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City of Santa Fe
Planning Commission
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
Case #2025-11756
1802 Cerrillos Special Use Permit
Owner/Applicant: Amatren, LLC
Agents: Sommer Karnes & Associates, LLP and B Constructiv LLC
Property: 1802 and 1750 Cerrillos Road; 1361 Fourth Street; and 3rd Berry Avenue, Santa Fe, New
Mexico
THIS MATTER came before the Planning Commission ("Commission") for public hearing on June 4,
2026 ("Hearing") upon the application ("Application") submitted on behalf of Amatren, LLC
("Applicant").
The Applicant requests approval of a Special Use Permit for indoor self-storage and related
storage/workspace components in the C-2 zoning district and corridor context for the redevelopment
of the former Empire Builders property and related parcels on Cerrillos Road. The property is zoned
C-2 (General Commercial) and is within the Cerrillos Road Highway Corridor Protection District, Zone
1, and the Suburban Archaeological Review District.
After conducting a public hearing and having heard from City Planning and Land Use Staff ("Staff"),
the Applicant, and interested persons, the Commission hereby FINDS, as follows:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. Staff reviewed the Application, related materials, Development Review Team comments, public
comments, and other submitted information for conformity with applicable requirements of
Chapter 14 SFCC 1987.
2. Staff provided the Commission a written Staff Report evaluating the factors relevant to the
Application and recommended approval subject to conditions and technical corrections set forth
in Attachment A.
3. Pursuant to former SFCC 1987 Section 14-3.1(F) (2025), which applied to the ENN process at the
time, the Applicant conducted two Early Neighborhood Notification ("ENN") meetings on October

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6, 2025 and October 23, 2025. The meetings included presentations by the Applicant's team and
questions and comments from neighbors and interested persons. Meeting summaries are
included in Attachment C-2 to the Staff Report.
4. The Planning Commission heard the matter on June 4, 2026. The Commission received the Staff
Report, Staff presentation, testimony and evidence from the Applicant, written public comments,
public testimony if any, and other materials in the record prior to making its decision.
5. The public record included comments and concerns related to public access to case materials,
Special Use Permit findings, the Cerrillos Road Highway Corridor Protection District, the Suburban
Archaeological Review District, fire-station proximity and emergency access, NMDOT / Cerrillos
frontage coordination, mural / public art treatment, and corridor character.
6. The public record also included written support for redevelopment of the former Empire Builders
site.
7. The Commission approved the Application with conditions, subject to Attachment A: Conditions of
Approval and Technical Corrections, as modified by the Commission.
8. The Special Use Permit request concerns indoor self-storage and related storage/workspace
components in the C-2 corridor context, including creative office/workshop-style storage suites
and associated community-facing components.
9. The Commission considered whether the use is appropriate at this location based on the required
authority, public-interest, compatibility, and adaptability findings.
10. The record supports a finding that, subject to conditions, the Special Use Permit will not adversely
affect the public interest.
11. The record supports a finding that the use and associated buildings are compatible with and
adaptable to buildings, structures, and uses of abutting properties and other properties in the
vicinity.
12. The mural / public art condition contained in Attachment A and addressed primarily through the
Development Plan is part of the condition package supporting corridor-character, compatibility,
and public-interest considerations.
13. At the August 6, 2026, Planning Commission hearing, the Commission provided further
explanation for the condition that the artist or artists hired to complete the murals be residents
of Santa Fe. The Commission seeks to provide opportunities for local artists as a necessary means
to promote the local cultural heritage, engage the community, and contribute to vibrant
neighborhoods in a manner that aligns with other city-directed initiatives aimed at fostering local
artists.

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CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. The Commission has jurisdiction and authority to review and act on the Application.
2. Pursuant to SFCC 1987 Section 14-2.1, the applicable procedural requirements, including notice
and public hearing, have been satisfied based on the record before the Commission. The ENN
process was conducted pursuant to former SFCC 1987 Section 14-3.1(F) (2025), which applied to
the ENN process at the time.
3. The Staff Report, Attachment A, Development Review Team comments, public comments/support
materials, Applicant materials, and hearing testimony constitute substantial evidence in the
record supporting the Commission's decision.
4. The Commission concludes that it has authority to approve the Special Use Permit.
5. The Commission concludes that the Special Use Permit, subject to conditions, will not adversely
affect the public interest.
6. The Commission concludes that the use and associated buildings are compatible with and
adaptable to the surrounding C-2 corridor context and vicinity.
7. The Commission concludes that the condition the Applicant hire an artist or artists from Santa Fe
to complete the murals at the property is carefully tailored to promote the local arts community
and culture without unreasonably harming nonresidents.
8. The Special Use Permit is approved subject to Attachment A, as modified by Planning Commission
action. Condition 44 is incorporated by reference from the Development Plan FOFCOL as
applicable to the Special Use Permit.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED by the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Fe that Case #2025-
11756, 1802 Cerrillos Special Use Permit, is approved subject to Attachment A, as modified by
Planning Commission action, with Condition 44 incorporated by reference from the Development
Plan FOFCOL as applicable to the Special Use Permit.

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Signature Blocks
_______________________________ _______________
Planning Commission Chair Date
______________________________ ________________
FILED: City Clerk Date
_______________________________ _______________
APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Attorney / Assistant City Attorney Date