Santa Cruz · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Residential Permit Parking Cost Increase and Vision Zero Update
The $30/year permit program runs at a deficit (66–77% cost recovery), and commissioners discussed cutting permits per address from five to four, tiered pricing that charges more for each additional car, and a streamlined process triggered by building permits rather than entitlements. Several commissioners said the city shouldn't subsidize parking and that price is the main lever it has left under state law.
Transportation Impact Fee Study Delayed
The current traffic impact fee sends 80% of revenue to car-oriented projects and charges over $5,000 per PM trip, which commissioners said can scuttle small projects and doesn't reflect how new residents actually get around. Staff applied for a Caltrans grant to rebuild the fee around a multimodal project list, and commissioners want more money flowing to transit, bikes, and especially sidewalks.
Adoption of the City Road Safety Action Plan
Santa Cruz has a citywide plan to cut traffic deaths and serious injuries, and the commission wants the council to adopt it along with lower speed limits on 30 mph streets and near schools, plus a dedicated task force to study crash hotspots. Safer streets affect everyone who walks, bikes, or drives.
2026 Commission Work Plan
The commission adopted its 2026 work plan, setting out the transportation and public works priorities it will tackle over the coming year.
Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 13 grant projects
The city is seeking state safety grants for three projects: bike lanes at Frederick Street and La Fonda Avenue, a pedestrian crossing at Broadway and Seabright Avenue, and a safety improvement project on the Soquel corridor. The commission's recommendation now goes to the City Council.
Bay/Escalona traffic safety pilot
A resident requested a protected left-turn signal at High Street and Bay Street, describing drivers cutting in front of pedestrians near the base of the UCSC campus.
West Cliff Drive bluff erosion and path realignment
Council got its annual look at the five projects in the West Cliff 5-year roadmap advancing the community's 50-year vision, and accepted the report.
Delaware Avenue intersection visibility
A resident reported three near-misses at Delaware/Liberty/Monterey after an ADU blocked sightlines, asking the city to fix visibility before someone gets hurt.
Pedestrian and sidewalk safety funding
Testifiers described broken sidewalks, a wheelchair user forced into traffic, and a serious fall injury downtown. They asked the city to redirect $1.2 million toward quick-build safety projects rather than waiting for grants to decide what gets fixed.
Active Transportation Plan Update
A ten-year roadmap for walking, biking and rolling infrastructure: 42 miles of upgraded bikeways, 7 miles of priority sidewalks, and a $78 million project list. Bay/Anita/Olive neighbors fear the Bay Street bi-directional lane and Olive two-way conversion will push traffic into their neighborhood; design details return to the TPW Commission in June.