Regular Governing Body Meeting - Last Wednesday — Wed, Jul 29, 2026 · 9.y CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2026-____. (Councilor Patricia Feghali and Councilor Alma Castro)A Resolution Amending Resolution Nos. 2014-49 and 2016-80 to Close the Streets Surrounding Plaza Park Annually from Memorial Day to October 31st or Later and to Close Lincoln Avenue and Palace Avenue, Next to Plaza Park Permanently. (Sam Burnett, Public Works Director; jsburnett@santafenm.gov) Committee Review: Governing Body (Introduced): 06/24/2026 Public Works and Utilities Committee: 06/29/2026 Quality of Life Committee: 07/01/2026 Finance Committee: 07/06/2026 (POSTPONED TO 07/27/2026) Governing Body: 07/08/2026 (POSTPONED) Finance Committee: 07/27/2026 Governing Body: 07/29/2026
10764.1 (C) CITY OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S) TO RESOLUTION NO. 2026-___ Seasonally Closing the Plaza to Vehicular Traffic Mayor and Members of the City Council: In relation to Resolution No. 2026-___. This amendment WILL change the caption. _X____ This amendment WILL NOT change the caption. _____ I intend to propose the following amendment(s), CITY OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO RESOLUTION NO. 2026-__ INTRODUCED BY: Councilor Patrica Feghali Councilor Alma Castro Amendment B- PURPLE – Councilor Pilar Faulkner, Councilor Lee Garcia, Mayor Michael Garcia A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO COORDINATE WITH THE APPROPRIATE CITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND STAFF TO AMENDING RESOLUTION NOS. 2014-49 AND 2016-80 TO CLOSE THE STREETS SURROUNDING PLAZA PARK OLD SANTA FE TRAIL ANNUALLY FROM MEMORIAL DAY TO OCTOBER 31ST OR LATER, AND TO CLOSE LINCOLN AVENUE AND PALACE AVENUE, NEXT TO PLAZA PARK, PERMANENTLY, TO KEEP ONLY ONE LANE OF EAST SAN FRANCISCO STREET OPEN, YEAR-ROUND, TO DESIGNATE A MINIMUM OF SIX AMERICANS WITH 10764.1 (C) DISABILITIES ACT PARKING SPACES, AND TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF DESIGNATING A “DROP-OFF/PICK-UP” AREA; SPECIFYING THAT THE PLAZA ROAD CLOSURES WILL BEGIN ON MEMORIAL DAY IN 2027. WHEREAS, the Santa Fe Plaza (“Plaza”) has been the commercial, social, and political center of Santa Fe since 1610; and WHEREAS, the Plaza is a destination for many visitors interested in Santa Fe history and culture; and WHEREAS, SFCC 1987, Section 23-5 regulates the use of the Plaza, Plaza Park and Plaza periphery; and WHEREAS, SFCC 1987, Section 23-5.1 (S), (T), and (W) defines the Plaza and the Plaza Park area as follows: Plaza means that inclusive area bounded on the north by the north curbline of Palace Avenue running in front of the Palace of the Governors, and on all other sides by the facades of the buildings, excluding portals, or property lines lying to the east, south and west of the Plaza Park as outlined in the map prepared by the city, labeled "Plaza Park Map." Plaza Park means that inclusive area bounded by the inside back of the curb surrounding the Plaza as outlined in the map prepared by the city, labeled "Plaza Park Map." WHEREAS, the Plaza belongs to all of Santa Fe and is home to many annual events that draw residents and visitors to the Plaza and creates social connections, economic development, and funding for community non-profits, including but not limited to the eight major events authorized by SFCC 1987, Section 23-5.2(A)(1)(a-h); and WHEREAS, many cities are reducing vehicular traffic as a way to preserve and protect historic areas as well as enhance pedestrian safety; and WHEREAS, the City has limited vehicular access to the streets around the Plaza Park over the years by closing Palace Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, and Old Santa Fe trail for various reasons and as described in Resolution Nos. 2014-49, 2014-75, and 2016-80; and 10764.1 (C) WHEREAS, the City already often closes San Francisco Street during the summer months due to events, and closing San Francisco Street seasonally would lead to more predictability for drivers and pedestrians; and WHEREAS, specifically, Resolution No. 2014-49 notes that as a result of a 2003 safety recommendation from the “Plaza Task Force,” that “Palace Avenue in front of the Palace of the Governors was closed to vehicular traffic with the exception of loading and unloading and emergency vehicle access”, and then the resolution goes on to authorize a “[c]ontinuation of the closure of Palace Avenue”; and WHEREAS, East San Francisco Street currently consists of multiple lanes, and keeping one lane open will allow vehicles to pass through the plaza during emergencies as well as to facilitate general traffic flow through the area; and WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2016-80 amended Resolution No. 2014-75 to extend the established time period for vehicular traffic restriction around Plaza Park on Lincoln Avenue and Old Santa Fe Trail to Memorial Day through October 31 “or such later date determined by the city manager…; and WHEREAS, Lincoln Avenue has not reopened to vehicles after the summer closure for several years, to the benefit of pedestrians and visitors to the Plaza; and WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2020-24 established a framework for evaluating the temporary closure of streets to vehicular traffic during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, which only applied to the year 2020 and is no longer relevant; and WHEREAS, in an effort to create continued enhancement of pedestrian safety and enjoyment of the Plaza area, the Governing Body wishes to further reduce vehicular traffic on the plaza. