1. 135 Grant Ave. Staff Report

Extracted text

City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
DATE: September 22, 2026
TO: Historic Districts Review Board Members
VIA: Heather Lamboy, AICP, Planning & Land Use Department Director
Maggie Moore, Assistant Land Use Director, MRM
FROM: Lani McCulley, Senior Planner, Historic Preservation Division, LJM
2026-013108-HDRB. 135 Grant Avenue. Downtown & Eastside Historic District. Significant.
Jenkins Gavin Inc., agent for 123-135 Grant LLC, owner, proposes to reconstruct the west portal,
balcony, pergola, and trellis. An exception is requested to 14-4.6(E)(4)(II) to remove historic
materials.
REFERENCE ATTACHMENTS (Sequentially):
CITY SUBMITTALS
District Standards & yard wall
& fence standards.
x Historic Inventory Form
x Zoning Review Sheet
x Other: Previous Cases
APPLICANT SUBMITTALS
x Proposal Letter
x Site Plan/Floor Plan
x Elevations
x Photographs
x Other: Engineer's Report

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STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff finds that the exception criteria have not been met and recommends denial under Section 14-4.6(E)(4)(II) to
remove historic materials. Otherwise, staff recommends approval of the other elements of the application as they
comply with 14-4.6(E) General Design Standards for all Historic Districts, and 14-4.6(G)(2) Downtown and
Eastside Historic District Design Standards.
Sample motions:
a. In case 2026-013108-HDRB, for 135 Grant Avenue, for address, approve/deny the exception to 14-
4.6(E)(4)(II) to remove historic materials, finding that the exception criteria have/have not been met.
b. In case 2026-013108-HDRB, for 135 Grant Avenue, approve/deny the elements of the project that do not
require an exception.
Figure 1: Property Location with Subject Building Circled

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BACKGROUND & SUMMARY:
Background:
The lots at 123 Grant and 135 Grant Avenue were consolidated in 2023 as part of the development plan approved
for the new Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. The structure at 123 Grant Avenue was approved for demolition under
case 2021-004123-HDRB, and a new 56,000 sq. ft. structure was approved under case 2023-007222-HDRB. The
new structure is currently under construction.
Figure 2: Subject Structure
Site Description:
The Bergere House is listed as significant to the Downtown and Eastside Historic District, with all facades
designated as primary. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Alfred M. Bergere
House (NRIS 75001166). Its significance is due to its association with General Ulysses S. Grant, A.M. Bergere,
and Aldo Leopold (one of the early founders of the conservation movement in the United States). It also played
a prominent role in U.S. military history in the Southwest as well as in the social and political life of New Mexico.
The structure was constructed by the U.S. Army in the early 1870s as part of the Fort Marcy Military Reservation
in Santa Fe, which served as headquarters for the Military District of New Mexico. It is one of six adobe houses
that were constructed for commissioned officers and their families. Only two of the residences survive today: the
A.M. Bergere House at 135 Grant Avenue and the Fort Marcy Officer’s Residence at 116 Lincoln Avenue.
At the time of construction, the A.M. Bergere House was a Territorial style that formed an “L” shape with a cross-
gabled tin-pleated roof crowned with three fired brick chimneys. The walls were adobe-plastered, and the front
corners on the west were rectangularly etched to simulate a stone corner trim. A full porch supported by eight
squared beams and a wood floor with decorative railing was situated on the west of the building, and a similar
porch without railing ran along the east. The original building contained eighteen double-hung windows with

