Santa Cruz County supervisors Manu Koenig and Ryan Coonerty are proposing allowing churches, nonprofits and others to create temporary housing and shelters for the homeless in unincorporated areas. It’s “a commitment by the county to step up and do its fair share,” Coonerty says.
Patrick Riley
Follow Patrick Riley on: Twitter. Patrick Riley is Lookout Santa Cruz’s county government accountability reporter. He comes to Lookout from Florida, where he covered Collier County government for the Naples Daily News. Before that, he covered breaking news, cops, courts and the city of Bonita Springs, also for the Daily News.He can be reached at patrick@lookoutlocal.com.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
As officials seek public input on tiny home expansion, a question: How to differentiate them from RVs?
California has made it far easier to build accessory dwelling units and people are making use of those relaxed laws….
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Big rate increases proposed for four road maintenance special districts in Santa Cruz County
The four special districts are proposing rate hikes that would in some cases triple the current fees. But the money is needed, a board member for one special district says, to make long-overdue repairs to 15 medians and keep up with increasing costs.
Posted inHousing & Development
Watsonville council approves two new apartment complexes, each with 50 or more units
The projects at 558 Main St. and 1482 Freedom Blvd. are in different neighborhoods and appeal to a variety of income levels. They’re also sparking discussions about Watsonville’s larger housing policies overall.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County planning board OKs proposed 21-unit townhome project with some low-income housing
The commission unanimously backed the proposed development, which would bring 21 three-bed room units across 11 buildings to a 0.88-acre parcel at 3212 Mission Drive. It now heads to the board of supervisors.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom continues to get earful, this time from county leaders, on what to do with Highway 1 homeless camp
As a major CalTrans construction project that would displace 100 unhoused people looms, city and county leaders are…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Rent relief: Nearly $17 million in aid to soon be available to Santa Cruz County tenants
A state program scheduled to launch next month will set aside close to $17 million for eligible Santa Cruz County residents struggling to pay their rents and utility bills due to the pandemic. Separately, Santa Cruz County small businesses, too, can soon look forward to more financial relief.
Posted inCOVID Today
Anti-maskers’ swarming of Santa Cruz Trader Joe’s latest sign of more ‘aggressive’ tactics, police chief says
“My officers, we’re past the point of discussion, we’re at the point of enforcement,” Santa Cruz Police Chief Andy Mills says of anti-mask activities. His comments follow the trespassing arrest of one anti-mask activist by Capitola police in December.
Posted inCoast Life
Resident pushback moves Santa Cruz County to scale back proposed Live Oak beach parking fees
Santa Cruz County officials are scaling back the potential rate hikes as they try to tweak the program to make it financially viable. The proposed changes could take effect May 1.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
State backs away from assigning more patients to nurses following protests in Watsonville, beyond
SPECIAL REPORT: The company that bought Watsonville Community Hospital in 2019 abruptly stopped managing it last month….