Hello there, friends and neighbors. It is Wednesday, April 10, and the forecast is again a sunny one around Santa Cruz County as some spots could hit the 80-degree mark.
JUMP TO … Latest News | Opinion | Events | Job Board | Puzzles
Tuesday was a busy day at Santa Cruz City Hall, and we’ve got a pair of stories off the proceedings. As Max Chun reports, the city council voted unanimously against a pilot program that would have turned West Cliff Drive into a one-way street, with councilmembers and many residents in attendance saying the community needs more time to digest the impact of such a move.
Also failing to gain traction Tuesday, Christopher Neely reports, was Mayor Fred Keeley’s call for an emergency moratorium on new commercial cannabis permits. Keeley withdrew the proposal after it became clear it lacked the necessary support, and the council remains on track to hear an appeal of the city planning commission’s approval of a new dispensary at Mission and Laurel streets.
Wednesday brings the latest local business roundup from Jessica M. Pasko, and her latest includes a unionization effort at our local REI, an imminent decision on salmon season and what’s happening with the shopping center that’s hosting the Live Oak farmers market.
Onward!
Get full access to Lookout Santa Cruz
Become a member to read all of Lookout’s local coverage, from politics and policy to education, dining and more. Annual and monthly membership options are available — start reading for as little as $17 today!
Santa Cruz City Council puts one-way West Cliff pilot project on hold
The Santa Cruz City Council voted against a one-way West Cliff Drive pilot project Tuesday, saying that the community and the council need more time before making a major decision on the matter. Councilmember Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson introduced a motion with alternative next steps, which passed unanimously. Details here from Max Chun.
Keeley’s cannabis pause falls flat with Santa Cruz City Council, business community
With an eye on the upcoming Hook Outlet hearing, Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley wanted to pause all cannabis permitting decisions for 45 days so officials could reassess city policies. Santa Cruz cannabis operators and city councilmembers said the move was the wrong approach. Christopher Neely has more.
DAILY DIGEST
A busy start to our Wednesday, and Lookout has lots of ways to make sure you don’t miss any of our Santa Cruz County coverage. Sign up here for breaking news alerts via email and text, and for all of our other newsletters, and come find us on social media, where Lookout is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads.
Our content isn’t possible without community support, so if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member.
A nice-looking Wednesday awaits, so go forth and make the most of it.
Will McCahill