Santa Cruz Local newsletter briefs for the week of Feb. 12:
GOVERNMENT
Election Guide details March 5 races
Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide now has information about all the candidates and measures in the March 5 election in Santa Cruz County.
- District 1 county supervisor candidates (Live Oak, Soquel and parts of Capitola)
- District 2 county supervisor candidates (Aptos, Freedom, Corralitos and parts of Watsonville and Capitola)
- District 5 county supervisor candidates (San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, part of Santa Cruz and Summit)
- Santa Cruz City Council candidates
- How to receive and cast a ballot
There is also helpful information on how money could be spent in a proposed county sales tax increase in Measure K and in a proposed Santa Cruz city sales tax increase in Measure L. In an explainer on Measure M, the Santa Cruz Housing for People initiative, find new legal information.
The candidates’ stances differ on key issues. Expect more analysis and additions to the guide this week.
—Stephen Baxter
Read Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide
SANTA CRUZ CITY COUNCIL
High Street housing proposal heads to city council
The Santa Cruz City Council will consider an appeal for a 40-unit rental housing project at 900 High St. (Workbench)
12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb 13 / Online and at 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz
At a Santa Cruz City Council meeting Feb. 13, council members are set to consider whether to allow permits to build a 40-unit housing project at 900 High St.
Leaders of Peace United Church are trying to develop their property. The project would include nine affordable homes. The Santa Cruz Planning Commission approved the project in November.
Members of the Springtree Homeowners Association and Westlake Neighbors Association appealed the project to the city council. They stated that the building is denser than city rules allow. Santa Cruz city staff have recommended that the city council reject the appeal.
—Jesse Kathan
To participate: Join on Zoom or call 833-548-0276, meeting ID 946 8440 1344. To comment ahead of the meeting, email [email protected] by 5 p.m. Monday. The meeting will be streamed on Community TV.
Correction: The number of units in this housing proposal has been updated.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUPERVISORS
Potential study on sea-level rise in Santa Cruz County
A potential study could examine how sea-level rise might alter areas of Pleasure Point, Live Oak and other unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. (Kara Meyberg Guzman — Santa Cruz Local file, flight courtesy of LightHawk)
9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 / Online and by at 701 Ocean St., Room 525, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County supervisors on Feb. 13 are set to consider whether to use a $780,000 California Coastal Commission grant to commission a study on sea-level rise and adaptation in the county.
The study would include:
- Public outreach and community input related to sea-level rise.
- Unincorporated county areas that are most vulnerable to sea-level rise.
- How the county could pay for adaptation.
—Jesse Kathan
Supervisors take on landline phone service
Santa Cruz County supervisors on Feb. 13 are expected to approve a letter that urges the California Public Utilities Commission to uphold an agreement with AT&T to maintain landline phone service in many parts of the state, including San Lorenzo Valley.
AT&T has requested a change to the agreement that could end landline service in San Lorenzo Valley and other rural areas, according to a county staff report.
—Jesse Kathan
To participate: Join on Zoom or call 669-900-6833, meeting ID 817 3220 2363. To comment ahead of the meeting, email [email protected] by 5 p.m. Monday. The meeting will be streamed on Facebook.
Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. Santa Cruz Local is supported by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how we are funded.
Jesse Kathan is a staff reporter for Santa Cruz Local through the California Local News Fellowship. Kathan holds a master's degree in science communications from UC Santa Cruz.
