Vacation rentals have come under intensifying scrutiny as Santa Cruz County tries to balance its tourism industry and housing supply crisis. Previously lax enforcement has given way to a stricter approach, filled with listing checks, public hearings to address neighbor complaints and violations, and the potential for license revocations.
Government
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Street sweeping program criticized for targeting houseless residents earns preliminary approval in Santa Cruz
On Wednesday, the City of Santa Cruz’s zoning administrator approved a coastal permit for a street sweeping pilot in the Harvey West area, part of the Westside and in Seabright. The program, which has drawn criticism from advocates for the unhoused community who say the city’s aim is to punish people living in their cars, still needs to be approved by the city council.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
With no room in Santa Cruz County budget for even basic fixes, bleak financial trail lies ahead
“Unprecedented” has become an overused term since the pandemic, but Santa Cruz County faces budget struggles brought on by natural disasters that are unique in the county’s history.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
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.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Big week in Santa Cruz County politics: E-bikes, West Cliff, cannabis and coastal property sale
Budgets, a vision for a one-way West Cliff Drive, a cannabis moratorium and e-bike restrictions: Political leaders at multiple levels of government in Santa Cruz County have their hands full this week.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Less than two years into the job, Watsonville’s city manager resigns to lead Salinas
Watsonville will be on the hunt for a city manager for the second time in two years after Rene Mendez was hired to take over as Salinas’ top bureaucrat.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Never seen anything so dire’: Santa Cruz County running low on funds thanks to climate change
Responding to presidentially declared climate disasters over the past seven years has left Santa Cruz County in debt worth tens of millions of dollars. County leadership said disaster debt will be one of the premier challenges for the county moving forward.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Fred Keeley’s swan song: One year in, Santa Cruz’s first directly elected mayor isn’t slowing down
At age 73, Fred Keeley is wrapping up the first year of what will likely be the final chapter in his nearly 30-year career in elected public office. As Santa Cruz’s first mayor to be directly elected by voters to serve a full four-year term, he has worked to set the tone for what it means to have a full-time mayor. But will it be enough to entice others to follow in his footsteps?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Coastal Commission weighs $4.7M fine for Rio Del Mar homeowners
Meeting at the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz, the California Coastal Commission could vote Thursday to sanction the Rio Del Mar Beach Island Homeowners Association in a long-running dispute over public access.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Former Watsonville Community Hospital owners siphoned $4 million for personal use, bankruptcy trustee alleges
In a lawsuit filed this month, the trustee managing the bankruptcy of the former owners of Watsonville Community Hospital alleges that three of the hospital’s previous executives transferred nearly $4 million in consulting and management fees, travel and living expenses and other illegitimate payments from the hospital to themselves and close associates.