SantaFe.com

Bill Hon has 904 reasons to hope a recently approved parking plan for Santa Fe's Railyard district goes off without a hitch.

Hon, the city's parking division director, has been at the center a contentious debate about how to best allocate and pay for 904 soon-to-be-available parking spaces in the burgeoning Railyard, which will feature a movie theater, commercial outlets, a commuter train stop and the city's farmers market.

Much of the uproar surrounding the Railyard parking stems from the fact the area has been touted as a community-oriented development.

Sunday, May 4, 2008
by Dan Boyd • Journal Santa Fe

With less than one month remaining before the June primaries that will effectively decide a winner, candidates in two crowded Santa Fe County Commission races are still trying to distinguish themselves from the pack.

At a Tuesday night candidate forum that featured more casual banter than pointed questions, that effort took on a personal feel.

District 5 candidate Joe Auburg described how he got the nickname "Bubba" while working for the Pentagon, opponent Stephen Wust talked about the business perspective gleaned from his rubber stamp making business and Ralph Jaramillo sounded a populist...

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
by Dan Boyd • Journal Santa Fe

Santa Fe city councilors faced off Monday against top police officials as debate over a proposed police hiring plan grew increasingly heated.

After nearly two hours of pointed questioning from Finance Committee members, Police Chief Eric Johnson voiced frustration and said officials had provided answers to every question that had been posed.

That response didn't appear to sit well with Councilor Matthew Ortiz, the Finance Committee's chairman.

Ortiz, one of the council's most veteran members, said he's supportive of rank-and-file police officers in Santa Fe but harbors doubts as to whether...

Tuesday, May 6, 2008
by Dan Boyd • Journal Santa Fe

City governments concerned about sprawl usually don't decrease the number of residential units that can be built in burgeoning neighborhoods.

But Santa Fe proved once again to be the City Different when it comes to the perceived perils of infill— or concentrated new construction in older areas— when city councilors voted unanimously Wednesday to "downzone" 35 acres within a core downtown neighborhood.

The vote represents a triumph for residents of the Juanita Street neighborhood, whose vocal calls for attention spurred the city to take action.

As approved Wednesday, the Juanita Street...

Thursday, May 1, 2008
by Dan Boyd • Journal Santa Fe

The Santa Fe City Council's decision to withhold approval of proposed traffic control measures for construction of the Rail Runner Express commuter train could have serious financial implications to the state, a project official said Wednesday.

Councilors voted 6-2 Wednesday evening to postpone taking action on three measures dealing with infrastructure improvements needed to bring the Rail Runner to Santa Fe.

Citing concerns over the scope of the state's responsibility for existing infrastructure deficiencies, several councilors said they want more information before taking up the issue...

Thursday, May 1, 2008
by Dan Boyd • Journal Santa Fe

Santa Fe County commissioners have given those in charge of a regional transportation alliance 29 days to show them why they shouldn't pull out of the arrangement.

Representatives from the North Central Regional Transit District, which includes both the city and county of Santa Fe, have pushed for a gross receipts tax increase that could cost Santa Fe County residents $4.6 million annually.

But several county commissioners indicated Tuesday it makes more sense to coordinate efforts with state officials who've discussed a similar tax hike to pay for operating expenses of the Rail Runner...

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
by Dan Boyd • Journal Santa Fe

Little did Santa Fe parks crews know the surprises, and headaches, that awaited them this spring.

More than three months after a cold snap caused more than 1,000 residential water pipes and meters to freeze, city workers are discovering municipal irrigation systems didn't emerge unscathed, either.

In fact, hundreds of feet of the plastic PVC pipe that carries water to the sprinklers that keep local parks green cracked due to the deep freeze and are being replaced. While most main lines have been repaired by now, crews are still in the process of determining the full extent of the problem.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
by Dan Boyd • Journal Santa Fe

Santa Fe's proposed green fee, a would-be tax on disposable paper and plastic shopping bags, is changing shape even before being voted on.

After drawing criticism for being potentially harmful to working-class families, the plan was recast Monday simply as an attempt to reduce disposable bag use.

It remains to be determined whether that happens through charging customers for each bag or by using incentives to encourage the use of reusable bags.

The change was applauded by members of the City Council's Public Works Committee, who approved the amendments after hearing ample concerns about the...

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
by Dan Boyd • Journal Santa Fe

When David Coss was in the hot seat as Santa Fe's city manager in the 1990s, an Army veteran named Art Sanchez stepped to the forefront.

As the city councilor chosen to mediate between other councilors who wanted Coss fired and the city leaders who'd hired him, Sanchez ensured that cooler heads prevailed.

Coss ended up keeping his job, eventually becoming mayor in 2006. On Monday, he remembered the role Sanchez played in his near termination.

"I'll always remember Art for that," said Coss, who described Sanchez as a gentleman and a hard worker.

Sanchez, 77, died Sunday after a lengthy...

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
by Dan Boyd • Journal Santa Fe

Santa Fe faces serious challenges in bridging deep social and cultural divides but can find hope in its history, Mayor David Coss said during a Friday night speech.

In an hourlong address that served as the final installment of the College of Santa Fe's annual lecture series, Coss told a crowd of more than 30 people the city must base its economy on equality, sustainability and, most importantly, human rights.

"That is the basis of Santa Fe's success," Coss said.

A first-term mayor with a labor background and a fondness for progressive politics, Coss levied serious charges at President...

Saturday, April 26, 2008
by Dan Boyd • Journal Santa Fe