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Planning Commission recognizes Chair Julie Conway for roughly a decade of service
Summary
The Santa Cruz Planning Commission on Jan. 16 presented a certificate recognizing outgoing Chair Julie Conway for roughly a decade of service and for her role on numerous development and policy matters, including major housing and downtown planning efforts.
The Santa Cruz Planning Commission on Jan. 16 formally recognized outgoing Chair Julie Conway for her service to the commission. Commissioners presented a certificate that the chair's colleagues said reflected eight years of service on the planning commission and additional prior service for a total they said amounts to about 10 years.
Commissioners and former colleagues credited Conway with substantive contributions on a range of land-use and housing topics. The certificate read, in part, that during an eight-year period the commission held 124 meetings while she served; the commission considered "nearly 100 different development projects, including over 1,500 new homes," and took up nearly 40 distinct policy issues. The item list mentioned short-term rentals, the downtown recovery plan update, increased heights south of Cathcart and south of Soquel, a cannabis ordinance, inclusionary housing changes, building decarbonization, the downtown expansion plan, corridor planning, objective standards for multifamily housing, the rail trail and the sixth-cycle housing element.
Conway responded to the recognition by thanking commissioners and staff and saying she has "really appreciated working with so many commissioners over the years and, and with staff, just dedicated professionalism and skill and knowledge and patience." She said she believes the city can both protect open space and meet housing needs and offered well wishes to the commission as it faces a period with reduced local control. "It's challenging, but thank you all," Conway said.
Several commissioners and attendees offered personal remarks praising Conway's leadership, institutional knowledge and mentorship to newer commissioners. One commissioner noted Conway's steady energy and meeting management during a period of increased tension around projects; another recounted learning from her while serving in a supervisor's office.
The commission closed the recognition with applause and informal reminiscences. The presentation included a certificate to be revised to reflect the full span of Conway's service, and commissioners noted a local tradition of past members signing inside meeting-room drawers as a remembrance of service.