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE that only one lane of East San Francisco Street shall remain permanently open to vehicular traffic, and that the streets around Plaza Park, (except for the designated through-traffic lane of East San Francisco Street), shall be closed to vehicular traffic, except for bicycles and other human-powered, non- electric devices, from Memorial Day to October 31 or such later date determined by the cCity mManager, annually. 10764.1 (C) BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager shall direct coordinate appropriate City advisory committees (including groups such as the Public Safety Committee and the Mayor’s Committee on Disability), community groups, and staff to take the appropriate steps to effectuate the following actions: 1) Amend Resolution 2014-49 to remove the “continuation” of the closure of Palace Avenue along Plaza Park and establish that, with the exception of loading and unloading, it shall remain closed to vehicular traffic permanently; and 2) Amend Resolution 2016-80 to establish that Lincoln Avenue along Plaza Park shall remain closed to vehicular traffic permanently; and 3) Amend Resolution 2016-80 to establish that the restriction of vehicular traffic around Plaza Park, including San Francisco Street, shall occur annually from Memorial Day to October 31st or such later date determined by the city manager; and 4) Designate Palace Avenue between Lincoln Avenue and Washington Avenue exclusively as a loading and unloading zone for Plaza vendors and Palace of the Governors vendors, and prohibit vehicular traffic, pedicab operations, walking tours, and bicycle tours from operating within this area; and 5) Designate cruise nights which will permit all four streets surrounding the Plaza to be open to vehicular traffic during the designated cruise nights; and Designate a minimum of six Americans with Disabilities (“ADA”) parking spaces within 100 feet of the Plaza; and 6) Assess the feasibility of designating a “drop-off/pick-up” area that is accessible for ADA purposes; and 7) Identify dates on which the Plaza will be open to vehicular traffic, which shall include weekends whenever possible, and, no later than April 1st 2027 and by April 1st every year thereafter, the City shall publicize these dates. 10764.1 (C) BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all closures are consistent with all SFCC 1987 requirements for obstructions and loading zones as well as with adopted International Fire Code regulations. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the closures of the streets surrounding Plaza Park will begin on Memorial Day in 2027. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ PILAR FAULKNER, COUNCILOR _____________________________ LEE GARCIA, COUNCILOR _____________________________ MICHAEL J. GARCIA, MAYOR APPROVED AS TO FORM: _________________________________ MARCOS D. MARTÍNEZ, CITY ATTORNEY ADOPTED: NOT ADOPTED: _______________ DATE: ________________________ ATTEST: ________________________________ GERALYN F. CARDENAS, CITY CLERKMarcos Martinez (Jul 27, 2026 16:24:01 MDT) Marcos Martinez Amendment B - Faulkner Interim Agreement Report 2026-07-28 Created: 2026-07-27 By: INDIRA innadasen-gladstone@santafenm.gov (innadasen-gladstone@santafenm.gov) Status: Out for Signature Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAPjF7wZtzgxShUMIQ-CNF2vJx0hCHD1Qk Documents: Amendment B - Faulkner .docx (5 pages) Agreement History Agreement history is the list of the events that have impacted the status of the agreement prior to the final signature. A final audit report will be generated when the agreement is complete. "Amendment B - Faulkner" History Document created by INDIRA innadasen-gladstone@santafenm.gov (innadasen-gladstone@santafenm.gov) 2026-07-27 - 10:16:05 PM GMT- IP address: 63.232.20.2 Document emailed to Marcos Martinez (mdmartinez@santafenm.gov) for signature 2026-07-27 - 10:17:10 PM GMT Email viewed by Marcos Martinez (mdmartinez@santafenm.gov) 2026-07-27 - 10:23:27 PM GMT- IP address: 63.232.20.2 Document e-signed by Marcos Martinez (mdmartinez@santafenm.gov) Signature Date: 2026-07-27 - 10:24:01 PM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 63.232.20.2 - Signature Appearance Selected: TYPE Document emailed to Pilar Faulkner (pfhfaulkner@santafenm.gov) for signature 2026-07-27 - 10:24:04 PM GMT Email viewed by Pilar Faulkner (pfhfaulkner@santafenm.gov) 2026-07-28 - 7:13:24 AM GMT- IP address: 172.226.136.31