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Planning Commission finds 877 Cedar Street Unit 1 acquisition in conformance with city general plan
Summary
On Jan. 16, 2025, the Santa Cruz Planning Commission voted unanimously to find that the city's proposed acquisition of 877 Cedar Street Unit 1 conforms with the general plan, clearing a procedural step required under Government Code 65402 for the city to purchase the office condominium.
The Santa Cruz Planning Commission on Jan. 16 voted to find that the city's proposed purchase of 877 Cedar Street Unit 1 is in conformance with the city general plan, a procedural determination required under Government Code 65402.
Planning staff told commissioners the office condominium, a block and a half from City Hall, was previously occupied by the finance department and is being offered at a negotiated price "well below asking." Staff said the building is a LEED Gold facility and is already fitted out for office use, which reduces the need for tenant improvements. "The city's looking for or has need for additional office space for its workforce," a staff member said during the meeting.
The commission heard that the city is conducting an internal space evaluation with a consultant to determine which departments would occupy the new unit and how existing space might be repurposed after acquisition. The staff member said that department assignments were "still to be determined" and that a final plan is expected this spring.
Commissioners asked whether tenant improvements would be required; staff replied the suite is "fully fitted out" with IT infrastructure and that no additional tenant improvements were expected at this time. Staff also explained that, while general plan conformance findings commonly accompany larger entitlements, this particular purchase was presented as a standalone conformance determination under Government Code 65402.
After brief discussion the commission took a voice vote. All commissioners present voted in favor and the motion carried.
The commission's finding does not itself authorize expenditure of funds or final purchase; it records that the acquisition's location, purpose and extent are consistent with the general plan as required by state law. The city will still need to complete any budgetary approvals and closing steps outside the planning commission's procedural conformance finding.
Votes at a glance: - Finding of general plan conformance for proposed acquisition of 877 Cedar Street Unit 1 — Approved (voice vote, unanimous).
