Photo: Construction at 1500 Capitola Rd, the housing and health campus. The affordable units built here count towards the County's 5th cycle state housing goals. The County Housing Element outlines a plan to meet its 6th cycle goals. The plan will be considered tomorrow. Photo courtesy of the Santa Cruz County Community Foundation.
This will likely be the last public meeting on the Housing Element before it is submitted to the State. The Housing Element is a state-required document that plans for where housing will be added over the next eight years to meet local needs. It also sets a roadmap for programs and policies that the County can implement to achieve its housing goals.
You can see what properties have been identified as good sites to build more housing in the Maps portion of the Housing Element. The number of units that could reasonably be added to these sites is listed in the Housing Inventory document in the "Total" column on the far right.
These are properties that the County has identified where housing could be added, but it will ultimately be up to the property owners to build it. The County isn't going to take anyone's property away or force people to build something they don't want to. Ultimately, each of the re-zonings identified in this document will have to go through its own public hearing process in the coming years.
The cannabis industry has seen large fluctuations since statewide legalization in 2016. Particularly for cannabis cultivators, the early days boom has become a bust. Between fiscal years 21-22 and 22-23, the County saw an 83% decline in revenues from cannabis cultivation and manufacturing. 31 of 86 businesses shut down.
These proposed changes to the County's cannabis laws would allow the surviving cultivators to consolidate growing operations in locations where they have demonstrated they can be good neighbors, allowing them to apply for "canopy bonuses" if their operation is free of complaints. It would also allow increased use of greenhouses, which have stringent regulations to control for light and odor.
A pilot program is proposed to allow farm tours similar to wineries. This would enable Santa Cruz County to play to its strengths in agritourism and for local cultivators to demonstrate the creative work they are doing in regenerative agriculture and plant breeding. Allowing consumption at the point of retail or "lounges" would create opportunities for responsible use and education. If approved, the details of these programs would still need to be considered by the Board of Supervisors later next year before being implemented.
A Third-Party Plan Check (TPC) program will create a pathway for new residential projects and remodels to avoid a backlog in the County's Planning Division. Residential projects make up the majority of projects that Planning reviews. They are also the project types most likely to experience significant delays in building plan reviews. This program would allow property owners to hire their own plan check services to save time. The Planning Division is proposing a fee study to understand what cost savings the County would experience from this new process. This will enable the County to appropriately reductions in permit fees in the future.
Full agenda: 2023/11/14 09:00 AM Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - Web Outline - Santa Cruz County, CA (iqm2.com)
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Photo: A rendering of the Coastal Rail trail along Cliff Dr headed into Capitola. In the ultimate trail configuration cars would park parallel along the trail.
Members of the public are invited to attend a meeting on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for Segments 10/11 of the Coastal Rail Trail. The meeting will be held Thursday, November 16, with participation available in-person or remotely.
The meeting will be held at the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 701 Ocean Street, Room 525, Santa Cruz from 5-7:30 p.m. Remote participation is also available via Zoom, with attendees required to preregister for the meeting at https://tinyurl.com/Segments1011. Registration takes approximately one minute, and participants may register up until the end of the meeting.
Segments 10/11 include a 4.5-mile paved multi-use, ADA-accessible trail from 17th Avenue in the west to State Park Drive in the east, generally extending along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. It will provide recreational, active transportation, environmental and cultural education opportunities for a wide variety of users, with connections to 10 schools, 18 parks, 13 public beaches, two community centers, and multiple residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. More information is available at www.santacruzcountyca.gov/RailTrail.
Participants will hear a project overview and have an opportunity to ask questions. This will be followed by a description of the environmental review process and summary of the DEIR. At the end of the meeting, members of the public will be invited to submit comments on the DEIR, with verbal comments limited to two minutes.
Attendees and members of the public may submit additional comments at any time through December 15 by submitting their comment to Rob Tidmore at 979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 or via email to RailTrail@santacruzcountyca.gov. Meeting participation is NOT required to submit comments.
Copies of the DEIR are available for review Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (except on holidays,) at the County of Santa Cruz Planning Department’s General Information Desk, 701 Ocean St., 4th Floor, Santa Cruz, at the Santa Cruz County Parks Department, 979 17th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Santa Cruz, or at the Capitola and Live Oak Branch Libraries, and online at the project website 24/7.
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Image: Rendering of a conceptual green hydrogen hub where renewable energy is used to produce hydrogen.
Santa Cruz METRO has ordered 57 hydrogen buses to replace more than half of its aging fleet. This is the largest single-purchase in the nation and generated a lot of questions about where the hydrogen would come from. The answer arrived last month with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) announcement of $7 billion to launch seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) across the nation and accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of low-cost, clean hydrogen. $1.2 billion has been awarded to the California Hydrogen Hub.
Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the seven H2Hubs will kickstart a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen. The H2Hubs are expected to collectively produce three million metric tons of hydrogen annually, reaching nearly a third of the 2030 U.S. production target and lowering emissions from hard-to-decarbonize industrial sectors that represent 30 percent of total U.S. carbon emissions.
