Santa Cruz · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sidewalk safety and 'sidewalk upon sale' ordinance
Commissioners hammered on the fact that Santa Cruz is missing about 45 miles of sidewalks and has pedestrian fatality and severe injury rates roughly double Capitola's and worse than San Francisco's. They want a six-foot minimum sidewalk standard, citywide (not piecemeal) sidewalk funding, and pedestrian-first investment before more bike projects.
Downtown Plan Expansion
Staff plan to map future street cross-sections starting with the downtown expansion plan area, then Soquel Avenue. Commissioners agreed with that order, flagged key intersections like Broadway at the river, and even floated long-term ideas like using plan lines to eventually phase out gas stations.