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dark green shutters. The front door was framed with panels containing fourteen glass panes. The original four
exterior doors were solid wood.
In 1926, the style of the residence was modified to Pueblo Revival by Alfred Bergere. The second story was
squared off and given a flat roof. The west elevation first-floor windows were changed from twelve panes to four.
A sunroom was added to the south, and several rooms were added on the east where the original rear porch was
located. The storage sheds were modified in Spanish-Pueblo style, and a single-car garage was added to the east.
The east elevation also received an addition in 1999. The west elevation front porch was replaced as part of the
remodel in 1926. The front porch has been maintained throughout the years, with some replacement elements and
filling in of rotting wood areas in 2011 and in 2017.
The west elevation holds a projecting wood porch with large square posts and beams, plank ceiling and floors,
and large stucco corner piers. The second floor has spindle balustrades, while the first floor holds square
balustrades with cross beams. A wood pergola sits on the balcony over the porch. The pergola has square beams
to match those of the porch and a heavy beam roof. To the south of the porch is a wood trellis which mimics the
construction of the pergola. The date of construction of the trellis is not known.
The structure currently hosts the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Administrative Offices.
Figure 3: The west elevation showing the porch, pergola, and trellis structures.
PREVIOUS CASE SUMMARIES:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
2023-007693-ADMIN Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Development Plan amendment for 123 and 135 Grant
Avenue.
2023-007368-ADMIN Lot consolidation of lots 6, 7, and a portion of lot 5, Block 2, located at 123 Grant
Avenue.
2023-007367-ADMIN Lot consolidation of lots 10 and 11, Block 2, located at 123 and 135 Grant Avenue.
2021-003978-PLBD Variance to Table 14-8.6-1 “Parking and Loading Requirements” to allow 93
parking spaces where 217 parking spaces are required.
2021-003977-PLBD Variance to Subsection 14-8.6(C)(2)(b) to allow off-site parking greater than 600
feet from the closest property line.

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2021-003976-PLBD Development plan approval to construct a 54,100-square-foot structure for use as a
museum. The properties are located at 123 Grant Avenue (approximately 1.2174
acres) and 135 Grant Avenue (approximately 0.7670 acres).
ARC:
Archaeological clearance was issued in 1999 under case AR-16-1999.
HDRB:
2023-007411-HDRB Requests approval for two exceptions for the demolition and new construction of
the existing white wood picket fence and the demolition of the existing masonry
stuccoed wall. An exception to Section 14-5.2(D)(1)(a) is requested.
2023-007222-HDRB Requests approval for a 56,000 sq. ft. museum building. An exception to 14-5.2(E)
Downtown and Eastside Design Standards and 14-5.2(D)(1)(a)&(b): proposed
alteration or new construction will cause an adjacent structure to lose significant
status, and section 14-5.2 (D)(9)(e)&(f) scale and floor stepbacks.
2023-007221-HDRB Requests Historic status review of a stuccoed masonry site wall and white picket
fence located at 135 Grant Avenue.
2023-006552-HDRB Proposed to replace non-historic doors with aluminum storefront doors on a
significant structure, the Bergere House. The applicant requested a style exception
to 14-5.2(D)(5)(a)(i), Windows, Doors, and Architectural Features.
H-01-116 Proposes to remove the 1920s concrete pathway. It is noted that this case was
denied and an appeal was filed. The appeal overturned the denial by the HDRB.
H-00-149 Proposes the construction of a new picket fence set between stuccoed masonry
pilasters along the west property boundary at Grant Street to the maximum
allowable height of 3’-9”.
H-99-140 Proposes revisions to previously approved addition on the east elevation. There is
notation that the case was appealed, but there is no record of the outcome of the
appeal.
H-99-007 Proposes restoration and addition of an archival center to the rear of the structure.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
2026-012541-ADMIN Installation of RC Trane rooftop chillers to replace the existing chiller system on
the existing 3,000-square-foot addition's rooftop on the eastern portion of the
building. Chillers will be screened and painted to match the stucco color of the
adjacent parapet.
2019-001403-ADMIN Re-roof shed structure as submitted with the conditions that there shall be no
publicly visible rooftop appurtenances and that no roofing material shall be on the
top of the parapets and shall be flashed on the interior of parapets.
Replace canales with the condition that they shall be in-kind and painted to match
the stucco.
2019-001185-ADMIN Maintenance and repair, as follows:
1) Re-roof an approximately 315 square foot accessory structure by removing
existing foam roofing, apply a new foam roof in kind, replace a failing canale in
kind, with the conditions that no changes shall be made to parapet heights and that
no roofing material shall be visible above the parapet;
2) Apply a new coat of El Rey stucco in "Cottonwood" to match existing.
2018, March 15: Repair picket fence to a maximum height of 36” for 16’ along the west property
line and paint white as submitted, with the condition that the repaired section shall
be in-kind.

