Santa Cruz County is mulling changes to its regulations for accessory dwelling units, sometimes called “granny flats.” Seen by some as a tool to build up the housing stock, the proposed tweaks to the rules aim to further streamline ADU development and align the county with changes in state law.
Housing
Posted inHousing & Development
Cash to help California renters goes unspent with eviction protections expiring soon
With eviction protections expiring at the end of June, advocates say the state needs to do more to help low-income tenants get assistance.
Posted inUncategorized
A park, a food hall or apartments? All are being considered for site of old Santa Cruz library
Since the building is too old to be renovated into a modern library space, the city has been soliciting ideas for what to put in the space. Two main concepts have emerged: a plaza/park with housing and parking, and a community or commercial space in the repurposed building plus parking.
Posted inCoast Life
Bikes, cars and safe cohabitation: Santa Cruz is among the most dangerous cycling counties in the state
Santa Cruz County has three times as many people biking to work as the national average in addition to thriving road cycling and mountain biking scenes. It also is among the state’s leaders in cyclist fatalities and injuries.
Posted inHousing & Development
What makes neighborhoods ‘distinctively Santa Cruz’? City solicits input on new development standards
The city of Santa Cruz is asking residents to weigh in on specific standards and scope for new housing developments — and is dangling gift cards for those who respond to a survey.
Posted inHousing & Development
Will June hearing be the end of injunction vs. city in Benchlands homeless lawsuit?
A federal judge could dissolve an injunction keeping the city of Santa Cruz from clearing a homeless encampment in the San Lorenzo Benchlands at a June 29 hearing set Thursday.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
TOLO out, CSSO in: Santa Cruz City Council gives first OK to new homeless camping law
The new ordinance, which needs two approvals to become law, is more cut-and-dried than the TOLO, and more restrictive. If approved, the ordinance would ban outdoor sleeping everywhere in Santa Cruz except at sites specifically designated by the city for overnight camping.
Posted inHousing & Development
Is end to legal clash over the San Lorenzo Park homeless encampment in sight?
There have been signs of progress in the litigation between the homeless union and Santa Cruz officials in advance of a key hearing Thursday, but sticking points remain.
Posted inEnvironment
California proposal embraces all-electric buildings but stops short of gas ban
Environmental advocates had hoped that California would become the first state to require all-electric housing in new construction. Instead, they got an incremental step toward the use of electric heat.
Posted inHousing & Development
From TOLO to CSSO: Revamped camping ordinance heads to Santa Cruz council Tuesday, so what’s changed?
Among the biggest changes of the revised law: Whereas previously proposed rules would’ve left areas with certain zoning open to overnight camping on public property, the updated ordinance essentially prohibits daytime and nighttime camping citywide once certain conditions are met.
