Draft of the 2023 Housing Element Released
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Image: map from the Draft 2023 County Housing Element
A first draft of the County's much anticipated 2023 Housing Element has been released here. It includes maps, like the one pictured above, of sites that are being proposed for rezoning to accommodate more housing (see Appendix HE-F). It also includes a general overview of the County's goals, policies, needs and constraints when it comes to housing construction.
Counties and cities are required under state law to update their housing elements every eight years. This update cycle has been generating headlines because the State set much larger targets this time around for the amount of housing that everyone must plan for. For example, the County of Santa Cruz must plan for 4,634 new units. That's 3.5 times as much housing as in 2015, when 1,314 units were planned.
The State requires that the County add this number of units to the zoning map and track progress towards the goal. However, the County itself doesn't build most of the housing - that's up to private builders and non-profit developers. In the current eight year cycle 1,043 units have been built or about 80% of the County's goal.
The Housing Element also spells out why more housing is so desperately needed in Santa Cruz County including: - The average monthly rent is $2,500
- Rents in the County increased by 15% between 2020 and 2021
- 60% of renters in Santa Cruz County spend more than 30% of their income on housing
- Only 16% of county residents can afford a median-priced home of $1.2 million
The high-cost of housing is also making it very difficult for the County to hire new employees across all positions from mental health nurses to civil engineers to sheriff deputies. In order to retain talented employees the County has had to increase salaries, which puts pressure on a limited budget.
The lack of local housing is also a climate issue because the low-wage jobs in our community cannot cover housing costs. Therefore these employees end up living in more affordable areas and driving long distances. These car trips, from places as far away as King City and Merced, add significant greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Private automobiles account for 50% of all the local emissions that the County tracks.
Updating the Housing Element is a one year process. To develop this current draft County Planning worked with a diverse group of citizens and different stakeholders involved in the creation of housing. It has also been collecting input via the "Balancing Act" tool here. This app is an interactive map where anyone can suggest places for new housing to be added.
Most of the potential sites being considered are in the parts of the unincorporated county where access to sewer and water service is available (the Urban Services Line). This includes Live Oak, Soquel, Aptos, and Rio Del Mar. Amesti and Felton are considered to a lesser extent. The cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville all have their own additional housing units to plan for independent of the county's process.
County Planning is hosting two upcoming public meetings on the Housing Element: - Planning Commission Study Session, Wednesday, June 14th 11:00am, 701 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, Board Chambers
- Community Open House, Wednesday, June 28th 5:30 - 7pm, Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main St
In addition, I will review the Draft Housing Element at my 1st District Virtual Town Hall Meeting next Thursday the 22nd at 6:00pm. Register here.
The County will submit the Draft Housing Element to the State in July. Public comment is due by July 11th and can be submitted via this online form or to 2023HousingElement@santacruzcounty.us.
There will be more public meetings at the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors this fall once comments are received from the State. The County is required to finalize it's 2023 Housing Element before the end of the year.
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Photo: Board of Supervisors
The County receives large amounts of revenue in December and April when property taxes are paid. However, it has to manage paying expenditures throughout the year. To do this it issues bonds against its expected revenues (Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes). Because of the County's AAA credit rating, the interest rates on these notes are low: 3.5% - 5%.
Most years the County issues notes for $48-50 million. This year the County is seeking to issue $61 million in order to cover costs from recent disasters as we wait for reimbursement from FEMA.
The Board will consider approving the 2023-24 proposed budget, including updates to the Unified Fee Schedule for various department fees and charges.
To view and comment on the full Board of Supervisors Agenda click here: http://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1983
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The County of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Regional 9-1-1 have launched CruzAware, a comprehensive community alert and warning system designed to keep residents informed and safe.
CruzAware represents a significant upgrade over the previous system, CodeRED, and introduces a range of enhanced features to ensure effective communication during both emergency and non-emergency situations. In additional to providing vital information during emergencies, CruzAware includes a robust messaging platform for residents in unincorporated areas that goes beyond emergency alerts and gives those residents the option to receive non-emergency notifications regarding roadwork and other neighborhood-level disruptions and information.
Each user can select their preferred language and communication channels, including phone calls, text messages and/or email. CruzAware also includes a free mobile app, available across all platforms. This new functionality aims to foster greater awareness, engagement, and collaboration among community members.
To facilitate a seamless transition, all existing CodeRED users will be automatically enrolled in CruzAware. However, residents are encouraged to update their contact information and preferences by visiting CruzAware.org.
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A coalition of interested citizens, state and local agencies, and elected leaders are launching a campaign to eliminate litter and illegal dumping throughout Santa Cruz County.