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2017, December 5: Repair front (west) porch and replace rotten wood in-kind as submitted, with the
condition that as much historic material as possible is retained.
2014, November 24: Change cement stucco color to “Sahara”.
2014, October 21: Restucco with El Rey Cementitious “Buckskin”.
2014, July 9: Regrade walk from gate to portal to remove steps and replace existing brick with
brick edging on exposed concrete slab.
2012, January 5: Install white-painted gutters and downspouts as submitted.
2011, December 7: Repair west portal roof in-kind.
2011, November 23: Repair woodwork on the west porch and the trellis with replacement of wood as
needed, installation of white-painted galvanized metal, and paint existing copper in
white.
2010, June 16: Install sculpture base in yard; must be of earth-toned concrete
2002, June 20: Reinstallation of concrete surface in front of building with brick pavers as per city
council decision June 12, 2002.
2001, September 19: Replace existing concrete pathway with brick paving.
2000, October 25: Construct a picket fence between masonry pilasters
APPLICANT’S REQUEST:
The applicant proposes the following exterior alterations:
1) Demolish the existing 1926 porch on the west elevation of the structure.
2) Reconstruct the porch by replicating the existing design elements.
Previous work on the porch in 2011 and 2017 repaired the wood where possible and retained as much of the
historic material as possible by not replacing the porch.
EXCEPTION CRITERIA AND RESPONSES:
Exception to Section 14-4.6(E)(4)(II): The applicant requests an exception to the requirement that, for all facades
of contributing, significant, and landmark structures, architectural features, finishes, and details other than doors
and windows shall be repaired rather than replaced.
(i) Do not damage the character of the district
Applicant Response: The portal and balcony will be replaced in-kind, thereby preserving the architectural
character of the building. Therefore, there will be no impact on the character of the district.
Staff Response: Staff finds that this criterion is met. A replicated porch would appear the same on the
streetscape and on the property would be in keeping with the character of the district.
(ii) Are required to prevent a hardship to the applicant or an injury to the public welfare
Applicant Response: The current conditions of the portal/balcony present a safety hazard, which is a hardship
for the applicant and could potentially create an injury to the public. The proposed reconstruction benefits the
public welfare by ensuring a safe environment.
Staff Response: Staff finds that this criterion is not met. According to the engineer's letter: “Settling of the
building, poor roof, and ground drainage over the years has exposed the wood structure, critical members of
the balcony, and main posts of the porch to rot.” This does not make it clear that the porch is not repairable
or needs to be removed.

