Happy Spring!
As the flowers start to bloom, so do all kinds of projects around the community. Like spring flowers, they come in many varieties—and levels of controversy—but they all make our community a more interesting place to live.
There’s a lot happening in our parks. Earlier this month we celebrated the ribbon cutting for new batting cages at Anna Jean Cummings Park. Upcoming items include a hearing on replacing the old fence at Privates Beach with a split-rail fence, a Zoning Administrator hearing this Friday on the proposed Female Surfer Statue on East Cliff, and a Parks Commission discussion on April 13 about installing a half basketball court at Floral Park.
On housing, the County is now being sued from multiple directions over Builder’s Remedy projects. Thank you, Sacramento, for the complex housing laws!
In transportation news, the Rail Trail is moving forward with a vote Thursday by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission on an agreement with Progressive Rail to amicably end their contract. There will also be a public meeting next week to review the Robertson & Soquel traffic signal project.
You can also help shape the future of local services by taking the County’s Behavioral Health Plan survey, which will help guide priorities for mental health and substance use treatment.
And if you’re doing some spring cleaning, the County is offering free well testing, and the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County’s Free Chipping Program opens Wednesday.
Enjoy! |
Manu Koenig 1st District Supervisor, Santa Cruz County
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Image: Supervisor Koenig and GALS President Emily Mason cut the ribbon.
On March 7, we were thrilled to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new batting cages at Anna Jean Cummings County Park in Soquel. This exciting addition is the result of an incredible partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and the Cabrillo Gals, whose dedication, fundraising, and vision helped bring this project to life. These new facilities will provide young athletes with a reliable place to practice, build confidence, and strengthen both their skills and teamwork for years to come.
This project is a testament to what can happen when local organizations, generous donors, and County government work together around a shared goal. Last fall, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the agreement and design plans for the batting cages, paving the way for construction and eventual public use. The completed facility is now a shared community amenity that will benefit not only Cabrillo Gals players, but all youth and adult groups who reserve the park’s softball fields.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Cabrillo Gals, County Parks staff, and every community member who helped make this vision a reality. Investments like this strengthen our parks, support local families, and create more opportunities for young people to thrive through recreation and team sports. I am proud to see this improvement now open and serving our community.
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Image: Opal Cliffs County Park. Photo Credit: County Parks Department
Santa Cruz County is taking an important step to improve public access at Opal Cliffs County Park by moving forward with plans to remove the existing tall fence and gate at the park entrance. The current proposal would replace the 9-foot barrier with a low 3-foot split-rail fence, along with updated signage and landscape improvements, helping create a more open and welcoming entrance to one of our most cherished coastal parks. This proposed change is scheduled to be heard by the County Zoning Administrator on May 1.
Lowering the fencing and improving the entryway reinforces the principle that our parks and coastline should be inviting, transparent, and easy to enjoy for the whole community. This work reflects our ongoing commitment to making public spaces feel truly public and accessible to everyone.
This proposed improvement also reflects years of community advocacy and public discussion around access at Opal Cliffs. I am encouraged to see continued progress toward a park entrance that better reflects our values of openness, stewardship, and shared use of our coastal resources. I look forward to seeing this project move ahead and help strengthen access for all who enjoy the coast.
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East Cliff Surfer Statue Hearing This Friday
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Image: Rendering of the proposed statue from the permit application.
The Zoning Administrator will review the application for a Female Surfer Statue on East Cliff Drive this Friday, April 3 at 9:00 a.m. The hearing will take place in the basement of 701 Ocean St., Room 020. County staff are recommending approval. The full staff report is available here.
The proposal would install an approximately 18-foot bronze statue of a female surfer on the bluff along East Cliff Drive near Manzanita Avenue, in an area commonly known as the “Dirt Farm.” The project also includes a small public viewing area with benches and landscaping designed to blend into the coastal environment. The statue is intended to serve as a counterpart to the well-known surfer statue on West Cliff Drive, symbolically linking the east and west sides of Santa Cruz and honoring the women who have helped shape the region’s surfing culture.
As part of the permitting process, the County evaluated alternative locations for the statue along East Cliff. Some community members suggested placing it at the Hook or other nearby parks. However, planners concluded that those sites are already developed and would require removing existing improvements. The Hook also has many cormorants that roost in the nearby trees and smelly droppings could pose a significant maintenance issue if the statue were placed there.
The application also includes a geotechnical (soils and bluff stability) report evaluating whether the statue could safely be constructed on the coastal bluff. That report indicates that the installation would not create instability or increase erosion risk along the East Cliff shoreline.
As of today, the poll my office posted has 797 responses with 76.2% of respondents saying they fully support the project. The poll is still open here. Feedback can also be provided at the Zoning Administrator hearing itself.
