[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6560472,"mediaKeyId","3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6","parentId",3337474,"title","Council approves downtown expansion plan with 8‑story cap, arena and 1,600 homes after amendments","audioSeconds",471,"startMs",10709000,"endMs",11180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6&start=10709&end=11180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6/thumbnail_10709000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6560472/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Council-approves-downtown-expansion-plan-with-8story-cap-arena-and-1600-homes-after-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560472-6c4c46f9574b05f1098ddb13e6a6e2d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179059&Signature=WCYqN1cSX0coHq0rSGR7aCzxiVyNrhB8fc1bj6fWClJQSNzEsmMwj6aVh8XMvybha5uKwSyiGUpQebQgSlxFX9BcQEA7SvKWxJykNSJHjaqVgYEA~xnbFpDhWCdMcAuIKD0Xf78NYK47wUzG0~9cYG11r5mABVBQ8WJRtyM~NwXEBOg0OVVDV-t4wLN0gQ~UyUEr~H~ae-nizFgyAVSPMfrUu~a~gq0Af75OzfpUkNYyybSO6HPKBlIxYHMn-B2X28mjzDxFEeyBMK9Bu3WJa9sTOO3JlY2TG-Y-IlUWNghnDSNPfItMJCbD8vXJvuRpiiyj-8qtDbiWreg86tBVpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-15T02:54:21Z","article","The Santa Cruz City Council voted to adopt a package of planning and zoning changes to expand the downtown plan south of Laurel Street, clearing a path for a permanent Santa Cruz Warriors arena, a new Spruce Street plaza and up to 1,600 new housing units — at least 20 percent of which must be below‑market — while limiting most buildings to eight stories.

Council members adopted the actions after several days of public hearings and an extensive environmental review. Council member Scott Newsom offered the motion with amendments that the council approved; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Kalantari Johnson and passed on a roll‑call vote.

Why it matters: The package is the most significant downtown planning decision in years. Supporters say it will bring housing, jobs and year‑round activity to a portion of downtown currently dominated by surface parking. Opponents raised concerns about scale, parking, and impacts on local services and character. Council members moved to limit maximum heights, tighten in‑lieu affordability rules and direct staff to produce citywide design tools to guide future projects.

Key provisions and limits
- Plan area: The council added the South‑of‑Laurel (SoLa) district to the downtown plan, covering roughly four city blocks east of Pacific Avenue down to the San Lorenzo River and parcels along Front and Lower Center Street.
- Housing: The plan establishes a development program that enables up to 1,600 housing units in the district and includes a new downtown density bonus intended to deliver a higher share of below‑market housing than state density bonus options. Council required a minimum of 20 percent of the new units to be affordable.
- Arena and public realm: The plan includes design guidance and setbacks that create a two‑block Spruce Street plaza connecting Pacific Avenue to the riverwalk, enhanced riverfront activation, and a new roundabout at Pacific and Front to improve circulation. The Warriors organization and city staff say the zoning changes are a key piece of a financing strategy for a new 2,500–3,000 seat arena and mixed‑use development.
- Height limits and incentives: Council adopted Newsom’s amendment to limit most buildings to a maximum of 85 feet (roughly an eight‑story practical limit for wood‑frame code) and to constrain any additional incentives so the city’s program is an alternative to the state density bonus. Council also added new conditions on in‑lieu fees for affordability to ensure fees are spent on projects that will be entitled within five years or otherwise demonstrably preserve affordable bedrooms.

Council and staff reasoning
Planning staff and the project consultant described the package as a balanced approach that concentrates new development in an already developed, infrastructure‑served area while creating public amenities and a riverfront connection. Senior planner Sarah Noisy said the draft environmental review examined reasonably foreseeable development scenarios and that the adopted amendments include stricter local controls than the state density bonus would allow. Consultant Bill Wiseman and others presented visual concepts and described the Spruce Street plaza and riverwalk link as the central public‑space investment that makes the arena and housing mutually supportive.

