A Thursday meeting hosted by representatives from the City of Santa Cruz and the developer and architect of a proposed project that would demolish downtown music venue The Catalyst met with frustration and skepticism from residents and nearby business owners.
Housing & Development
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Sweeping encampments to ‘reduce’ homelessness is a Santa Cruz numbers game — not a solution
Clearing the Coral Street encampment days before the point-in-time count won’t house anyone — it just hides the problem, writes Food Not Bombs founder Keith McHenry. By scattering unhoused people out of sight, the City of Santa Cruz can claim progress while worsening daily survival. McHenry writes that he sees up to 200 people every week in rising meal lines in the city and folks complaining about lost tents and property. If Santa Cruz wants honest data and real solutions, he believes we have to stop mistaking displacement for success.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Fires burn swiftly, but insurance battles linger: New bills propose consumer-friendly regulations
As fire survivors continue to navigate life after disaster, California lawmakers roll out new bills attempting to further regulate insurance companies like State Farm.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Building homes is a top priority for California Democrats again this year. Voters could get a say
California Democrats are eager to advance a pair of bond measures to fund affordable housing construction, but lack enthusiasm for tenant rights protections as a controversial rent control measure bites the dust for a second consecutive year.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A Carlsbad homeowner is fighting a multimillion dollar fine over beach access and a pickleball court. Does he stand a chance against the Coastal Commission?
Carlsbad homeowner John Levy is challenging a $2.4 million fine from the California Coastal Commission over alleged beach access and environmental violations, arguing that while the underlying disputes are typical, the commission’s power to impose massive penalties without court oversight violates due process.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
No trees, no voice: How the City of Santa Cruz is greenlighting development without the public
After Santa Cruz’s planning commission approved doing away with public hearings for some large affordable housing projects and moved a special zoning area forward, activist Gillian Greensite warns that the public could not only be robbed of its voice but of some of the city’s heritage trees, too.
Posted inEducation
UC Santa Cruz family student housing opening delayed about six months
The opening of UC Santa Cruz’s new family student housing complex, which includes 120 two-bedroom units and an expanded child care center, has been delayed by about six months due to construction issues, university officials said. Student families say the repeated delays are disrupting housing and child care plans and straining household budgets as they wait for the long-anticipated move.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz County opens seasonal groundwater testing window
Santa Cruz County has opened its annual groundwater monitoring period for properties that rely on on-site wastewater treatment systems. The testing period runs through Jan. 31.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Entering fourth term, Scotts Valley Mayor Donna Lind takes reins during time of significant change for city
Donna Lind has been a constant in Scotts Valley, having served the city in various roles for nearly 60 years. As she enters her fourth term as mayor, Scotts Valley faces major changes, largely in the form of state-mandated growth.
Posted inWestside / Downtown
What people in downtown Santa Cruz are looking forward to in 2026, and what they’re worried about
When Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud talked to people on the street in downtown Santa Cruz about what they’re looking forward to in 2026, the answers varied – but housing was a consistent theme.