A damp good morning to you, readers. It’s Wednesday, Feb. 11, and rain is forecast to continue around Santa Cruz County through the day, with an inch or more possible before we dry out a bit Thursday.
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The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and Santa Cruz City Council were in session Tuesday, and we’ve got coverage. Tania Ortiz reports that the supervisors rejected an appeal by neighbors of a proposed 57-unit Live Oak development, saying that letting the project move forward would insulate the county from potential financial risk. Meanwhile, Max Chun reports, Santa Cruz councilmembers updated some city rules on accessory dwelling units to bring them in line with state law, but asked for more analysis before overhauling guidelines on short-term rentals for properties with ADUs.
From up the coast, Hillary Ojeda reports on an ambitious plan by the superintendent of Davenport’s Pacific Elementary School District to redevelop the town’s long-shuttered cement plant into a new school, workforce housing, a new sheriff’s substation, a Cal Fire station, a visitors center and other facilities. Eric Gross says he’s found an anonymous local philanthropist who wants to fund the purchase of the property, its cleanup and the new construction.
Hillary also previews Wednesday night’s meeting of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District governing board, at which board members will consider issuing a letter barring fellow trustee Gabe Medina from the campus of Pajaro Valley High after a January run-in with the school’s principal.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day this Saturday, Lily Belli spotlights treats for your sweetie from around Santa Cruz County – including a decadent sundae from Marianne’s, a concha bouquet from Rebeca’s in Watsonville and creative doughnuts in Live Oak.
And it’s business, as usual on Wednesday, from Jessica M. Pasko, whose weekly roundup leads with a La Selva Beach drone company enlisting help to further its efforts in unmanned aviation for the U.S. Navy.
The packed set of headlines also includes veteran local politico Ryan Coonerty entering the race to succeed Fred Keeley as Santa Cruz mayor – away we go.
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What’s going on with the Davenport cement plant? Pacific Elementary superintendent has a big idea
Pacific Elementary Superintendent Eric Gross is pitching an ambitious plan to purchase and redevelop the long-shuttered 172-acre Davenport cement plant into a new school campus with workforce housing and public safety facilities, backed by an anonymous local philanthropist willing to fund the acquisition and cleanup. The proposal faces major hurdles, including negotiations with owner Cemex, environmental remediation, zoning changes and ecological concerns. Hillary Ojeda reports.
Supervisors reject neighbors’ appeal of 57-unit Capitola Road project
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has rejected an appeal filed by Live Oak residents to stop a 57-unit housing project that used the state builder’s remedy mechanism, which allows the project to override local approval. Tania Ortiz has the latest.
DAILY DIGEST
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Be safe on the roads out there, and c’mon back tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
Will McCahill