Public response and main concerns
Supporters — including business groups, the Warriors, the Santa Cruz Symphony and several nonprofit partners — said the arena and dense, mixed‑use development will bring jobs, visitors and year‑round customers to downtown businesses. The Warriors’ president Chris Murphy said the team wishes “to stay in Santa Cruz for the long term” and described conceptual renderings of a plaza‑oriented arena that could host games and other events.

Opponents raised repeated concerns about building scale, traffic, parking and the adequacy of environmental review for the tallest possible outcomes under state law. Several speakers asked council to delay or scale back the project and pushed for stronger guarantees about permanently affordable housing and labor standards for construction.

What the vote covered
The council certified the final subsequent environmental impact report, adopted the downtown plan amendment, approved amendments to the Local Coastal Program and related LCP implementation language, and introduced related zoning and code changes for publication. Council also directed staff to return with implementation details, including design guidance and monitoring tools.

What comes next
Staff will finalize ordinance language and return for second reading and related resolutions; the plan requires subsequent Local Coastal Program certification steps with the California Coastal Commission for LCP changes that affect Coastal Commission jurisdiction.

Ending
Council members framed the vote as a compromise between opposing community priorities: moving forward on housing and a permanent arena while limiting height and strengthening affordability and design commitments. The council also directed staff to develop citywide design guidance and to continue community outreach during implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Santa Cruz City Council 05/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Santa Cruz City Council voted to adopt a package of general plan, zoning and Local Coastal Program amendments to expand downtown south of Laurel Street, enabling a permanent Warriors arena, new riverfront public space and a pathway for about 1,600 homes while limiting most new buildings to about eight stories.","taxTitle","Santa Cruz County, California","taxId",4172,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560452,"Votes at a glance: key council actions on housing, public safety, youth and planning",7860,2730000,10590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6&start=2730&end=10590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6/thumbnail_2730000.jpg","/articles/6560452/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-key-council-actions-on-housing-public-safety-youth-and-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560452-d277da00e8c9651a42c2e59f018358c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179059&Signature=OU5JWd4zc9GKQfIbxb2tBV9F0FHiU~MXoyDzLavzGKJ~fdeB30RDMTHFCjIMJEwcGSBYdd~uaejz8x4LI9vhFL6eOdIFvaDOzrPxC9e8vG986HH6Sg5glYo8BAtYwcU0sZoeF90eX6LXu70fbZ-~1i8JBmfP4Pk5MLQQeOAW7ZJveKsNv6ysfzEntA9MTF-siHMP-hV2i~UARNIJMPpb6krI1S0CdhC~rxvjMkE1g0-jhUko37HY1RSgTOHKWhz5wRqEYokT6gDuUH0KA-~yqIeVeikFb3CHbjHfdpnAmRdJI0stflCZE7ZfJO8iQS9KPCaU4EW-VfhzdS0oeYd1yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Cruz City Council recorded the following formal outcomes at the May meeting. This serves as a concise reference for motions, movers/seconders and roll‑call tallies reported at the meeting.

Consent calendar
- Items 7–16 (consent): Approved as a block. Clerk recorded ayes from all present council members. (Motion passed.)
- Item 9 (CORE ad hoc committee): Council approved formation of an ad hoc committee to explore the city’s role in CORE and alignment with county efforts. (Mover: Council member Tragero; motion passed.)

Key final actions and outcomes
1) Saint George settlement and ordinance rescission (Agenda item 17)
- Motion: Adopt staff recommendation to implement settlement (limits on rent increases, refunds for July 2024 notices) and rescind municipal code language tied to litigation.
- Mover/Second: Scott Newsom / Kalantari Johnson
- Vote: Unanimous recorded yes votes by the council present (motion passed).

2) Fire Department community risk assessment (Agenda item 18)
- Motion: Accept the community risk assessment, standards of cover and deployment analysis report and direct staff to incorporate recommendations into capital and budget planning.
- Vote: Unanimous recorded yes votes by council present (motion passed).

