Regular Governing Body Meeting - Last Wednesday — Wed, Aug 26, 2026 · 21.c Planning Commission: Katherine Rivera - Appointment to District 1 - Term Ending 6/2028Peter Smith - Reappointment to District 2 - Term Ending 6/2028Sasha McGee - Reappointment District 3 - Term Ending 6/2028Sean Noonen - Reappointment to District 4 - Term Ending 6/2028Brian Gutierrez - Appointment to At-Large-Term Ending 6/2028
4/10/26 To Whom It May Concern: I am currently a member of the Planning Commission and I wish to apply for reappointment to the Commission in June, 2026 when my seat becomes vacant. Significant issues are in the process of being developed as the General Plan and the Code are being updated after years of inaction. As a result of this work, the Commission and the Governing Body will be facing significant decisions in the next 2-4 years regarding the future of both residential and commercial development in Santa Fe. These issues, along with the regular business of the Commission and the need to collaborate more transparently and effectively with the Santa Fe County Commission, inspire me to seek reappointment. There are multiple critical issues facing the city when it comes to development. They include: affordable housing, neighborhood enhancement, better control over STRs, traffic control and bike safety, protecting the historic district and better regulation of commercial development throughout the city. The MidTown Campus project is critically important and giving more control to its oversight authority is critical as well. Finally, streamlining the development and approval process both technologically and procedurally is critically important as well. My background in local and state politics as well as service over the years on many boards - public, private, non-profit and for-profit – give me strong credentials to be an effective member of the Commission during these important times. Working collaboratively with each other as well as with the staff and across the other sectors of city government is critical to improving our effectiveness and efficiency. For more information, please see my attached resume. And I have secured the endorsement of Council Member Barrett and former city official Atty. Frank Katz should you want to check with them for their recommendation. And, if you would like additional recommendations, please let me know and I’ll provide them. Thank you for your consideration and, if you would like to interview me as part of this process, let me know. Sincerely, Peter Smith