Santa Cruz Local newsletter briefs for the week of March 17:
HOUSING
New housing projects in Aptos, Freedom, Santa Cruz
Construction continues on Aptos Village Phase 2 on March 14. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local)
Santa Cruz Local’s Housing and Construction page has several updates.
- Aptos Village Phase 2: Construction of 29 homes including five affordable homes is expected to finish in 2025, according to the developer. Sereno Group is expected to market and sell the below-market priced homes.
- Low-barrier navigation center, 2202 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz: A 34-bed, referral-based navigation center is expected to be built to help people find permanent housing and related services.
- County of Santa Cruz Children’s Crisis Stabilization, 5300 Soquel Ave., Live Oak: A facility for children and youths experiencing mental health crises is expected to open in the same complex as the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office in 2025.
- Freedom House, 2716 Freedom Blvd., Freedom: An Encompass residential treatment facility is expected to be converted into 21 beds of transitional housing for youths who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- County of Santa Cruz Freedom health campus, 1430 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville: County staff are reviewing building design options for a proposed South County health hub.
- Tabasa Gardens, 1482 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville: Residents are expected to move into 53 units of affordable housing at Tabasa Gardens this month. A waitlist has closed.
Read Santa Cruz Local’s Housing and Construction page
At left, Santa Cruz County’s Behavioral Health Center at 2250 Soquel Ave. is a locked, acute psychiatric program run by Telecare Corp. Across its parking lot at 2202 Soquel Ave., a referral-based navigation center for unhoused residents is expected. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local)
HEALTH
County supervisors seek feedback on cannabis laws
5:30-7 p.m. March 18, 19, 20 and 27 / Online and in person
Santa Cruz County supervisors are seeking feedback on rules related to the production, sale and use of cannabis in the county.
Leaders of the county’s Cannabis Licensing Office plan to hold four meetings in March in person and online. Some discussion topics include retail sales, outdoor and indoor commercial production, on-site consumption and more.
- Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Rd., Aptos: 5:30–7 p.m. Monday, March 18.
- Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main St., Fourth Floor, Watsonville: 5:30–7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19.
- Highlands County Park, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond: 5:30–7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20.
- Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Community Room, 5200 Soquel Ave., Live Oak: 5:30–7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27.
—Nik Altenberg
MARCH 5 ELECTION
Updated March 5 election results stand
Christopher Bradford and Monica Martinez are expected to square off in November for the District 5 Santa Cruz County Supervisor seat. (Contributed)
There were about 650 ballots left to process and 77,619 ballots processed in the March 5 election as of Friday, March 15, according to the Santa Cruz County Clerk’s Office. Election outcomes are not expected to change, and official election results are expected to be certified in early April.
- Kristen Brown and Kim De Serpa were the top two vote-getters for District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor. The pair are expected to face each other in the November election. District 2 covers Aptos and areas of South County.
- Monica Martinez and Christopher Bradford remained the top two vote-getters for District 5 Santa Cruz County supervisor in March 15 results. Martinez is expected to appear on the November ballot, and Bradford’s place in second was not assured as of March 15. District 5 covers San Lorenzo Valley and other areas.
- District 1 Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manu Koenig declared victory over challenger Lani Faulkner on March 12. District 1 covers Live Oak and other areas.
- In Santa Cruz City Council races, leads held for Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, Sonja Brunner, Susie O’Hara and Gabriela Trigueiro. Kalantari-Johnson’s lead was insurmountable as of Friday. Kalantari-Johnson and Brunner would remain on the council and O’Hara and Trigueiro would replace Councilmembers Sandy Brown and Martine Watkins.
- Measure M, the Housing for People initiative, failed with 39.45% of the vote as of March 15.
- Measure N, the Pajaro Valley Health Care District Bond, had 68.48% of the vote as of March 15. It needs 66.67% to be adopted.
—Stephen Baxter
View all Santa Cruz County election results
SCOTTS VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
Scotts Valley City Council to outline strategic goals
A housing proposal at the Kings Village Shopping Center could be part of this year’s strategic goals for the city. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)
6 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 / Online and at 1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley
Each year, the Scotts Valley City Council outlines its goals for the next fiscal year. At the council’s March 20 meeting, council members plan to vote on a proposed list of goals for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
Many of the proposed goals are similar to the current year’s and include:
- Complete predevelopment work on the proposed Town Center project.
- Improve roads.
- Promote cycling and walking, especially on Scotts Valley Drive and Mount Hermon Road.
- Advance a plan to upgrade the wastewater treatment facility.
- Pursue more money sources for city projects.
- Collaborate with more residents and business leaders and improve civic engagement.
After the city council votes to approve or change the set of goals, the city manager and city staff plan to develop specific strategies and projects to work towards the goals, according to a city staff report.
—Nik Altenberg
To participate: Join on Zoom or call 669-900-9128, meeting ID 832 9573 0901. Attend at 1 Civic Center Drive in Scotts Valley. The meeting will be broadcast on the city’s YouTube channel. To comment ahead of the meeting, email [email protected] by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 20.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Sheriff’s sergeant memorial area opens at Soquel park
Leaders of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and supporters attend a March 13 dedication ceremony for Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller at Willowbrook County Park. (County of Santa Cruz)
Nearly four years after Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller was killed by a militia extremist in Boulder Creek, county leaders dedicated a renovated area of Willowbrook County Park in his honor.
Gutzwiller frequently visited the park at 2950 Willowbrook Lane in Soquel. The park additions were made “to honor the sacrifice that he and his family have made on behalf of the Santa Cruz County community,” county spokesman Jason Hoppin wrote in a statement.
—Stephen Baxter
A plaque commemorates Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller. (County of Santa Cruz)
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.
Stephen Baxter is a co-founder and editor of Santa Cruz Local. He covers Santa Cruz County government.
Nik Altenberg is a copy editor and fact checker at Santa Cruz Local. Altenberg grew up in Santa Cruz and holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Latinx Studies from UC Santa Cruz.
