances from all subdivision regulations set forth in Sections 14-80 through 14-90 SFCC 1987. When deciding variances the planning commission shall use the procedures for public notice and hearing as set forth in Section 14-5.4C SFCC 1987, and the criteria for deciding variances as set forth in Sections 14-87 or 14-90.7, as applicable.

H. The planning commission is the principal city administrative board reviewing and granting or denying appeals from decisions of:

(1) the summary committee;

(2) city staff regarding the zoning regulations set forth in Sections 14-16 through 14-69 SFCC 1987, and the subdivision regulations set forth in Section 14-80 through 14-90 SFCC 198, provided that the request is also part of a development plan or subdivision request requiring the planning commission's approval; and

(3) city staff regarding the terrain management regulations and the escarpment overlay district as set forth in Sections 14-90 and 14-90A SFCC 1987.

I. The planning commission or the governing body may request any other committee or board to review a proposed city zoning map amendment or a proposed amendment to Chapter 14 of the Santa Fe City Code, and such board or committee shall issue comments and non-binding recommendations in response to the request.

J. The planning commission may make reports and recommendations relating to the development of the city to public officials and agencies; public utility companies; civic, educational, professional and other organizations; and citizens.

K. The planning commission may provide to administrative and governmental officials of the city recommendations for public improvements and for the financing of such improvements. Public officials shall, upon request, furnish to the planning commission within a reasonable time such available information as it may require for its work.

L. The planning commission, its members and employees, in the performance of its functions, may enter on any land, make examinations and surveys and place and maintain necessary monuments and marks thereon.

M. As authorized in Chapter 14 of the Santa Fe City Code, the planning commission may make decisions affecting the physical development of the city including physical development authorized by a public agency or official not under the jurisdiction of the governing body. These decisions shall be consistent with the general plan and other adopted city policies.

N. Approved plats and development plans shall be signed by the chairperson and secretary of the planning commission.

O. The mayor, subject to the advice and consent of the city council, may appoint ad hoc subcommittees to gather information and make recommendations to the planning commission, as the planning commission deems appropriate. The ad hoc subcommittee shall be comprised to volunteer citizens, city staff and/or commission members.

P. The planning commission shall have such powers as may be necessary to enable it to fulfill and perform its functions, and carry out all duties authorized in the Santa Fe City Code.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY: The governing body hereby delegates its authority for planning, within the planning jurisdiction of the city, and for approving subdivision plats within the corporate boundaries of the city, as specifically set forth in Section 3-19-1 NMSA 1978 and more generally in Articles 19 and 21 NMSA 1978, to the planning commission, except for those powers retained by the governing body in the Santa Fe City Code. In addition, the governing body delegates authority to the planning commission to hear appeals and variances as set forth herein.

Address: 2055 South Pacheco Street, Santa Fe
Tel: (505) 476-7117