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07/15/2025

Santa Fe County Announces Public Participation and Viewing Options for AES Rancho Viejo CUP Application

“Live Public Comment Pre-Registration Now Open”  

Santa Fe, NM – The Santa Fe County (County) Board of County Commissioners (Board) will hold a 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.  (Information concerning the CUP application is available here.) The public hearing will be held in the Board Chambers, located on the second floor of the John Gaw Meem Historic Building, 102 Grant Avenue, Santa Fe, NM. Today, the County is announcing the various ways in which members of the public and media can view and participate in the public hearing. 

Public Hearing to be Held over Two Days; Public Comment is on Day Two Only.   

August 11 will be limited to presentations by County staff, applicants, and parties with standing. Members of the public will NOT be allowed to address the Board on August 11. Instead, all live public comments will be accepted under oath on August 12. 

Written comments can also be submitted in advance by July 31, as described below: 

Members of the Public Can Watch Both Days Virtually or from Designated Viewing Areas Arranged by the County. 

It is not anticipated that there will be much (if any) space for members of the public in the Board Chambers. Accordingly, the County has made the following arrangements to ensure that the public hearing is accessible to all interested persons: 

Members of the public are strongly encouraged to watch and participate virtually to minimize pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the downtown area. There are multiple road projects occurring downtown, and we anticipate an increase in tourists in the downtown area due to the Santa Fe Indian Market. If you travel to the downtown facilities described below, please give yourself adequate time to locate parking in advance of your scheduled time to speak. 

Public Comment May be Submitted in Writing by July 31 or Live on August 12. 

Members of the public can submit written public comments on or before July 31, 2025, as follows: 

Attention: Growth Management Department 

PO Box 276  

Santa Fe, NM 87504-0276.  

Written comments received after July 31, 2025, will not be included in the administrative record. 

Members of the public may also provide live comments on August 12, either virtually (via Microsoft Teams) or in person. Live comment requires pre-registration, as described below, to minimize the burden on the public in providing public comment and ensure orderly proceedings. 

Pre-registration is Required for Live Public Comment on August 12.   

Members of the public who wish to provide live public comment in person or virtually on August 12 must register in advance using the online form available at AES Public Comment Preregistration or by calling (505) 986-6225. Registration for live public comment opens today, July 15, 2025.   

Public comment will be limited to 2 minutes per speaker. Time may not be ceded to another person.  

Persons providing live comment on August 12 in the Board Chambers will be required to leave after making their comments, to free up space in the Board Chambers for other speakers. 

Pre-registration is a convenience to the public, as registrants will be able to choose an hour time frame (based on availability) during which they can make live public comments. It also helps to manage crowds at 102 Grant Avenue and generally ensures orderly proceedings.  

Overflow Viewing Options Arranged by County.  To the extent members of the public do not wish to view the public hearings virtually at home or other locations, the County has arranged for members of the public to view the public hearings from the following locations:   

  • Conference Rooms at 102 Grant Avenue.  Priority for these conference rooms will be given to individuals with disabilities or requiring special accommodations, as well as individuals wishing to provide live public comment in person.   
  • Auxiliary aids and services are available by request—please contact the County Manager’s Office at (505) 986-6200 in advance to discuss specific needs. 
  • 240 Grant Avenue (Conference Rooms located on the 1st and 2nd floors) 
  • Eldorado Hotel and Spa, Zia Ballrooms (309 W. San Francisco St.) 

Except as noted above regarding preferences for 102 Grant Avenue, overflow viewing is on a first-come, first-served basis. Current capacity estimates for these locations will be available on the County’s website on August 11 and August 12.   

Media Attendance. Members of the media can stage inside the Board Chambers, and one row of seating will be reserved to facilitate ongoing coverage of the public hearing. Members of the press wishing to stage or sit in Board Chambers should contact Olivia Romo, Communications Coordinator at 505-986-6224 or orromo@santafecountynm.gov.

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).  

CUP Application Material.  Information concerning the CUP application is available here. 

For questions or technical assistance with registration, please contact the Santa Fe County Growth Management Department at (505) 986-6225. 

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