If approved by the Zoning Administrator, the project will next come before the Board of Supervisors on May 5, sometime after 9 a.m. At that meeting, the Board must decide whether to accept the statue into the County’s official public art collection once it is completed. This step must occur before construction can begin. |
Floral Park: Half Basketball Court Considered
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Image: Floral County Park lawn area. Photo Credit: County Parks Department
The Santa Cruz County Parks Department is continuing to solicit community feedback on future projects at Floral Park on 38th Avenue.
Generous local donors have offered to fund construction of a half basketball court at Floral Park, while other residents have expressed interest in a more formalized dog exercise area. Any potential changes begin with an update to Floral Park’s Master Plan. The Parks Commission reviewed the proposed updates in December, and an official vote to approve Master Plan revisions is anticipated at the Parks Commission meeting on Monday, April 13.
We continue to welcome input from residents ahead of the meeting. Please share your feedback on which version of the Floral Park Master Plan you prefer here:
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County Sued From All Sides on Builder's Remedy Projects
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Image: A rendering of the proposed apartment buildings at 841 Capitola Rd (left) and 3500 Paul Sweet Rd (right).
The ongoing debate over large apartment buildings in unexpected parts of Live Oak has taken another turn. Santa Cruz County is being sued both for approving one project (841 Capitola Rd) and not approving another one fast enough (3500 Paul Sweet Rd). Both cases have recently been covered by the Santa Cruz Sentinel and Santa Cruz Local.
The first case involves a proposed 57-unit apartment building at 841 Capitola Road. Some nearby residents strongly oppose the project. Because state housing laws can impose millions of dollars in fines on local governments that deny housing projects, I told neighbors that if they believed the approval was improper, the appropriate step would be to challenge it in court. If they prevail, they can recover their legal fees. Importantly, under the project agreement, the developer, Workbench, must defend the County in that lawsuit, meaning taxpayers are not responsible for those legal costs.
The second lawsuit involves another project by the same developer at 3500 Paul Sweet Road, a proposed six-story, 105-unit apartment building near Dominican Oaks. Last week, the Planning Commission was scheduled to hold a second hearing on the project. However, the day before that meeting, Workbench filed a lawsuit claiming the County had taken too long to act on the application. The developer argues that under state law the project should now be “deemed approved.”
At the same time, the Board of Supervisors recently sent a letter to the California Department of Housing and Community Development requesting that the certification date for the County’s Housing Element be corrected. County staff were told on March 15 that the document was ready for approval, but the formal certification letter was not issued until April 23. The two projects mentioned above were submitted during that gap—on April 9 and April 22—under a provision of state law known as the Builder’s Remedy, which allows developers to bypass some local zoning rules when a jurisdiction lacks a certified Housing Element.
Santa Cruz County is far from alone in navigating these complicated state housing laws. Recently, Gavin Newsom announced that the state will take legal action against 14 jurisdictions, including Half Moon Bay, for being more than two years behind schedule in securing a state-certified Housing Element.
Nearby Monterey County is also currently out of compliance and only recently submitted a new Housing Element draft to the state. Because they are still in the Builder’s Remedy period, a developer has proposed roughly 90 homes at the site of the former Carmel Valley airstrip.
The bottom line is that California’s housing laws have created a complicated and litigious environment for local governments, developers, and community members alike. It is clear that we would all benefit from simpler rules and fewer lawsuits.
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Rail Trail Moving Ahead With Vote on New Operating Structure This Thursday
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Image: a rail trestle outside of the town of Pajaro. Credit: RTC
This Thursday, April 2, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) will consider approving a separation agreement with the current rail operator for the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, Progressive Rail. This agreement would finalize the transition to a new operating structure for the rail corridor.
Earlier this year, the RTC formally terminated its operating agreement with Progressive Rail. Initially, the company did not cooperate with the termination process, raising the possibility of litigation. However, discussions between the two parties have since led to a proposed agreement that would resolve the dispute and allow the corridor transition to move forward.
At a special meeting on March 19, the RTC also approved the creation of a nonprofit rail subsidiary called Santa Cruz County Coastal Rail. This entity would serve as the “common carrier” responsible for rail operations on all or part of the corridor in the future.
Under the proposed agreement, three key steps would occur: - Freight service in Watsonville would continue. Operations on the southern portion of the line—from milepost 0.433 to milepost 3.0—would be transferred to a new rail operator capable of serving existing freight customers in Watsonville.
- The rest of the rail line would be formally discontinued for freight service. Progressive Rail would file to discontinue service from milepost 3.0 to milepost 31.39. This step would allow construction of new segments of the Rail Trail, including the stretch between the Boardwalk and Aptos.
- Legal documents and easements would be transferred. Progressive Rail would cooperate in transferring freight easements and other documents needed for the new operator and the RTC’s rail subsidiary to take over.
In short, this agreement represents an important step forward. It would allow Rail Trail construction to move ahead sooner, ensure that freight service continues in Watsonville, and position the RTC to develop passenger rail service in the future if funding becomes available.
