Santa Cruz · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Commercial Permit Life Extension
Permits approved between 2019 and 2026 would stay valid until January 1, 2030, so those businesses don't have to reapply. It needs Coastal Commission approval to take effect in the coastal zone.
Housing Goals
A broad set of minor code changes was scheduled for a public hearing — covering inclusionary housing, lot consolidation, agricultural employee housing, and supportive/transitional housing — to implement state law and the Housing Element, plus a General Plan alignment with climate and hazard plans.
Wireless Telecommunication Facility Expansion at 2000 Soquel Avenue
A proposal to extend the height of an existing cell tower and add equipment near a steep slope on Soquel Avenue was reviewed and approved. The project ensures continued wireless service coverage while navigating local height limits and environmental slope constraints.
Alternative TDM compliance for school district housing
Introduced an ordinance letting school district residential projects meet transportation demand management rules another way — a follow-up to the educator workforce housing project approved in March 2025.
Seabright Plaza redevelopment at 1214 Soquel Avenue
A developer proposes demolishing Seabright Plaza for a six-story mixed-use building, displacing Ace Hardware, the Bagelry, Akira and other neighborhood businesses. About fifteen speakers opposed, citing traffic, parking, lost jobs and neighborhood character — but it's only a preliminary application, with a community meeting September 29.
405-417 Pacific Avenue affordable apartment project
A 20-year resident says the 80-100 year old house and century-old warehouse at 407-415 Pacific — once Santa Cruz's first auto repair shop and original surf shacks — would be demolished, displacing low-income tenants who pay around $475/month. The trade-off: 102 new affordable units, but at rents he says start near $2,000.
Calypso Affordable Housing Bond Financing
The Council approved conduit financing of up to $42 million in tax-exempt bonds for the Calypso affordable rental housing project in District 4.
West Cliff Drive detached garage construction
A homeowner on West Cliff Drive received design and coastal permits for a detached garage. Because West Cliff is in the coastal zone and subject to shoreline protection overlays, the permit is appealable to the California Coastal Commission.
301 Alta Avenue teardown and rebuild
A property owner can demolish more than half of an existing single-family home and construct a two-story replacement. Because the site sits near a watercourse in the coastal zone, the permit package included watercourse development and coastal permits.
Boardwalk electrical substation approval
A new screened electrical substation will support the Beach Boardwalk on property adjacent to 400 Beach Street. The approval comes with noise-mitigation and appearance conditions meant to protect neighbors and keep the structure visually compatible with the beach area.
900 High Street Housing Project (47 Units)
A decade-long church-partnered affordable housing project was upsized from 40 to 47 units with more co-living bedrooms. Neighbors opposed the taller rectangular building, traffic, parking, and potential spring and stormwater impacts; the council approved it 6-0 after swapping one concession.
Pac North condo airspace subdivision at 902 Pacific Avenue
The under-construction Pac North building can now legally separate its homes from its commercial space as condominium units — a step toward selling or financing the pieces separately.
Fence and security kiosk at 2200 Delaware Avenue
An industrial property near the Monterey Bay Scenic Trail will get a 6-foot fence and security kiosk within a Category A watercourse. Conditions now require native trees along the trail side, so the trail view stays greened in.
2394 Delaware Avenue Farmstand and Land Division
A 10.3-acre Delaware Avenue site will be split into two parcels with a farmstand, barn and greenhouses. Two conditions were stripped from the approval, including one that would have required a private security contract before tenants moved in.
220 National Street Demolition and New Large Home
A single-family house at 220 National Street is coming down and a 3,930-square-foot home is going up in its place. The Coastal Zone location means the demolition needed special authorization, and neighbors can appeal until July 27.
Prohousing Designation Renewal
Reapplying keeps Santa Cruz eligible for state grant bonuses — it already won $500,000 for rental assistance. Staff noted 79% of units permitted in 2.5 years were affordable.
Local preference for affordable housing
The city wants to strengthen its policy so Santa Cruz residents and workers get priority for affordable housing, adding anti-displacement categories and extending it beyond inclusionary units. Staff found over 90% of recent affordable lease-ups already met local preference. Council takes it up May 12.
Ocean Street gateway beautification
Up to $525,000 in landscaping plus public art will replace the current look at the city's Highway 17 gateway before the end of the year.
Local Development and Mayoral Election
Santa Cruz is buzzing about new development, and folks are worried it's changing the vibe of their neighborhoods. Plus, the mayoral race is getting messy with negative flyers, so voters are being asked to look past the mudslinging and focus on what the candidates actually want to do for the city.
Lot split at 1154 Prospect Heights
A large single-family corner lot near Highway 1 is being divided into three parcels, setting the stage for two additional homes in an established single-family neighborhood. Density stays consistent with the city's Low Density Residential designation.
Sexually Violent Predator Housing
Santa Cruz is grappling with a plan to house a sexually violent predator locally, and residents are understandably worried about safety and how it might affect their neighborhoods. This is a hot-button issue with strong feelings on both sides.
Affordable Housing Incentives and Fees Update
The Council finalized changes to affordable housing incentives and fees and adopted new policies letting developers defer or waive certain review fees.
New two-story home at 123 Pilkington Avenue in Seabright
An older single-family house in Seabright will be torn down and replaced with a new two-story home on a substandard lot. The coastal permit means the decision can be appealed all the way to the California Coastal Commission.
136 River Street Affordable Housing Funding
Council approved $623,298 in PLHA funds and $1.8 million in Affordable Housing Trust Fund loans for the 136 River Street project.
Palomar Inn affordability preservation
A $1 million city loan keeps 65 deed-restricted units affordable for three more years and converts 22 market-rate units to affordable.
Affordable Housing Ballot Measure
Santa Cruz voters are on the fence about Measure C, a ballot measure aimed at boosting affordable housing. It's a nail-biter, with the measure currently just squeaking by in early results. This vote could seriously change how new housing gets built here.
Library and Housing Construction
Get ready for a new library and affordable housing in downtown Santa Cruz! Construction is starting soon, bringing much-needed community resources to the area.
Housing Code Enforcement
Santa Cruz is finally making UC-owned student housing shape up! The city's hitting them with code violations for a bunch of issues, meaning renters might finally see some much-needed improvements.
Housing Affordability
Get ready for some sticker shock: Santa Cruz has just been named the least affordable small city in the entire US. This report highlights the extreme housing challenges facing residents.