3) Youth well‑being report (Agenda item 20)
- Motion: Accept staff report and recognize youth liaisons; direct staff to integrate findings into budgeting and programs.
- Mover/Second: Council member Golder / Council member Bruner
- Vote: Unanimous recorded yes votes (Bruner recused on a different item noted elsewhere) (motion passed).

4) Homeless Garden Project / 2394 Delaware (Agenda item 24)
- Motion: Approve staff recommendations to redesignate the northern four acres for agriculture/grazing, cluster future housing capacity to the southern portion and submit the LCP certification materials for the certified portion; return for second hearing and transmit materials to the Coastal Commission.
- Vote: Motion passed by recorded vote (ayes recorded).

5) Downtown expansion plan (Agenda item 23)
- Motion: Introduce for publication the ordinances and adopt LCP and General Plan amendments to add the South‑of‑Laurel district to the downtown plan, with council amendments limiting most building heights to an 85‑foot practical cap, tightening in‑lieu fee timing, and directing design guidance work and other implementation steps.
- Mover/Second: Scott Newsom / Kalantari Johnson
- Vote: Motion passed by recorded roll call (ayes recorded; Bruner recused on other items earlier).

6) Leonard Street general plan map amendment (Agenda item 25)
- Motion: Adopt resolution amending the General Plan land use map for three parcels at Leonard Street and May Avenue to preserve neighborhood scale and avoid hotel conversions that would change neighborhood character.
- Vote: Motion passed (Bruner recused from this item earlier in the agenda).

Notes and next steps
- Many of the plan and code amendments approved or introduced require follow‑up action: final ordinances, return for second readings, and Local Coastal Program certification where applicable.
- For items involving capital and staffing (fire SOC report) or housing implementation (downtown expansion), staff will return with prioritized budgets, detailed implementation schedules and grant pursuits.

Ending
This summary captures the official motions, movers and reported council roll‑call outcomes from the meeting; staff reports and adopted resolutions/ordinances will provide the authoritative text and dates for implementation.","Summary of formal council votes taken at the May council meeting, including consent calendar approvals, St. George settlement, acceptance of the fire department SOC report, adoption of the youth well‑being report, approval of the Homeless Garden site action, the downtown expansion package and a Leonard Street general plan amendment.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560457,"Council adopts biannual youth well‑being report and recognizes four youth liaisons",1325,11275000,12600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6&start=11275&end=12600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6/thumbnail_11275000.jpg","/articles/6560457/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Council-adopts-biannual-youth-wellbeing-report-and-recognizes-four-youth-liaisons","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560457-c32ec432657603a0491a38507ff06ac6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179059&Signature=VA-NVRSqohLfBNce~mmJtPyENBm3kY0JH0SjC8Mb4iUOBhvf1y8u~XIJFcDj-tgaGu0nZjyaA84K~KhgqEeE9fTtQawLuPJBuyoSR7ejWg90ydZHJ8UdbzBOrYRuypp4mt78a7nJMG5H6TO7R0AFu2DIEwd-3XbMTTxRgb0hZW9WhlZqTqkRqGyhPayNgPbETDEBWgGxKr6E~aYDHLSLhDe4MBc5rfrEfaW0z0DmaJmMu1uiN3XDaXHbvipdYiWivu7Yd228SmY1bv7icUzbSh831M4TnqQb7gtBZEvAG4MPsI25aFh-ThLHB5175Li9Xofnf3DlPz8JWCG-WdLUiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council accepted the 2024–25 State of Child and Youth Well‑Being report and recognized four city youth liaisons for their work on the report and community engagement.

What the report does
The report, prepared with staff and consultant support, summarizes community data, surveys and a youth‑focused town hall. It identifies strengths and promising trends (for example, expanded liaison participation and youth outreach) and challenges including childcare availability and mental health needs among young people. The staff summary emphasized that the report is intended to be an ongoing tool to inform budgeting and policy decisions.

