The Santa Cruz Planning Commission in January approved a proposed apartment building above retail space for the Food Bin and Herb Room Mission Street in Santa Cruz. (Workbench)
Last updated: May 2024
Project name: Food Bin redevelopment
Location: 1130 and 1132 Mission St.
The proposed project is the current site of the Food Bin and Herb Room at the corner of Laurel and Mission streets.
Status
- The Santa Cruz City Council on May 28, 2024 approved a 48-unit housing project and left unanswered whether 11 more ADUs would be built from storage units on the site. Permits were approved for demolition, design, special use and other aspects of the project. The council did not approve the 11 accessory dwelling units, but the developer said state law allowed them to be converted. On May 29, Workbench founding partner Jamileh Cannon wrote that “Workbench and [Food Bin co-owner Doug Wallace] do not intend to pursue a 48-unit project without the storage/ADUs.” Cannon said they are “working through the options and deciding on the next best course of action.”
- The Santa Cruz Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the project on May 16, 2024.
- The Santa Cruz Planning Commission also considered the project on Jan. 18, 2024 at a crowded, four-hour meeting. The decision was appealed to the Santa Cruz City Council.
- A preliminary application was submitted in January 2023 and a formal application was submitted in June 2023.
Developer
Doug Wallace, co-owner of the Food Bin and Herb Room, is the developer. Santa Cruz-based Workbench is the project architect.
Project description
- Total units: 59 units.
- Affordable units: Eight “very-low income” units have been discussed, based on state-set income limits.
- Height: Five stories, 66 feet tall.
- Details: The proposal includes ground-floor shops with four stories of housing above them. The Food Bin and Herb Room and a takeout coffee bar are planned for the ground floor with studio apartments above them. Plans include 10 electric vehicle charging stations, two accessible parking spaces, and 92 bicycle parking spaces. Developers have said the hope is for a “car-free community.”
The Food Bin is at 1130 Mission St. at Laurel Street in Santa Cruz. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local)
A rendering shows four floors of homes above retail at 1130 Mission St. (Workbench)
Read more
- Planning commission approves Food Bin housing project in Santa Cruz — Jan. 19, 2024
- Food Bin housing proposal to be considered by Santa Cruz Planning Commission — Jan. 15, 2024
- Food Bin owners explain Santa Cruz housing proposal — April 21, 2023
How to make your voice heard
Submit comments and questions on the City of Santa Cruz project page for 1130 Mission St.
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