The Santa Cruz City Planning Commission on Oct. 16 approved a consent-item permit for an expansion of the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History at 1305 East Cliff Drive.

Commission action: The commission voted to approve the consent item after a short public hearing. During the roll-call portion earlier in the meeting one commissioner recorded an abstention; the final motion to approve the consent project passed with the remaining commissioners voting in favor.

Why it matters: The museum is a long‑standing local institution and the proposed project would expand exhibit, learning and accessibility features. Neighbors raised concerns about the project’s effect on a small public lawn and flat grassy area inside the park immediately adjacent to the museum.

Public comment: Craig Garinger, who said he lives in the Seabright neighborhood near the museum, told the commission that from his review of plans it looked like “up to perhaps up to 70% of the relatively flat grassy area might be removed during this building process” and asked whether more of that flat lawn could be preserved. He noted the park is one of a limited number of nearby public grassy areas. Dan Hafeli, speaking in support, described the museum’s role in local environmental education and said the expansion would improve ADA access for visitors with disabilities.

Staff and applicant response: Felicia Van Stolk, executive director of the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, said the meandering pathway to the amphitheater is that length “in order to be an ADA accessible pathway” because of the slope and grade of the site. She said other paths in the park are not ADA accessible because of erosion, root damage and grading issues, and confirmed the community classroom in the expansion would affect the square of lawn directly adjacent to the museum.

Process note: The item was handled on the consent public hearing agenda. After public comment and no commissioners choosing to pull the matter from consent, the commission proceeded with the motion to approve.

What the action does and next steps: The commission approved the permit for the museum expansion; the project will proceed under the terms of the permit and applicable building and coastal regulations. Any required building permits, geotechnical reports or other implementation steps will follow the normal city permit process.

Ending: Commissioners who spoke during the item expressed support for the museum’s educational mission and for improving ADA access while several asked staff to ensure impacts to the small adjacent lawn and park access were clearly considered as design work proceeds.