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(iii) Strengthen the unique heterogeneous character of the City by providing a full range of design options to
ensure that residents can continue to reside within the historic districts
Applicant Response: The only design option considered was in-kind replacement, which is appropriate for
this Significant structure. This project will have no impact on the ability of residents to reside within the
Historic districts.
Staff Response: Staff finds that this criterion is not met. The full removal of the porch and reconstruction is
the only offered option. The replacement of the damaged components while repairing the porch and retaining
the historic material that is not in need of replacement would be a more responsible means of preservation
that would still address the issues with the porch. The applicant could also plan a means to mitigate water
penetration through roofs and the ground to prevent further damage to the porch. The replacement of the porch
does not resolve the underlying issue.
RELEVANT CODE CITATIONS:
14-4.6 HISTORIC DISTRICTS
A. General Provisions
l. Purpose
In order to promote the economic, cultural, and general welfare of the people of Santa
Fe and to ensure the harmonious, orderly, and efficient growth and development of
the City, the Governing Body deems it essential to preserve the qualities relating to
the history and culture of Santa Fe, maintain a harmonious outward appearance to
preserve property values, and attract residents and tourists alike. The specific
purposes of this section are to preserve qualities relating to the history of Santa Fe,
such as the following:
I. Continue the existence and preservation of historic areas and buildings;
II. Continued construction of buildings in Santa Fe's historic styles; and
III. General harmony as to architectural style, form, color, height, proportion, texture,
and material between buildings of historic design and those of more modern
design.
C. Buildings with Significant or Contributing Historic Status
l. Purpose
Historic designation is intended to address the following:
I. Recognizing each structure as a physical record of its time, place, and use.
II. Preventing changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as the
addition of conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings;

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III. Preserving and retaining changes to structures that have acquired historic
importance in their own right, recognizing that most structures change over
time;
IV. Preserving distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or
examples of craftsmanship that characterize a structure; and
V. Avoiding making new additions and related or adjacent new construction in such a
manner that, if removed in the future, the original form and integrity of the historic
property and its environment would be unimpaired.
2. Designation of Significant, Contributing, or Noncontributing Status
I. Status Designation
Structures within historic districts may be designated a status of "significant,"
"contributing," or "noncontributing," as defined in Section 14-9.3, General
Definitions. Staff shall maintain a record of the current status of structures
located in the historic districts.
II. HDRB Authority to Review Status Designation
a. The HDRB may change the status of a structure or designate a status for a
structure that has no status designated.
b. A change in status or the designation of a status shall be based upon an
evaluation of data provided through survey or other relevant sources of
information and the definitions of "significant," "contributing," or
"noncontributing."
c. When the HDRB designates a structure as contributing, it shall also specify
which facades of the structure are primary.
V. Restoration of Status
If a property owner makes changes to a structure without the proper City approvals,
which result in the lowering of the structure's status, staff or the Board may require
the property owner to restore the structure such that its former status is restored.
3. Review by Historic Districts Review Board Required
I. Except where this chapter provides for review by staff, the HDRB shall review all
applications for new construction, alteration, or demolition in the historic districts
and of landmark structures throughout the city, based on the standards set forth in
this section.
II. The historic board shall judge any proposed alteration or new structure for harmony
with adjacent buildings, preservation of historical and characteristic qualities, and
conformity to the standards for architectural style set forth in this section.
III. The HDRB may approve, deny, approve with conditions, or, with the consent of the
applicant, postpone an application.
a. For applications approved with conditions, no permit shall be issued until the
HDRB conditions have been met.
b. An application that is postponed shall be heard at a date agreed upon by the

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HDRB and the applicant.
IV. No permit shall be issued until the time for appeal to the Governing Body has
expired.
4. Compliance with General and Specific Design Standards Required
All development located within the historic districts and subject to this section shall
comply with all applicable general development standards set forth in Section 14-
4.6E), General Design Standards for All Historic Districts, as well as any applicable
specific development standards set forth in Section 14-4.6G), Additional District-
Specific Design Standards.
E. General Design Standards for All Historic Districts
These standards shall apply to all additions or alterations to existing structures in the
Historic Districts. Contributing, significant, and landmark structures may be subject to
specific additional restrictions and district-specific standards in Section 14-4.6(G).
l. General
I. The historic status of a property with a historic status designation of significant,
contributing, or landmark structure shall be retained and preserved. If a proposed
alteration will cause a property to lose its significant, contributing, or landmark
status, the application shall be denied. The removal of historic materials or
alteration of architectural features and spaces that embody the status is prohibited.
II. If a proposed alteration or new construction will cause an adjacent property to lose
its significant, contributing, or landmark status, the application may be denied.
III. For the regulations of this subsection, all facades of a significant structure
are primary facades.
2. Building Additions
I. Design
a. Building additions that meet the standards of Section 14-4.6G.2),
Downtown and Eastside Historic District, shall continue to meet those
standards, in addition to the standards set forth in this section.
b. Building additions shall have similar materials, architectural treatments and
styles, features, and details as the existing structure, but shall be
distinguishable from and not attempt to duplicate the existing structure.
II. Size and Location
a. Building additions are not permitted on primary facades.
b. All building additions shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from the
primary facade.
c. Building additions shall not exceed 50 percent of the square footage of the
building's historic footprint and shall not exceed 50 percent of the historic length
in linear feet of the primary facade.