Youth presentation
Vice Mayor Kalantari Johnson introduced four youth liaisons who co‑designed engagement and helped write the report: Sammy Lambert, Alan Lee, Ben Somerville and Scarlett Folger. Sammy Lambert told council, “I do recommend the council consider formalizing youth involvement in the making of general youth population” and described the group’s work on recreation and teen‑center priorities. Scarlett Folger summarized a school‑based awareness week on sexual assault prevention she helped pilot and asked the city to expand youth liaison participation in city commissions where appropriate.

Council action and next steps
The council voted unanimously to accept the staff report and the recommendations. Council directed staff to incorporate the report findings into budget and policy planning and to continue the youth liaison program. Council members asked for additional data sources and suggested integrating youth input into major planning items where appropriate.

Ending
Council presented certificates of appreciation to the youth liaisons and urged continued youth engagement as the city integrates the report’s findings into future budgets and programs.","Council accepted the 2024–25 State of Child and Youth Well‑Being report and received presentations from four youth liaisons who took part in the project. The report highlights strengths, gaps and five opportunities for action and recommends increased youth engagement and supports for mental health, childcare and accessible programming.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560462,"City accepts fire department risk assessment; report recommends station upgrades, training center and marine safety steps",1544,12146000,13690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6&start=12146&end=13690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6/thumbnail_12146000.jpg","/articles/6560462/Santa-Cruz-County/California/City-accepts-fire-department-risk-assessment-report-recommends-station-upgrades-training-center-and-marine-safety-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560462-5cb26e4142d3c9d8395307d744e31c6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179059&Signature=JMizWT95EtIV3VylR8FWlp0l482~owPN16jaQBTkUgEPF-klgR9Ij7yeqQBiLjGLrSqqolr1UXtw8F3I4H9bNf63T82qWedPCXh6cxoMrFW-V4ZKNIqF1LBEPGBX5UYYoBqOgyvI2UOV95Pqwrnim8RJ4xJXT~DSv-l73NHrNeOFpSMPkXEq4MaZVH65teS5inyXNjBY7UHAI-~oMTCIgMXky0B2Us4jnzlbFZx2l99YJmGIsTIMBpBS1b~T9ScDpJACq~QhOLClnCwoXAWI5Nn6cGbrz7oSImE6T2ZaT~ZdS7NqE0p63xc5vO-6N3LpqDUthibXDp~6~V7sTOm12w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council accepted a comprehensive community risk assessment, standards of cover and deployment analysis prepared with AP Triton that evaluated Santa Cruz Fire Department operations, facilities, and response performance.

Findings and recommendations
AP Triton and the department presented a point‑in‑time study that found the department is generally sized for today’s risk profile but faces capital and staffing challenges. Consultant David Rocha said operationally \"the department is appropriately sized for the risk that you have today,\" while noting gaps in station condition, a lack of a dedicated training facility, marine safety supervisory staffing needs, and long apparatus delivery times.

Key recommendations in the report include:
- Facility investments: remodels to several stations, major overhaul or rebuild of headquarters, and a recommended new Station 5/training complex to address an underserved northeastern corridor;
- Marine safety: acquisition of an all‑risk fire/rescue vessel rather than relying on borrowed boats;
- Staffing and deployment: consider a 12‑hour surge unit to relieve heavy unit utilization at Stations 1 and 2; strengthen training staff; and track reserve‑unit utilization consistently;
- Data and performance: adopt performance standards and quality assurance for dispatch, turnout and travel time reporting and improve data integration across lifeguard and fire reporting systems.

Council action
Council member [moved the staff recommendation]; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote. Council members asked about funding options, regional collaboration and the role of UCSC growth in future demand. The chief and staff identified federal and state grants (including port security grants for marine assets), apparatus replacement reserves, and public safety impact fees as potential revenue sources. Staff also noted an existing apparatus replacement fund and recent investments in rolling stock.

Public comment
Residents and stakeholders — including representatives who referenced county consolidation feasibility studies and community safety pilot programs — urged a focus on regional coordination, evacuation planning and seismic resilience for infrastructure in tsunami and liquefaction‑prone areas.

