The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will review the application for a 57-unit housing project led by local developer Workbench that used a state provision that allowed the project to override local jurisdiction.
Workbench
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
I live at Dominican Oaks – I’m alarmed by the Workbench high-rise proposed next to us
Live Oak resident Virginia Lieb is alarmed about a proposed six-story builder’s remedy project planned for 3500 Paul Sweet Rd. She says the development would overwhelm the narrow dead-end street that serves as the only evacuation route for the Dominican Oaks senior community and others.
Posted inHousing & Development
Live Oak neighbors appeal approval of 57-unit Capitola Road project, challenge use of state’s ‘builder’s remedy’ law
Residents near a proposed Capitola Road apartment complex led by local developer Workbench are appealing the Santa Cruz County planning commission’s approval of the project, arguing the builder can’t take advantage of state laws to override local control.
Posted inHousing & Development
County planning commission approves Workbench project on Capitola Road; neighbors plan appeal
The Santa Cruz County Planning Commission unanimously approved a contentious housing project in Live Oak. The project, a 57-unit apartment complex on 841 Capitola Rd., is led by local development and architecture firm Workbench.
Posted inHousing & Development
As Scotts Valley’s first affordable housing project breaks ground, mayor says developer, state bulldozed public process
As Scotts Valley’s first all-affordable housing project in decades moves forward, Mayor Derek Timm laments the loss of prime office space and local control, while developer Workbench hails the 100-unit project as a milestone win for housing.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz City Council tosses appeal of 67-unit Mission Street housing development
The Santa Cruz City Council rejected an appeal of a six-story, 67-unit housing development planned for Mission Street on Tuesday. Neighbors originally appealed the student-focused project due to road safety concerns and inadequate loading areas along busy streets.
Posted inHousing & Development
Eight-story, 178-unit Clocktower Center clears final vote, capping Santa Cruz’s most polarizing development battle
The Santa Cruz City Council approved Workbench’s scaled-down Clocktower Center project — originally hailed by its developers as something “Santa Cruz hasn’t seen.” The vote ends more than a year of fierce public debate and cements the controversial development as a high-profile product of California’s pro-housing state laws.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Mobile home park residents lower their armor in rail trail fight, for now
Inside Santa Cruz County politics & policy with Lookout correspondent Christopher Neely.
Posted inHousing & Development
Scaled-down Capitola Road apartment complex moves ahead over objections of nearby residents
Santa Cruz County has approved a preapplication for a Workbench-led housing development on Capitola Road in Live Oak that has changed considerably since its inception three years ago. However, residents in the area are still displeased with the project as they await public hearings on the development.
Posted inHousing & Development
Vote clears way for Clocktower Center construction – but balcony disagreement could spell trouble
The Santa Cruz Planning Commission unanimously approved the downtown Clocktower Center project Thursday, but its rejection of developer Workbench’s request for more balcony space on lower floors opened the door to litigation.