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UID:Indybay-18876308
SEQUENCE:19049020
CREATED:20250510T165200Z
DESCRIPTION:A proposal to allow the construction of taller, denser buildings in 
 downtown Santa Cruz is scheduled for final approval by the Santa Cruz City 
 Council on Tuesday, May 13 at 7 PM. The proposal is part of the Downtown 
 Plan Expansion project, a planning framework for the future redevelopment 
 of the area south of Laurel Street, which city staff is now calling the 
 South of Laurel Area (SOLA) district.\n\nThe Downtown Plan Expansion 
 project was initiated by city staff to address options for creating new 
 housing, civic spaces, connections to the river and the beach area, 
 transportation and mobility options, and a permanent arena for the Santa 
 Cruz Warriors, as well as urban design priorities for new development and 
 public spaces. The development guidelines also apply to the construction of 
 new hotels and office buildings. \n\nAs part of the proposal, a plan to 
 fast-track the development of 8-12 story buildings in the SOLA district, 
 called the Downtown Density Bonus (DDB), has been devised by city staff. 
 Some critics of the plan believe the DDB is a giveaway to developers 
 because it will allow builders to fulfil the city's affordable housing 
 inclusionary requirements "off site" and facilitate the construction of 
 100% market rate and luxury high rises in the SOLA.\n\nOther concerns 
 raised by community members include the plan's effects on traffic, 
 water-use, shading from tall buildings, and the obstruction of downtown 
 views by the new skyline. Some community members have also questioned the 
 logic of building in the SOLA because of the ever-increasing risk of 
 flooding due to climate change.\n\nThe community group Santa Cruzans for 
 Responsible Development has been warning the public that buildings as tall 
 as 20 stories would be required to be approved by the city if developers 
 invoke the state's density bonus law in combination with the new zoning 
 changes. \n\nSanta Cruzans for Responsible Development writes:\n\n"Santa 
 Cruzans for Responsible Development believes that the city leaders will be 
 committing a huge UNFORCED ERROR if they go through with raising the height 
 limits in SOLA as proposed.\n \n"It's an ERROR because raising the base 
 height limit to 85-ft. in SOLA will unintentionally allow for buildings 
 twice or more that high when the 100% state density bonus (AB 1287) is 
 applied - that's potentially 16-20 story buildings.\n\n"It's UNFORCED 
 because the city doesn't need to raise the height limits to achieve its 
 housing goal in SOLA (1600 new units, with 20% of them below market-rate) 
 or its goal of building a new Warriors arena - these goals can be met under 
 the current height limits.\n \n"If you agree, please join us in letting the 
 City Council know how you feel. Tell them to vote for "EIR Alternative 1, 
 with Option B-only", which will meet the project goals without raising 
 height limits (resulting in mostly 4-8 story buildings instead of 12-20 
 story ones). \n\n"The public hearing will be held at City Hall on Tues. 
 5/13. Either attend in person and testify, or write to them beforehand (at 
 citycouncil@santacruzca.gov with "Downtown Plan Expansion" in subject 
 line). Help us spread the word!"\n\n\nThe Downtown Plan Expansion proposal 
 is #23 on the meeting agenda. Agenda materials can be found here: 
 https://ecm.cityofsantacruz.com/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=2491&doctype=1\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2025/05/10/18876308.php
SUMMARY:Downtown Plan Expansion Proposal Returns to Santa Cruz City Council
LOCATION:Council Chambers, 809 Center St, Santa Cruz\n\n* See meeting agenda for 
 information on participating virtually/phoning in to comment: 
 https://ecm.cityofsantacruz.com/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=2491&doctype=1
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2025/05/10/18876308.php
DTSTART:20250514T020000Z
DTEND:20250514T050000Z
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