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d. To the extent architecturally practicable, new building additions shall be
attached to any existing non-primary facade of a structure rather than
attaching them to the primary facade of a structure.
III. Height
a. The maximum height of building additions to significant and landmark
structures shall be at least six inches lower than the parapet or equivalent roof
feature of the existing adjacent connecting facade.
b. Building additions to contributing structures shall be no more than one
additional story higher than the existing structure. To the extent
architecturally practicable, two-story additions shall be set to the rear or the
side rear of the structure. When an additional story is to be placed upon an
existing contributing structure, that footprint may be no greater than fifty
percent of the footprint of the existing structure, subject to the provisions of
Subsection A(1) above. For the purposes of this paragraph, an additional story
shall not exceed twelve (12) feet from the existing rooftop to the highest point
of that story.
IV. Remodeling to Increase Height
a. For remodeling of an existing significant or landmark structure, no increase in
height of the structure is permitted.
b. For remodeling an existing contributing structure, a height increase may be
permitted through approval of an exception, as described in Section 14-4.6D.
V. Rooftop Equipment
Rooftop equipment, including but not limited to solar collectors, clerestories,
decks, or mechanical equipment, may only be installed on contributing and
noncontributing structures and shall not be publicly visible, nor shall a parapet be
raised to conceal such equipment.
3. Porches and Portals
Existing porches or portals on significant and landmark structures, and on primary
facades of contributing structures, shall not be permanently enclosed.
4. Windows, Doors, and Other Architectural Features
I. For all facades of significant and landmark structures and for the primary
facades of contributing structures:
a. Historic windows shall be repaired or restored wherever possible. Historic
windows that cannot be repaired or restored shall be duplicated in the size, style,
and material of the original. Thermal double-pane glass may be used. No
window opening shall be widened or narrowed.
b. Window depth and other characteristics of window and door fenestration shall
be preserved.
c. No new opening shall be made where one presently does not exist unless
historic documentation supports its prior existence.
d. No historic opening shall be closed.

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II. For all facades of contributing, significant, and landmark structures:
a. Architectural features, finishes, and details other than doors and windows shall
be repaired rather than replaced.
b. In the event replacement is necessary, the use of new material may be
approved. The new material shall match the material being replaced in
composition, design, color, texture, and other visual qualities.
c. Replacement or duplication of missing features shall be substantiated by
documentation, physical, or pictorial evidence.
5. Roofs
The existing historic roof styles and materials shall be maintained or replaced in kind
if necessary. The addition of dormers or other roof features should only be considered
when they are an existing historic feature of the structure.
6. Surface Cleaning
The surface cleaning of structures shall employ the gentlest means possible. Chemical
or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials are
not permitted.
7. Archaeological Resources
Discovery of archaeological resources made during the development of a historic
property shall be referred to the Archaeological Review Committee. See Section 14-
2.1G.1.V.c, Unexpected Discoveries.
8. Signs
9. Murals
10. Pedestrian-Oriented Areas
F. Height, Pitch, Scale, Massing, and Floor Stepbacks.
The height, pitch, scale, and massing of any structure in a historic district, as defined in this
section, shall be limited as provided for in this section, unless further restricted elsewhere
within this chapter.
l. Applicability
The following sections identify specific areas and specific projects subject to this
section. The Planning and Land Use Director shall determine whether or not properties
are included within this section.
I. Specific Areas
The height limitations in this subsection F apply:
a. Within the following historic districts:
1. Downtown and Eastside;
2. Don Gaspar Area;
3. Historic Transition; and
4. Westside-Guadalupe.

