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Planning Commission elects 2026 leadership; hears council updates on affordable housing and climate progress
Summary
At its Jan. 15 meeting the Santa Cruz Planning Commission unanimously elected its 2026 chair and vice chair, approved prior meeting minutes, and heard City Council updates including a loan to the Palomar Hotel to preserve 65 affordable units and add 32 units for three years; staff also previewed Coral Street overlay and fee-deferral items.
The Santa Cruz City Planning Commission unanimously elected its 2026 leadership and handled routine business on Jan. 15.
Commissioners voted to approve the minutes from the Dec. 18, 2025 meeting and then nominated and elected Commissioner Kelly as chair and Commissioner McKelvey as vice chair for 2026. The leadership motion passed by unanimous roll-call vote.
City updates and information items: A commissioner reported that City Council approved a loan to the Palomar Hotel intended to preserve affordability for 65 units and to add an additional 32 affordable units for three years, with the aim of negotiating permanent affordability in the future. The commission was also told that the city’s climate action plan progress report shows mixed progress: "High level, we're doing well in some areas, not in others," a commissioner said.
Other items mentioned for follow-up include the beaches and bluffs chapter of the Local Coastal Program submitted to the Coastal Commission, the Coral Street overlay returning to Planning Commission on Feb. 5 because of a noticing issue, and a forthcoming discussion of fee deferrals and waivers for 100% affordable projects and nonprofit work.
The meeting concluded with no items referred to a future agenda and the commission adjourned.
