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.
West Cliff Drive’s future
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Are West Cliff neighbors ready for the influx of traffic if 50-year ‘vision’ is approved by city council Tuesday? I don’t think so.
The Santa Cruz City Council is set to make a big decision Tuesday on whether West Cliff Drive should be a one-way street, writes Lookout politics columnist Mike Rotkin. But not only do too few people know about the vote, the data the councilmembers are using to get neighborhood feedback is also flawed, he says. He leans on his 26 years of experience on the Santa Cruz City Council to suggest that neighbors will not like the changes in traffic patterns and that the vote should be delayed.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: West Cliff repairs progress despite weather interruptions
The City of Santa Cruz has had West Cliff Drive in its focus for many years, but since the winter storm deluge of early 2023, that focus has become even stronger. Santa Cruzans saw jarring changes along the scenic road that have remained in place ever since. The city installed a temporary one-way between Columbia […]
Posted inCoast Life
Carmageddon: A look at West Cliff’s 50-year vision — including a one-way road
More than a year of public engagement has culminated in the City of Santa Cruz’s 50-year vision draft for West Cliff Drive. In that vision, the city confirms its intention to transition the coastal road to one-way westbound vehicle traffic. About 50 community members gathered Thursday to share their thoughts on the vision draft for the first time.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Windstorm spares ongoing West Cliff repairs, but a new site of concern surfaces
Early February’s intense windstorm luckily did not affect the parts of West Cliff Drive under construction, but one site that Santa Cruz’s public works department has been monitoring continues to erode — and its placement poses a unique challenge for repairs.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Weather delays could affect ongoing repairs once again on West Cliff Drive
West Cliff Drive escaped last week’s storm with no apparent damage, but continuing wet weather could delay the reopening of the stretch of road between Columbia Street and Woodrow Avenue a bit longer. A section of pedestrian path has been closed, too, due to erosion around a culvert pipe underneath the sidewalk.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Massive waves push back West Cliff Drive’s return to two-way traffic
The huge swells that hit Santa Cruz County in late December have delayed the reopening of a two-way West Cliff Drive until mid-February, assuming there are no further weather impacts.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
One year later, Save West Cliff mobilizes around four visions for the future of West Cliff Drive
The community effort Save West Cliff was established in early 2023, and since then, it has published a book, galvanized community support, and engaged with the city to get serious about preserving West Cliff Drive.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Community workshop brings residents, officials together to examine West Cliff Drive’s future
For the first time outside of a Santa Cruz City Council meeting, city leaders and consultants met with community members Tuesday to discuss a 50-year vision for the future of West Cliff Drive. Attendees widely agreed that safeguarding coastal resources should be prioritized, and that the city should think twice about restoring the road to its original form.
Posted inLatest News
With El Niño looming, Santa Cruz city crews rush to tackle West Cliff repairs ahead of coming winter
The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department is preparing for the winter by prioritizing West Cliff Drive repairs and performing maintenance on the San Lorenzo River levee to ensure its capacity is sufficient to handle increased water flow in the event of a rainy winter. That could come true, with an El Niño pattern looming in the Pacific Ocean.