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b. In the Historic Review district, as specified herein.
II. Streetscape Standards
III. Project Location
Planning and Land Use Department staff shall determine the applicability of this
section to individual projects and the applicable streetscape
2. Height
I. Official Map of Building Heights in the Historic Districts - Procedures
II. Height Limitations
The HDRB shall limit the height of structures as set forth in this section.
Heights of existing structures shall be as set forth on the official map of
building heights in the historic districts.
a. If a proposed building has a parapet, the façade shall not exceed two feet above
the average height of the façades in the streetscape.
b. If the proposed building has a pitched roof, the ridge height of the
proposed building shall not exceed two feet above the average of the ridge
height of the pitched roofs in the streetscape.
c. Yard walls and fences shall be limited to a height that does not exceed the
average of the height of other yard walls and fences in the streetscape.
d. The height of any other structure shall be limited to the allowable building
height within the applicable streetscape, as defined in this section.
e. The height and dimensions of signage are as set forth in Section 14-7.61,
Sign Regulations in the Historic Districts.
f. The HDRB may increase the allowable height for proposed buildings and
additions located on a sloping site where the difference in the natural grade
along the structure's foundation exceeds two feet. In no case shall the height of
a façade exceed four feet above the allowable height of the applicable streetscape
measured from natural or finished grade, whichever is more restrictive. This
increase in height shall be constructed only in the form of building setbacks from
the street.
III. Height Measurement
a. In historic districts, height shall be the vertical distance measured between the
highest part of a structure and the existing grade or finished grade, whichever is
more restrictive, at the midpoint of the street-facing facade, excluding rooftop
appurtenances, the increased height of walls or fences over pedestrian and
vehicular openings, and gates (either in open or closed position).
b. For structures that do not have street frontage, height shall be determined by the
facade that contains the tallest vertical distance measured between the highest
part of a structure and the existing grade or finished grade, whichever is more
restrictive. The height of walls and fences is measured from the street-facing
side of the wall or fence.
IV. Pitch

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If the determined streetscape includes over 50 percent buildings with pitched
roofs, the proposed building may have a pitched roof. A pitched roof is defined as
a gable, shed, or hipped roof. The pitch of the roof shall match the predominant
pitch extant in the streetscape.
V. Scale
The height of a proposed building or addition, its façade length, and its roof form
and pitch shall appear to be in proportion to the height, façade length, and roof
form and pitch of buildings in the applicable streetscape, or the building on which
the addition is proposed.
VI. Massing and Floor Stepbacks
The HDRB may require that upper floor levels be stepped back to carry out the
intent of this section; provided that the HDRB in making such determinations shall
take into account whether the height of the proposed building, yard wall, fence, or
proposed step back of upper floor levels is in harmony with the massing of the
applicable streetscape and preservation of the historic and characteristic visual
qualities of the streetscape. The HDRB shall also require that the publicly visible
facades of the structure be in conformance with Section 14-4.6G), Additional
District-Specific Design Standards, and, in meeting those requirements, may
require that different floor levels be stepped back.
G. Additional District-Specific Design Standards
2. Downtown and Eastside Historic District
The governing body recognizes that a style of architecture has evolved within the city
from the year 1600 to the present, characterized by construction with adobe, hereafter
called "old Santa Fe style", and that another style has evolved, hereafter called "recent
Santa Fe style", which is a development from, and an elaboration of the old Santa Fe
style, with different materials and frequently with added decorations.
I. Old Santa Fe Style
Old Santa Fe style, characterized by construction with adobe, is defined as
including the so-called "pueblo" or "pueblo-Spanish" or "Spanish-Indian" and
"territorial" styles and is more specifically described as follows:
a. With rare exception, buildings are of one story; a few have three stories, and the
characteristic effect is that the buildings are long and low. Roofs are flat with a
slight slope and surrounded on at least three sides by a firewall of the same color
and material as the walls or of brick. Roofs are never carried out beyond the line
of the walls except to cover an enclosed portal or porch formed by setting back
a portion of the wall or to form an exterior portal, the outer edge of the roof being
supported by wooden columns.
Two-story construction is more common in the territorial than in other sub-
styles, and is preferably accompanied by a balcony at the level of the