Known as the “Trash Talkers,” the coalition is focused on engaging businesses and community members to sponsor and participate in cleanups of county watersheds, beaches, riparian, and transportation corridors, agricultural land, abandoned encampments and more.
Trash Talkers recently launched a website, where residents, visitors, businesses, and schools can get involved, as well as learn more about recent Trash Talkers’ achievements. All members of the community are invited to visit the website, to host and participate in cleanups or just learn more about proper disposal of trash, recycling and where to take unwanted usable materials.
The Trash Talkers coalition includes offices of Congressman Jimmy Panetta, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, State Sen. John Laird, Speaker Designate Robert Rivas, Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, County Office of Education, Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, County of Santa Cruz, City of Watsonville, City of Scotts Valley, City of Santa Cruz, City of Capitola, local Chambers of Commerce and has been endorsed by the County Board of Supervisors.
“Litter affects our environment and our quality of life,” said Sally-Christine Rodgers, a local resident who coordinated the Trash Talkers initiative. “It is only through collaboration and sustained effort that we can achieve our shared goal of making Santa Cruz the cleanest county in the state. We welcome all community members and visitors to join this important effort.”
Keep an eye out for the Trash Talkers' Pitch In logo! (Pictured above.) The County of Santa Cruz and local cities are rolling out an initiative to install the logo on trash receptacles, at trail heads, near parks, beaches and at other locations to help raise community awareness around this effort.
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Photo: FEMA logo.
The Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience is pleased to announce FEMA has granted a request to extend the deadline to apply for individual assistance due to the February/March storms. The new deadline is July 20th, 2023.
A Disaster Recovery Center remains open at the County Governmental Building, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. In-person assistance is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Residents may also apply online for Disaster Assistance or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362),or using the FEMA app for assistance.
To be eligible, individuals must have suffered storm damages beginning on Feb. 21st or later, or have expenses related to storm activity.
For information on the FEMA Individual Assistance process click here.
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Photo: Broadband graphic.
The California Department of Technology is requesting feedback from residents on Broadband accessibility and affordability in California. To assist in this effort, please take the digital equity survey (10-15 minutes) The survey should reflect the Broadband access from your residence. Please forward this to others that would benefit from improved and more affordable broadband.
The Digital Equity Survey is intended to identify the digital equity barriers and needs of California’s residents. The survey can be taken online or via mobile phone. It is accessible in 14 different languages and includes audio functionality for limited English proficiency and limited literacy residents.
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Photo: People standing in a circle stacking hands.
The County of Santa Cruz has more than 40 commissions and committees that advise the Board of Supervisors and help set policy in areas such as land use, housing, race, gender, public safety, the environment, health care, historic resources and many other issues.
However, a study showed critical under-representation among South County residents, renters, Hispanic/Latino residents, those with disabilities and young adults. In conjunciton with Santa Cruz Community Ventures, the County is looking to expand respresentation on commissions and committees through “A Santa Cruz County Like Me,” which seeks to make underrepresented communities aware of public service opportunities and help shape the future of Santa Cruz County.
As part of this process, the County is holding a series of public meetings. Meetings will include Spanish translation, and in-person meetings will include light refreshments and gift cards for participants. Childcare will also be available at Watsonville locations.
June 14, 6 PM Capitola Branch Library 2005 Wharf Road Capitola
June 16, 6 PM Watsonville Center for the Arts 375 Main Street Watsonville
June 21, 6 PM Virtual, Zoom link.
June 22, 6 PM Sheriff's Community Service Center 790 Green Valley Road Watsonville
Information in Spanish can be found here.
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Photo: Megaphone graphic.
County Parks issues Calls to Artists for a variety of arts opportunities throughout the year. Calls are for public art in County Parks, County-owned buildings, and other public spaces.
Currently there are 3 projects in need of artists: "Outside the Box" - Traffic Controller Box Art Program, Ben Lomond Transfer Station, and Children's Crisis Stabilization Center.
Details can be found at the Call to Artists website.
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Photo: Aerial view of the 1st District.
Tuesday, June 13th - Board of Supervisors Meeting. Begins 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.
Starting June 14 - A Santa Cruz Like Me Community Meetings. June 14,16, 21 and 22. Please see above article for details.
Thursday, June 22nd - Virtual Town Hall. From 6 PM to 7:30 PM. This month our town hall will be virtual. Please join via Zoom, https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIqd-GrrzMiE9NSu9hYdcYmYUsOYFty9ZoK
Wednesday, June 28th- Housing Element Community Public Meeting. From 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room. 275 Main Street, Watsonville, CA.
Please note: The month of July is the Board of Supervisors' recess. There will be no office hours or town hall in July. Both will resume in August. |
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