On paper, developer Workbench received almost everything it applied for with unanimous support in Tuesday’s Santa Cruz City Council vote on the proposed redevelopment of The Food Bin site on Mission Street — the height, (most of) the units, limited parking. However, finer details tell a different story.
Government
Posted inHousing & Development
With few options under California’s new housing reality, Santa Cruz neighbors, city council gird for vote on Food Bin project
Neighbors disagree with the project, and city councilmembers have criticized developer Workbench’s approach to the five-story, 59-unit redevelopment of the Food Bin. But neither is likely to stand in the way of the project in California’s new era of state-mandated housing development.
Posted inLatest News
Sheriff says fentanyl, staffing shortage stand in way of allowing inmates to hug their families
Many Santa Cruz County inmates haven’t been able to hug their families since the pandemic took hold in 2020. Sheriff Jim Hart said his office could bring back a stripped-down version of contact visits this year.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Sheriff’s failure to reinstate contact visits for inmate families will be a focus at supervisors budget hearing
Santa Cruz County is facing heat for keeping a pandemic pause on contact visitation for jail inmates and their families. County supervisors promise action, but advocates say this continued lack of contact visits has a traumatizing effect on children.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
After years under siege, Santa Cruz County voters likely to see local climate resilience tax on November ballot
The Water and Wildfire Protection Act would impose a flat $87 tax annually on all parcel owners throughout Santa Cruz County in order to raise money for climate resilience projects. The group behind it has submitted more than 16,000 signatures, which the county clerk must verify for the measure to qualify for the November ballot.
Posted inLatest News
Over school district, parents’ objections, Santa Cruz City Council allows Westside dispensary by 6-1 vote
The Hook Outlet cannabis dispensary, through a partnership with WAMM Phyotherapies, will be able to open at the old Emily’s Bakery location at Mission and Laurel streets following months of community uproar over its proximity to two schools.
Posted inHousing & Development
New images unveiled of Santa Cruz’s downtown library project
The library and affordable housing project in Santa Cruz promises to be a generational shift in the look and feel of the city’s downtown.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Up in the air: Watsonville’s airport and housing clash on the runway
A new chapter has begun in the decades-old battle between growth and preservation around Watsonville Municipal Airport. A local pilots group is suing the city after the city council narrowly voted to decommission the airport’s auxiliary runway.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz acquires Toadal Fitness site for downtown library project after lengthy negotiations
The city’s $2.5 million purchase of the Toadal Fitness site marks a significant milestone in the progress of the downtown library mixed-use project; however, hurdles still remain.
Posted inLatest News
Familiar face poised to take over as Watsonville’s interim city manager
At its meeting Tuesday, the Watsonville City Council will seek to appoint Assistant City Manager Tamara Vides, a seasoned bureaucrat, as interim city manager following the departure of Rene Mendez.