Thursday, Dec. 18, is here, Lookout readers, with a foggy start in many spots around Santa Cruz County clearing into partly sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s before chances of rain arrive overnight and stick around well into next week.
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The fences blocking public access to a walkway along an Aptos beach are closer to coming down, Hillary Ojeda reports, after California’s top court declined to review lower-court rulings in favor of the state and county. A February hearing is the next step in winding down the dispute.
Hillary also has the news of a lawsuit filed by current and former residents of a Westside Santa Cruz apartment complex against the University of California-owned residences. The 19 plaintiffs accuse Hilltop apartments and its property managers of negligence and breach of contract and seek $1.75 million in damages and attorneys’ fees.
The saga of a proposed Live Oak housing development is headed back before county supervisors, Tania Ortiz reports, who will review the application for a 57-unit project that used the state’s builder’s remedy provision that allowed the project to override local jurisdiction.
Santa Cruz’s planning commission will consider getting rid of public hearings for 100% affordable housing projects at its meeting Thursday night, Max Chun reports. City planners say, if approved, it wouldn’t mean that all public engagement would be tossed, and that community members would still have opportunities to provide feedback prior to approval.
And in Lookout’s Community Voices opinion section, Santa Cruz climate advocate Danielle Lanyard argues that the city is uniquely positioned to become a global model of ecological innovation by stitching together proven sustainability solutions from around the world – think waste-free design, energy-producing infrastructure and community-owned microgrids.
Let’s dive into those Thursday headlines.
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California Supreme Court decision maintains public access to Aptos beachfront walkway, county says
The California Supreme Court has declined to review a challenge by a Rio Del Mar homeowners association, effectively upholding lower-court rulings that an 800-foot walkway along Seacliff State Beach in Aptos is public property. Santa Cruz County officials say the decision leaves no further avenue for appeal and moves the case closer to resolution, including the removal of fences that currently block public access. Hillary Ojeda has the latest.
Current, former residents file lawsuit against UC-owned Hilltop apartments
Nineteen current and former residents have filed a lawsuit against Hilltop apartments and property manager Greystar, alleging negligence, substandard repairs and habitability violations after sewage flooding, mold and unresolved maintenance issues in the University of California-owned complex. The plaintiffs are seeking at least $1.75 million in damages, and their attorneys say they plan to sue the UC as well if it does not respond to a pending claim by the end of the month. Read the story here.
DAILY DIGEST
Another busy morning around Santa Cruz County, and Lookout will be keeping things cooking through the day. Wallace Baine is along later with recommendations for things to do across our bustling local arts & entertainment scene in Weekender, one of the many free newsletters and breaking news alerts you can sign up for here. Get breaking news notification, games and all of our award-winning local coverage right in the palm of your hand by downloading the Lookout Santa Cruz app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and if you’re venturing into the wilds of social media, follow Lookout on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Bluesky to stay current there.
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Thank you for reading – I’ll see you next time.
Will McCahill