An apartment complex is proposed at 3500 Paul Sweet Road in Live Oak. This developer’s rendering shows a complex smaller than the six-story complex of a similar design that is currently proposed. (Workbench)
Last updated: July 2025
Location: 3500 Paul Sweet Road
The half-acre site is surrounded on three sides by Dominican Oaks, a retirement community. It is across the street from Oakwood Memorial Park and Cemetery.
Status
- Santa Cruz County staff continued to review an application in July 2025.
- An earlier version of the project would have invoked state law SB 35, which would have bypassed public hearings and allowed approval by county staff. It’s not yet clear whether the project will require Santa Cruz County Planning Commission approval.
Developer
The Santa Cruz-based Workbench is the developer.
Project description
- Total units: 105.
- Affordable units: Six priced for very-low-income renters.
- Height: About 83 feet.
- Details: The proposed six-story building is a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments.
There is at least one home and two smaller structures at 3500 Paul Sweet Road in Live Oak. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local)
Approval process
Because of a state rule known as the Builder’s Remedy, neither the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission nor the county board of supervisors are expected to consider this project. Instead, they will be evaluated by county staff who have very limited ability to change the developments.
- The Builder’s Remedy allows developers to bypass some local zoning rules if a county or city doesn’t have a state-approved Housing Element. The Housing Element is an eight-year plan to allow for more housing.
- Cities and counties were required to have their most recent housing element certified by the state by Dec. 31,2023. Santa Cruz County’s Housing Element was certified in April 2024.
Because Workbench submitted a pre-application before the Housing Element was approved, the project is considered under Builder’s Remedy rules. Those rules allow developers to build higher and denser buildings than would otherwise be allowed, and severely restrict the county’s ability to deny or change the development.
Read more
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.