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Planning commission recommends expanded local‑preference policy to City Council to prioritize live‑and‑work applicants
Summary
Staff proposed amendments to Municipal Code §24.16.045 to broaden local preference eligibility—including live/work and antidisplacement categories—and to require data tracking; the commission voted to recommend the change to City Council after questions about verification, enforcement and lotteries for 100% affordable projects.
City housing staff presented a proposed update to the City of Santa Cruz’s local preference policy and the Planning Commission voted to recommend the revisions to City Council.
Jessica Dewitt, housing manager, told the commission the proposal would add a new Part 5 to Chapter 24.16 (Municipal Code §24.16.045), expand eligibility to include antidisplacement categories, apply preferences to a broader set of units (including 100% affordable projects and units receiving city financial assistance), and establish a formal data‑tracking system and implementation guidelines. Dewitt said the proposal reflects City Council direction from a resolution passed Oct. 28, 2025, and staff incorporated community feedback that arrived after the planning packet was published.
“We're now pairing the live and work together for…
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