News and Articles
07/29/2025
Deadline Approaching: Submit Written Comments by July 31 and Register to Speak for the AES/Rancho Viejo CUP Hearing
Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe County is reminding the public of upcoming deadlines and viewing opportunities related to the quasi-judicial public hearing on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. and Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. on the application by AES Clean Energy Development, LLC, Rancho Viejo Limited Partnership, and Rancho Viejo Solar, LLC, for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Commercial Solar Energy Production Facility. The hearing will take place in the Board Chambers located on the second floor of the John Gaw Meem Historic Building at 102 Grant Avenue, Santa Fe, NM.
Key Reminders:
- Written public comment must be submitted by Thursday, July 31, 2025. Submit by email to publiccomment@santafecountynm.gov or mail to: Growth Management Department, PO Box 276, Santa Fe, NM 87504-0276. Late submissions will not be part of the official record.
- Pre-registration is required to give live public comment on August 12. Register online via the AES Public Comment Pre Registration Form or call (505) 986-6225 for assistance in registering. Comment is limited to 2 minutes per person. Live comments may be given in person or virtually via Microsoft Teams.
- Public comment will be accepted only on Day 2 (Tuesday, August 12). Day 1 (August 11) is reserved for presentations by staff, the applicant, and parties with standing.
Overflow Viewing & Live Monitoring Options Available:
Due to limited seating in the Board Chambers (102 Grant Ave.), overflow viewing will be available at:
- Eldorado Hotel & Spa, Zia Ballrooms (309 W. San Francisco Street)
- 240 Grant Avenue (1st & 2nd Floor Conference Rooms)
- Conference rooms at 102 Grant Ave. (priority for individuals with disabilities or those giving in-person comments)
These locations are in separate buildings, and participants may need to walk between them depending on room availability or their speaking schedule. The distance between buildings is approximately three minutes, and signage will be erected along the route.
How to Monitor Room Capacity
Residents who have registered to speak in person can monitor real-time conference room availability by visiting the following webpage: https://www.santafecountynm.gov/aescomment/conference-room-seating
This page will display live updates of room capacity, allowing attendees to choose the most appropriate location to view the hearing until it is their time to speak. Staff will be stationed at 102 Grant, 240 Grant, and the Eldorado Hotel to assist residents who are unable to access the webpage.
All proceedings will be streamed live at:
- YouTube
- www.santafecountynm.gov/joinmeeting (Microsoft Teams access)
Members of the public are strongly encouraged to watch and participate virtually to minimize pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the downtown area. If you register to speak in person, please allow yourself adequate time for downtown travel and parking, taking into account ongoing road construction and the influx of visitors to the Santa Fe Indian Market.
Members of the Media interested in attending should contact Olivia Romo, Communications Coordinator at (505) 986-6224 or orromo@santafecountynm.gov to coordinate seating or staging in the Board Chambers.
Parking Options
Santa Fe County cannot provide parking for the public hearings. Downtown parking options include the Santa Fe Community Convention Center Municipal Garage (119 South Federal Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501), Sandoval Municipal Garage (216 West San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501), and at the Eldorado Hotel and Spa (309 W San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501).
For additional information and to access the CUP application materials, visit: www.santafecountynm.gov/growth-management.
To read more details about how to participate in the upcoming hearing visit: https://www.santafecountynm.gov/news
For questions or technical assistance with registration, please contact the Santa Fe County Growth Management Department at (505) 986-6225.
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