415 Natural Bridges Drive rendering

Twenty studio apartments are expected to be built at 415 Natural Bridges Drive in Santa Cruz. (Rendering by Thacher & Thompson Architects)

Last updated: October 2023

Project name: Natural Bridges Apartments

Location: 415 Natural Bridges Drive

The land is next to a Toadal Fitness gym in Santa Cruz.

Status

  • “The estimated completion date is August 2024,” wrote Tom Graham, deputy executive director for the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz in an email. “Applicants will be selected from the existing Housing Authority’s waiting list which is currently closed.”
  • A groundbreaking event was set for May 18, 2023 at the site. The Santa Cruz City Council approved the project in April 2022.

Developer

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz.

Project description

  • Total units: 20.
  • Affordable units: All units are affordable up to 50% of area median income based on federally set income limits, rather than state-set ones, according to Graham.  
  • Height: Three stories.
  • Details: The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz owns the land. The project includes apartments from 250 to 400 square feet. Part of the gym’s parking lot is expected to become parking for the housing complex. The application asked for several adjustments to the building code, including:
    • Six feet of additional building height, for a total of 36 feet.
    • A reduction in the northern side yard setback from the required 12 feet to 7 feet.
    • A reduction in required parking spaces from 20 spaces to 12.

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How to make your voice heard

Submit comments and questions on the City of Santa Cruz project page for 415 Natural Bridges Drive.