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floor of the second story. Facades are flat, varied by inset portales, exterior
portales, projecting vigas or roof beams, canales or water-spouts, flanking
buttresses and wooden lintels, architraves and cornices, which, as well as
doors, are frequently carved, and the carving may be picked out with bright
colors. Arches are almost never used except for nonfunctional arches, slightly
ogival, over gateways in freestanding walls.
b. All exterior walls of a building are painted alike. The colors range from a light
earth color to a dark earth color. The exception to this rule is the protected space
under portales, or in church-derived designs, inset panels in a wall under the
roof, in which case the roof overhangs the panel. These spaces may be painted
white or a contrasting color, or have mural decorations.
c. Solid wall space is always greater in any façade than window and door space
combined. Single panes of glass larger than thirty (30) inches in any dimension
are not permissible except as otherwise provided in this section;
d. The rules as to flat roofs shall not be constructed to prevent the construction of
skylights or installation of air conditioning devices, or any other necessary roof
structures, but such structures other than chimneys, flues, vents and aerials,
shall be so placed as to be concealed by the firewall from the view of anyone
standing in the street on which the building fronts;
e. True old Santa Fe style buildings are made of adobe with mud plaster finish.
Construction with masonry blocks, bricks, or other materials with which the
adobe effect can be simulated is permissible, provided that the exterior walls are
not less than eight (8) inches thick and that geometrically straight façade lines
are avoided. Mud plaster or hard plaster simulating adobe, laid on smoothly, is
required; and
f. It is characteristic of Old Santa Fe style commercial buildings to place a portal
so that it covers the entire sidewalk, the columns being set at the curb line.
II. Recent Santa Fe Style
Recent Santa Fe style intends to achieve harmony with historic buildings by
retention of a similarity of materials, color, proportion, and general detail. The
dominating effect is to be that of adobe construction, prescribed as follows:
a. No building shall be over two stories in height in any façade unless the façade
shall include projecting or recessed portales, setbacks, or other design
elements;
b. The combined door and window area in any publicly visible façade shall not
exceed forty percent of the total area of the façade except for doors or windows
located under a portal. No door or window in a publicly visible façade shall be
located nearer than three (3) feet from the corner of the façade;
c. No cantilevers shall be permitted except over projecting vigas, beams, or wood
corbels, or as part of the roof treatment described below;
d. No less than eighty percent of the surface area of any publicly visible façade shall
be adobe finish, or stucco simulating adobe finish. The balance of the publicly
visible façade, except as above, may be of natural stone, wood, brick, tile, terra

Historic Districts Review Board, Case #2026-013108-HDRB Page 15 of 15
cotta, or other material, subject to approval as hereinafter provided for building
permits;
e. The publicly visible façade of any building and of any adjoining walls shall,
except as otherwise provided, be of one color, which color shall simulate a light
earth or dark earth color, matte or dull finish, and of relatively smooth texture.
Facade surfaces under portals may be of contrasting or complementary colors.
Windows, doors, and portals on publicly visible portions of the building and
walls shall be of one of the old Santa Fe styles, except that buildings with portals
may have larger plate glass areas for windows under portals only. Deep window
recesses are characteristic
f. Flat roofs shall have not more than thirty (30) inches overhang.