At up to 16 stories and 260 units, the Clocktower Center proposed behind downtown Santa Cruz’s town clock is unlike anything seen in Santa Cruz County. However, the vision remains in the nascent stages, and developer Workbench has until September to submit a formal application.
Government
Posted inLatest News
Mountain Charlie nightmare: Santa Cruz Mountains residents isolated by road failures still seeking answers
Since Feb. 29, Mountain Charlie Road, which stretches toward the northern boundary of Santa Cruz County, has been cut off by a major landslide. Despite desperation from residents, county, state and federal officials have until now offered few solutions – and a fix could take three to five years.
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Camping ordinance iced as Santa Cruz County wildfire fears grow
Hearing a public desperately concerned about increasing wildfire risk, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to stall a proposal that would have expanded camping opportunities on private property throughout the county.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘It’s just craziness’: As Santa Cruz Mountains wildfire season begins, proposed camping policy unnerves residents
Santa Cruz County officials publicly struggled through the most recent budget process due to the increasing cost and frequency of natural disasters. Now, as insurance companies drop thousands of residents due to increased wildfire risk, the board of supervisors will consider a new camping program that fire protection officials say will make the county more vulnerable to wildfires.
Posted inHousing & Development
Downtown Santa Cruz’s 12-story, 1,600-unit SoLa vision around new Warriors arena aims to thread multiple needles
Both Mayor Fred Keeley and Santa Cruz Warriors President Chris Murphy reemphasized their support for the massive South of Laurel Area redevelopment plan at a Tuesday meeting. It aims to create a new neighborhood and entertainment district – one that bridges the space between downtown and the beach. Now, the plan moves from “study” to more planning staff work – and then on to public hearings next year.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Even as city faces deficit and turbulent financial picture, Santa Cruz residents opting out of budget process
The City of Santa Cruz’s future financial health will depend on some impactful decisions around increasing taxes/fees or reducing services. Will the public pay attention?
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Grand jury blasts mental health care at county jail; sheriff calls report ‘most factually inaccurate’ he’s seen
The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury’s latest report takes aim at the county jails’ mental health crisis. County Sheriff Jim Hart sharply criticized the report and denied his office violated state law in connection with the watchdog body’s request to speak to inmates.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Roads are squeezed as Santa Cruz County passes a ‘survival budget’
Santa Cruz County will put more than $83 million into its road network this year, including tens of millions dedicated to lingering storm repairs. However, a new report from the county’s civil grand jury says that number is a fraction of what is needed.
Posted inHousing & Development
Clocktower developer: ‘It’s not possible’ for politics to stop housing project that could rise to nearly 200 feet
Local developer Workbench formally introduced its ambitious proposal for the Clocktower Center to the community in a virtual meeting Wednesday. The 16-story, 260-unit vision for the project would reset the potential development intensity in Santa Cruz County.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The man standing between Santa Cruz County and $10 million in new sales tax funds
Santa Cruz County’s Measure K was meant to bring in millions of new sales tax revenue, a bright spot in a looming budget crisis. However, a new lawsuit from Boulder Creek resident Bruce Holloway has thrown that money into limbo.