JoAnne Vigil Coppler

WILDFIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCIES: What would you do to reduce wildfire risks in our neighborhood, with its heavy tree cover and extremely limited egress? Will you actively support improved evacuation routes/strategies, use of wildfire spotting cameras and other advance warning systems? The creation of safe areas for sheltering if evacuation is not possible? What about flood risk?

Vigil Coppler: I would work with the city, state and federal agencies that have fire and wildfire responsibilities to review plans or develop plans for wildfire risk and mitigation. I would ensure that we have an ordinance or resolution passed that disallow controlled burns during windy conditions. I would also ask residents to follow the suggested guidelines developed by the Wildfire Risk organizations on clearances of trees and shrubs around homes to mitigate loss and spread of fires should they occur. Many homeowners’ insurance programs require this if an insurance policy is to be renewed. Some insurance companies are completely dropping coverage altogether. Yes, I would actively support improved evacuation routes and strategies including advanced warning systems and ask the association to practice evacuation techniques and routes. I would support a review of drainage systems to determine if they are up to par in the delivery of water should flooding occur. If not, a plan by reputable engineers should be developed for a master plan for installation or rebuild of such systems for drainage. It’s better to be proactive instead of reactive. The Association should give input and work with the city on logical places to shelter depending on the catastrophe. Evacuation should be the main goal when wildfires occur.

ROADS: How could you as Mayor keep our residents safer while walking, biking, or driving on our very old, narrow, and overused roads? And from the impacts from runoff and erosion?

Vigil Coppler: There may not be room but sidewalks but they should be built where possible. When I chaired the Bicycle and Trails Committee, I introduced and passed a resolution that allowed bicycles to use the full lane and signs were erected to inform the public of this right. With narrow lanes, as we have citywide, this rule is in effect throughout the city’s boundaries. As mentioned in the above answer, we need to do a review of the drainage systems in this Association’s area of jurisdiction—especially because of its narrow roads and mountainous areas.

LAND USE. Even without any zoning changes or variances, if undeveloped lots in our neighborhood were built upon, housing density could double, overwhelming our crowded roads, and other infrastructure including water and sewer. How could you as Mayor mitigate this problem, from limiting density to improving infrastructure, to short-term rental regulation and beyond?

Vigil Coppler: The city’s ordinance allows for accessory dwelling units. It may be that the current land development code and general plan updates will be revised to include more density to allow a positive impact on housing that is affordable. Higher density will have a positive impact on building more housing. It’s yet to be seen whether this association’s area will be affected. The mayor isn’t the only vote, if she still has one when taking office, who will have a say on density. The city council seems to want more say and the mayor to have less say on issues. Short term rentals already have a cap and now cannot be approved if there is already another short term rental existing within a certain distance of the applicant. That in and of itself already limits approvals of new permits under 1000.

I will ensure the city does a much better job of enforcing the rules on short term rentals that invade private enjoyment of one’s property.

TRAILS: With a robust public trail system and popular informal trails that often cross private property, how can you help us remain welcoming to hikers without losing quality of life for our residents?

Vigil Coppler: Perhaps more signage reminding the public that they are entering private property and reminding them of the rules of behavior could be erected. Compliance and enforcement measures should be developed to monitor behavior. Because of the isolation and location of these trails and if budget allows, cameras could be installed. I would want to hear from your association on ideas you propose that could work to improve your quality of life.

WATER: How would you maximize environmental and public benefit from the Two Mile Pond complex without sacrificing downstream water users or the acequias? Will you support restoring a pond ecosystem fed by Living River water, by dredging, or other means?

Vigil Coppler: There is much to consider here. The Santa Fe Canyon Preservation Association has done quite a bit to study this issue and and has brought its information to the city council. I would favor restoring the Two Mile Pond and as to how that is best

accomplished, I would leave to the engineers because I don’t have that expertise to say how that would be accomplished. I would also ensure that when it is open to the public for recreational uses, it is publicized to the very south side residents as any other recreational offering is publicized. I would also want downstream acequia users to not be slighted in their rights to irrigation. I would also want a seal of approval from the Office of the State Engineer, as it has limited this pond’s potential in its history. There are many benefits to restoring the pond, though, which I believe would be of benefit to the residents.

OTHER: What else can you do as Mayor to help preserve and improve life in the Canyon?

Vigil Coppler: I believe in and will ensure that our laws are enforced which means cutting down on crime in Santa Fe. I am sure crime doesn’t stop at the Canyon boundaries. Improvement in law enforcement will certainly improve the quality of life in the Canyon. This means improvements to burglary, robbery, loitering, speeding, violations of the noise ordinance and so on. I intend to increase staffing of the police force and improve the leadership of that department so that police officers are allowed to do their jobs. I have met with the police officers formally and informally and the concerns I’ve mentioned above are real. I have a 10 Point Plan to Turnaround Santa Fe that is available on my website: JoAnne4SantaFe.com and those measures will also benefit the Canyon, in general. I am open to regular meetings with the association to discuss ideas and resolutions to issues that are current or that may occur in the future.