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Image: Robertson Street Intersection. Photo Credit: Google
Join my office along with staff from the Department of Community Development and Infrastructure for an important public meeting on planned traffic and safety improvements at the intersection of Soquel Drive and Robertson Street in Soquel. This project would convert the current all-way stop into a signalized intersection, improve ADA curb ramps, enhance street lighting, and create safer pedestrian crossings near Soquel High School, Soquel Elementary, and Main Street Elementary. These upgrades are designed to improve traffic flow, reduce collisions, and make it safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and drivers alike.
This intersection is one of the busiest in the corridor, serving thousands of daily vehicle trips, multiple METRO routes, students, and local families. The proposed signalization and corridor improvements will help reduce congestion, improve travel times, and provide safer crossings for the many pedestrians and cyclists who use this area every day. I encourage residents to attend in person or on Zoom to learn more, ask questions, and share feedback as we work together to improve safety and mobility in Soquel.
If you go:
Location: Tradewinds Church, 4252 Soquel Drive 95073 Date: Thursday, April 9 Time: 6-7:30 P.M. Zoom: https://santacruzcounty-us.zoomgov.com/j/1613616735
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Santa Cruz County is continuing important work to strengthen mental health and substance use services through the new Behavioral Health Services Act, or BHSA. This updated framework, approved by California voters through Proposition 1, expands the County’s ability to support residents with both mental health conditions and substance use disorders, while prioritizing care for those with the greatest needs. The County’s new three-year integrated plan serves as a roadmap for how these resources will be invested to improve access to care, expand services, and better support individuals and families across our community.
A key part of this process is community input. Santa Cruz County is actively inviting residents, service providers, advocates, and families to review the draft Integrated Plan and share feedback on unmet needs, barriers to care, and priorities for future investment. Public comments may be submitted online, by email, voicemail, mail, or in person at the upcoming Behavioral Health Advisory Meeting on April 16. This community planning process is essential to ensuring that our behavioral health system reflects the real experiences and needs of those it serves.
As we move forward with this new state framework, I encourage you to participate and help shape the future of behavioral health services in Santa Cruz County. Thoughtful local input will help guide investments in prevention, treatment, crisis response, housing support, and recovery services so that we can build a healthier and more responsive system for all residents.
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Image: Free Water Quality Testing Graphic
As climate change continues to bring longer and more intense droughts to Santa Cruz County, many residents who rely on household wells are facing growing challenges. Families in our rural and mountain communities are especially vulnerable when groundwater levels drop, but important County resources are available to help. Santa Cruz County has secured funding to support residents whose household wells are impacted by drought. If a well goes dry, the County can provide up to 3,800 gallons of hauled water every six weeks at no cost while a long-term solution is pursued. Residents can also access free well sounding services, which use specialized equipment to measure groundwater levels and help homeowners better understand the condition of their well.
In addition, the County is partnering with local and regional programs to offer free water quality testing for private well owners. This is especially important after drought, flooding, or wildfire events, which can affect groundwater safety. For income-qualified households with contaminated wells, assistance may also be available through bottled water delivery, tank filling, and treatment systems installed directly in the home.
I encourage residents who depend on a private well to take proactive steps now: familiarize yourself with your well system, conserve water wherever possible, and document your equipment in case of emergency. The County also maintains well completion records and other tools to help residents better understand their water supply and prepare for future climate impacts.
Ensuring that every family has access to safe and reliable water is a top priority. If you or someone you know may need assistance, please visit the County’s Household Well Assistance page and help spread the word to neighbors who rely on private wells.
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FREE Chipping Program Opens Wednesday
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Image: Free Chipping Program flyer
The Spring Chipping program signups open to the general public on Wednesday, April 1! Chipping will take place starting May 4 and can take 2-4 weeks to reach all households.
You stack it, we chip it! This program offers no-cost chipping to eligible Santa Cruz County residents for material in the defensible space zone. Residents are allowed up to 3 piles per household. To see if you are eligible for the program, and learn more visit the Resource Conservation District's page here.
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Image: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Center where I'll host Office Hours this Wednesday, April 1.
Wednesday, April 1 - First District Office Hours, 1:00 - 3:00 PM. First come, first served. 5200 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 95062
Thursday, April 2 - Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Meeting, 9:00 AM. The agenda is posted here. 275 Main Street, Watsonville 95076, CA 95060
Tuesday, April 14- Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the County Government Center Community Room, located in the basement at 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Tuesday, April 28- Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the County Government Center Community Room, located either in the basement at 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 OR in our new Board Chambers on the 5th Floor- stay tuned for updates!
The County Board Chambers are currently undergoing renovation through March 2026. Board meetings will be held at various locations throughout the County of Santa Cruz during this time. The early 2026 meeting schedule with updated locations can be found here.
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