Next steps
Staff will incorporate the report recommendations into the department’s capital and staffing plans, pursue grant opportunities (including port security funding for marine assets), and present prioritized facility and apparatus proposals in future budget cycles.

Ending
Council framed the report as a strategic roadmap to guide capital investment and deployment changes to keep pace with development, UCSC growth and changing emergency demand.","The council accepted a community risk assessment, standards of cover and deployment analysis that recommends station upgrades, a new training center, a fireboat and consideration of a 12‑hour surge unit to address underserved areas and future demand driven by UCSC growth.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560467,"Council ratifies settlement and ordinance package protecting Saint George tenants; landlord rent increases limited",0,8846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6&start=8846&end=8846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337474-277b55561f81d34f880c8dc93f70c7d6/thumbnail_8846000.jpg","/articles/6560467/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Council-ratifies-settlement-and-ordinance-package-protecting-Saint-George-tenants-landlord-rent-increases-limited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560467-6120bd672f57c946acbd1d734d56474e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179059&Signature=CwciCKw5k1AY1aGohkGR1kV1SY0vd9ei264TY7cLNgal-ReTP4WB9Q4hugAB71bezL4NGiAwmwkOR8NUqc02tYNWvlaxf7uBvRRV7yNBIFlz~5nvlQ4v~iMTzVged9nb46yYc6O9z6nio5xRnCl9wu5QZnCgh~RHxAymQnpm6jYp-xKcLTNSvy3apU0fW1iHynn4IdBlUbKItQRXf78mwRCPX78S3QxIzckpnGGzO1xffRVuBkEIn3AckAidZDv8TnQvr24-bxY6LPx5UxE6ZtQCcHR98hMMYWn~bjtAKZI7WIEdBGncYVIgwlyLeeV5HhReqHxMSfO0msiLhanFeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council accepted a settlement agreement between the city and the owner of the St. George Apartments and adopted the staff recommendation tied to implementing the negotiated terms.

What the settlement does: Assistant City Attorney Cassie Bronson told the council the agreement prevents the landlord from raising rents on non‑voucher tenants by more than 8.8 percent and imposes limits on increases for units with Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers. Bronson said, “the settlement agreement prevents the landlord from raising rents on tenants that don't have housing choice vouchers, and that can't be more than 8.8%.” The settlement also requires the landlord to refund any tenants who paid under the notice the owner issued in July 2024 and to provide a 90‑day notice before any increase becomes effective.

Council action and context
Council member Scott Newsom moved to adopt the staff recommendation; Vice Mayor Kalantari Johnson seconded the motion. Council approved the motion on a roll call vote. City staff told council that the city has discretion over rescinding the municipal code provision at issue and that, per the settlement, if the city did not rescind the ordinance the agreement would be null and litigation would continue.

Public comment
A number of St. George residents spoke during public comment to ask for stable rents and to thank council members and staff. Resident John Doherty, who identified himself as a longtime St. George resident, told council he hoped the settlement would not require tenants to pay past due rent.

Next steps
Staff will return with the ordinance rescission and finalize administrative steps required by the settlement; the settlement also anticipates associated consent‑calendar claim actions listed earlier in the agenda.

Ending
Council framed the settlement as a tool to provide tenant stability while preserving the city's discretion and concluding litigation risk if the rescission and related steps are taken.","The council accepted a settlement resolving litigation over the St. George Apartments and moved to rescind the emergency ordinance tied to the dispute. The settlement bars enforcement of July 2024 tenant notices, limits rent increases and requires refunds for tenants who paid under those notices.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves downtown expansion plan with 8‑story cap, arena and 1,600 homes after amendments

Votes at a glance: key council actions on housing, public safety, youth and planning

Council adopts biannual youth well‑being report and recognizes four youth liaisons

City accepts fire department risk assessment; report recommends station upgrades, training center and marine safety steps

Council ratifies settlement and ordinance package protecting Saint George tenants; landlord rent increases limited