Spruce Street could close to vehicles from Pacific Avenue to the San Lorenzo River levee as part of a proposed Santa Cruz Downtown expansion plan. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)

SANTA CRUZ >> A plan to allow taller buildings and more homes south of Laurel Street in Downtown Santa Cruz is set to be considered by the Santa Cruz Planning Commission on Thursday night.

The plan would allow:

• About 1,600 new apartments. Because the area is close to the Santa Cruz Metro bus depot, state law prohibits the city from requiring developers to include parking.
• A 3,200-seat permanent Santa Cruz Warriors arena. 
• A public plaza at the intersection of Spruce and Front Streets.
• A car-free Spruce Street from the San Lorenzo River levee to Front Street, and possibly later to Pacific Avenue. 
• A protected bike lane on Laurel Street, and widened sidewalks on Pacific Avenue and Front and Center streets. 
• More seating and landscaping along the Riverwalk on the San Lorenzo River levee.

Building those features could take decades, depending on city funds and the pace of private development, city planners have said.

Buildings could be up to 85 feet in some areas, or roughly eight stories. However, state density bonus laws could allow buildings more than double that height if they provide enough affordable housing. In October, the Santa Cruz City Council approved new rules to dissuade developers from using those laws in favor of a city “Downtown Density Bonus” that allows more flexibility in meeting affordable housing requirements.

If the planning commission recommends approval of the downtown expansion plan, it would require approval from the Santa Cruz City Council and the California Coastal Commission.

A proposed downtown expansion plan would set building height limits in Downtown Santa Cruz. (City of Santa Cruz)

Read more

• Inside the plan to expand Downtown Santa Cruz — June 14, 2024
• Proposed Downtown Santa Cruz rules seek to cap building heights — Oct. 21, 2024
• City of Santa Cruz page for the Downtown Plan expansion

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