Download the Community Participation Process Brochure (pdf)

Why establish a community participation process?

The 1999 General Plan created a Community Planning process that should be continued and refined to maintain and improve effective community involvement in County growth management activities, to establish a structured Community problem-solving and issues identification process, and to establish clear community planning processes that focus on project implementation and coordinated County responsiveness.

How will the County improve the public participation process?

One of the key needs identified during the Sustainable Growth Plan Charrettes was an improved public participation process for planning and development review issues focused on the principles of Partnership, Information and Leadership. This document summarizes initial community participation process recommendations from both County residents and County staff to continue discussion and increase communication with Santa Fe County communities and residents.

What are Community Planning Organizations (CPOs)?

A Community Planning Organization (“CPO”) is an umbrella organization that would coordinate among a variety of independent entities or organizations operating within the same relative geographic area. CPOs will not replace any of these existing community-based entities, but can serve as the communication conduit between them and the County. A CPO will be a self-appointed group of community representatives recognized by the Board of County Commissioners with the authority to recommend and make comments on non-administrative, pre-development applications within the community or area represented to the Planning Commission (County Development Review Committee). Each CPO will also have the ability decide what other issues they want to address and how they will be represented. Each CPO will be responsible for communicating with its members and sharing information provided by the County. Good communication between the umbrella CPO and the individual entities and organizations will be critical to effective representation.

Which communities are eligible to become CPOs?

Any community planning area, sub-areas, or established planning districts or corridors within the County are eligible to form a CPO. Communities wishing to form a CPO must demonstrate that they have the organization and authority necessary to communicate with the County and represent their community through establishment of a CPO Coordinating Committee in coordination with the County.

How are boundaries for CPOs established?

Each CPO will determine their boundaries, which may include:  Boundaries designated for Traditional Communities in the 1980 and 1999 General Plans can be recognized; Boundaries for any community that has an adopted plan or ordinance can be recognized; or All other communities or planning areas should identify their CPO boundaries based on defined criteria, such as common geography, history, land uses or cultural activities. Communities or planning areas may periodically refine their boundaries.

Will CPOs have official recognition?

Yes. Once organized, a CPO will be recognized by the County Planning Commission (CDRC), and the Board of County Commissioners, by Resolution.

Will the County support CPOs?

Yes. The County will provide some administrative support for CPOs, including:  Conduct leadership training sessions;  Establish a Community Projects Database and Communication Plan to organize and track progress of desired community projects identified in the CPO Strategic Work Plans and CIP process;  Provide County technical staff support for specific planning projects;  Notify CPOs of development applications;  Conduct quarterly regional meetings;  Conduct an annual Congress of Community Organizations; and  Include CPOs in the annual budget and CIP review process.

How will CPOs be organized and governed?

Recognized CPOs must adopt operating bylaws. The County will provide a model set of bylaws for all CPOs. However, each CPO will have the ability to revise the model bylaws.

How do I get involved in forming a CPO?

Any person who is a resident of a particular community is eligible to become a member of a CPO. A Coordinating Committee will be formed for each interested community to establish initial membership, adopt bylaws and elect leadership. To help establish a CPO and to be included on the Coordinating Committee, contact the County Planning Office.

What does the CPO do first?

In coordination with the County, each CPO Coordinating Committee will create a Community Representation Plan that describes the demographic composition of the resident population represented by the CPO and other member organizations. For example, there may be neighborhood or sub-area delineations that need to be identified within the overall Representation Plan.

How will CPOs organize their work activities?

Each CPO will prepare a Strategic Work Plan, based on their Community Representation Plan that will identify and prioritize the issues they would like to address and the projects they plan to be involved in and help to implement. These priority projects will be coordinated through the Manager’s office in conjunction with the appropriate County departments or divisions.

What is a Registered Organization (RO)?

A Registered Organization (“RO”) is any organization with a Charter or rules of organization that would like to be notified about development projects or other specific County activities. To become an RO, an organization must define its “area of influence”. Each RO will be registered with the County Planning Division and inform the County in writing as to which issues or project types it would like to be notified. Examples of groups which are eligible to register include homeowner associations, downtown or merchant associations, acequias, mutual domestics, and more.

How does a Registered Organization (RO) differ from a CPO?

The CPO would be the umbrella organization, coordinating and representing a variety of ROs, as well as individual citizens and businesses. While the CPO is required to have boundaries generally equivalent to its respective community boundaries, the RO’s boundaries may be Countywide, within a CPO’s boundary, cross CPO boundaries or may be a unique area (such as an area of environmental, cultural or economic significance, a service area, or a constituency area).

What development applications or projects will ROs receive notification of?

ROs will receive notice of non-administrative applications and projects for their area of influence. It will be up to each RO to disseminate information to its members.

What can the CPOs and ROs do?

The process is intended to create additional opportunities for review and participation than currently allowed. The chart to the right compares existing and proposed participation opportunities for CPOs and ROs.

How will the general public participate in planning?

The County will continue to explore and incorporate opportunities for meaningful citizen input in County government. Stakeholders (private citizens, property owners, residents, business owners, etc) can be notified of planning and development issues through the County’s website, local news organizations, e-mail notifications, announcements at public meetings, meetings with elected and appointed officials and quarterly regional meetings held by County staff.

What is the annual Congress of Community Organizations?

An annual Congress of Community Organizations (COCO) will be conducted to improve County-to-CPO, CPO-to-CPO and community-to-community coordination and communication. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with County Staff, including leadership training, budgeting, capital facility planning, Plan and LDC amendments, development review processes, citizen involvement, performance reports and other County initiatives. The public and ROs will be represented by their local CPO at this annual meeting. This may be conducted in coordination with the proposed Unified Communities of Santa Fe County. Each year as part of the leadership retreat process, the County and CPOs will review the program’s performance and outcomes, amend the program as needed to improve participation and update strategic work programs to reflect accomplishments and ongoing need.

What’s next? How do we get started?

Individuals interested in forming a CPO for their community can begin the CPO process by contacting Robert Griego, of the Santa Fe County Planning Department, at 505-986-6215, to create a specific timetable and community representation plan for your CPO, identify CPO boundaries and community representatives and establish a strategic work program.

Community Participation Process - The Basic Steps

1. Community members express interest to County Planning Division.

2. A Coordinating Committee is formed.

3. Community Boundaries are determined.

4. A Community Representation Plan is formulated.

5. CPO Bylaws are drafted.

6. CPO is recognized by Board of County Commissioners.

7. CPO develops a Strategic Work Plan.

8. Create a Community Database and Communication Plan.

9. CPO and County staff implement work program, participating in County Capital Improvements Plan process.

10. CPO attends leadership training, quarterly town halls and Annual Congress of Community Organizations.

11. Review the community’s program and outcomes. Update the Strategic Work Plan.