Letter to the editor: Are we going to allow high-rises south of Laurel?

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When circumstances change, shouldn’t we change course? This is a question for the city of Santa Cruz, which set a course three years ago toward increasing building heights and density downtown between Laurel Street and Depot Park. One motivation was to comply with state mandates to plan for additional housing.  

Since the city first embarked on its plan to intensify development, state legislation has transformed developers’ rights. As of Jan. 1, 2024, Assembly Bill 1287 requires cities to double the existing zoning density, and waive restrictions on height, bulk and setback, for any development that includes 15% below-market-rate housing. It is under AB 1287 that a developer proposed a freakish 16-story building near the town clock, waiving the 50-foot height limit in that zone.

If the city proceeds with its plan to raise building heights south of Laurel to 85 feet, developers could propose buildings of more than 20 stories. Many of them could be hotels under the city’s plan to change zoning from residential to visitor-serving commercial.

The increased capacity for residential development citywide under AB 1287 means Santa Cruz can meet the state housing requirements for many years to come without allowing high-rises.

Rick Longinotti

Santa Cruz