The California Hydrogen Hub (Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems - ARCHES) will leverage the Golden State’s leadership in clean energy technology to produce hydrogen exclusively from renewable energy and biomass. It will provide a blueprint for decarbonizing public transportation, heavy duty trucking, and port operations—key emissions drivers in the state and sources of air pollution that are among the hardest to decarbonize. This H2Hub has committed to requiring Project Labor Agreements for all projects connected to the hub, which will expand opportunities for disadvantaged communities and create an expected 220,000 direct jobs—130,000 in construction jobs and 90,000 permanent jobs.
For more information read the full DOE press release.
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Photo: Trades and Construction Career Expo banner and students working on construction skills.
Trades and Construction Career Expo on Wednesday, November 15th is open to all community members and features exhibitors offering information about construction, skilled trades, green economy careers and career technical education, including fully funded Pre-Apprenticeship Programs.
This event is sponsored by Santa Cruz City, Santa Cruz County, Your Future Is Our Business, and the Construction Industry Education Foundation.
When: Wednesday, November 15, from 1:30 PM to 6 PM Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA
For questions, contact Doreen at dodonovan@santacruzca.gov or 831.420.5356
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Photo: Residential Bulky Item Pick Up.
Bulky item pickup - every resident is entitled to 3 bulky item pick-ups per year. In 2022, 4,068 items were collected curbside via this program.
BULKY ITEM COLLECTION PROGRAM: Residents may request up to three (3) bulky item reuse collections each year at no additional charge. Each collection may include up to two (2) cubic yards of reusable materials, five (5) e-waste items, and three (3) appliances or bulky items. Appliances containing Freon count as two (2) bulky items. No single-item may weigh more than 200 lbs; further restrictions may apply. Additional eligible items collection and/or collection events may be collected/scheduled for an additional charge. Contact GreenWaste Customer Service to schedule a pickup.
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Photo: A view of the new bridge being constructed on Main St over Bates Creek in Soquel. The creek is being redirected through the black pipe during construction.
County Roads
Crosswalk Upgrades
The Crosswalk Upgrades Project, aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility at key locations across the county, has begun and will continue until Friday, November 24.
From 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the project will focus on improving pedestrian crosswalks at the following locations: Soquel Drive - between Aptos Rancho Road and Spreckels Drive 7th Avenue - between Bonnie Street and Alpine Street Graham Hill Road - between Covered Bridge Road South and Mount Hermon Road
During the project period, some traffic disruptions may occur, as lane closures will be implemented.
Granite Creek Culvert Repair
Granite Creek Road (PM 2.10) in Santa Cruz will be opened to one lane. This single lane will be in effect 24/7 until the end of November, impacting all travelers who rely on this route. As a result of this lane reduction, motorists should be prepared for potential delays in their daily commute.
The primary reason for this lane restriction is the much-needed culvert repair work. The repair work aims to ensure the safety and reliability of Granite Creek Road.
East Cliff Drive Sewer Replacement Project Updates
Starting Monday, November 13, 2023, measures will be implemented to expedite street paving on East Cliff Drive from 12th to 17th Avenues and Portola Drive from 17th to 24th Avenues.
Pavement Improvements: Monday, November 13, 2023, through November 17, 2023: Lane Closures East Cliff Drive between Prospect Street and 17th Avenue periodic lane closures managed by flaggers with one lane open at all times allowing for traffic one way from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM including detour on Brommer Avenue. Side street residents shall be allowed access with caution and expect delays.
Monday, November 20, 2023, through November 22, 2023: Lane Closures Portola Drive between 17th and 24th Avenues periodic lane closures managed by flaggers with one lane open at all times allowing for traffic both ways from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Road paving is subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Now through Wednesday, November 22, 2023: Bus Stop Closures Bus patrons should be prepared to use nearby stops when the nearest bus stops can no longer safely remain open. All bus stops on East Cliff Drive and Portola Drive shall remain open when possible.
For additional information visit the project website here: http://tinyurl.com/eastcliffdrivesewer.
Questions may be directed to Ryuun Ernst at (408) 435-5106.
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Photo: Board of Supervisors' meeting
Tuesday, November 14th - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9 AM The agenda is here. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Board Chambers at 701 Ocean Street, Rm 525.
Tuesday, November 14th - Live Oak Town Hall hosted by Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. From 6 PM to 7:30 PM at the Sheriff's Office Community Room, 5200 Soquel Ave, ground floor. I will join the Sheriff's office along with Animal Services and the Human Services Department for this in-person town hall.
Tuesday, December 5th - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9 AM The agenda is pending. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Board Chambers at 701 Ocean Street, Rm 525.
Wednesday, December 6th - Office Hours. From 1 PM to 3 PM. at the First District Office at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave, ground floor. Bring your questions and we will meet one-on-one. First come, first served. If you would like to schedule an appointment for another day and time, contact our office at first.district@santacruzcountyca.gov.
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