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Redistricting, Tiny Homes, and Fire Prevention, By Manu Koenig
FEATURED COLUMNIST Redistricting, Tiny Homes, and Fire Prevention
By Manu Koenig, Supervisor, First District
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Redistricting: New Boundary Lines
On Nov. 16, the Board of Supervisors voted to adapt new supervisorial boundaries to reflect the latest census count. The 1st District gained some residents and lost some residents when we finalized the maps for supervisorial redistricting. In Live Oak, 613 residents in the East Harbor area switched from the 3rd District to the 1st District. This change unites the Harbor-Twin Lakes Beach community. It was clear after the discussions on the Live Oak Parking program this past spring that we are one community of interest. I’m excited to welcome the East Harbor Neighborhood to the 1st District!
In Scotts Valley, 2,322 East Scotts Valley residents left the 1st District to join the 5th District, uniting the City of Scotts Valley. I supported reunifying Scotts Valley because it’s what my Scotts Valley constituents asked me to do. Moreover, putting cities in one district when practicable is required under the State’s FAIR MAPs act. While the 1st District will now have the least voters in total population, we still have the most unincorporated residents. In fact, 34% of the county’s unincorporated residents live in the 1st District. This is why I will work to get more resources for District 1, to provide the quality full-service government you deserve. •••
Tiny Homes Talk Beginning Soon!
Housing remains a top priority for our office and we continue to work on identifying additional ways to provide housing within our community.
One way to create more housing options in our community is by allowing
“Tiny Homes” to be legal dwelling units (current County Code requires homes to be a minimum of 150 square feet, and to sit on a permanent foundation). Our office first requested the Planning Department to present options for Tiny Homes (including Movable Tiny Homes/ Tiny Homes on Wheels) as legal dwelling units back in January 2021, and Tiny Homes were initially included in the ADU amendment process which was already underway.
The Planning Commission, however, voted in March to separate discussion of Tiny Homes from the ADU process. Now that the Board of Supervisors has approved the changes to our county Accessory Dwelling Units regulations, planning staff will turn their attention to the Tiny Home project. First steps include virtual community meetings in early December, including a meeting focused on the urban/coastal area at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1. To view the meeting dates or to access instructions for joining the meetings, visit https://www.sccoplanning. com/ADU.aspx. To submit comments about Tiny Homes, or to sign up to receive email updates, email Planner Daisy Allen, Daisy.Allen@santacruzcounty.us.
•••
More FireSafe Funding!
The County of Santa Cruz Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience has been awarded a $175,000 California FireSafe Council grant to increase community preparedness in the face of increased wildfire threats.
The grant will fund a new position to coordinate and align neighborhood-level and landscape-scale fire protection activities throughout the County in order to improve and expand local wildfire resilience, including hazardous fuel reduction efforts and sharing wildfire preparedness information and services across all socioeconomic groups, including underserved communities.
The County’s award was one of a handful across the state of California. The success of getting this grant was a collaboration between the OR3, the Resource Conservation District, and the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County. Funding for the grant is provided by Cal Fire.
The grants prioritize counties with a high percentage of very high fire hazard severity zones, a history of damaging fires, and a higher proportion of disadvantaged and/or low-income communities.
Santa Cruz County is currently home to ten fire protection agencies, four
The inside of a tiny home FireSafe Councils and 16 FireWise Communities, along with agencies such as the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, which helps manage fire prevention activities throughout the County. •••
Want to get in touch with us?
Beginning in 2022, we will host monthly in-person meetings at rotating locations throughout the First District. Check out our website, http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ Government/BoardofSupervisors/District1.aspx, for upcoming meeting details. As always, we welcome you to reach out to us any time at (831) 454-2200 or email at first.district@santacruzcounty.us. Hope to see you soon! n
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Cider is Ready to Spice Up Your Life!
Cider is a loving, smart, and hilarious boy who is going to make his future family so happy!
His tail is always wagging, and he has the cutest little prancing walk. He’ll sit for treats and food (with his tail still going a mile a minute.)
Cider loves running around and playing with the other dog in his foster home but is equally happy to curl up in an available lap or soft space to spend down time with you. He’s a great little co-working buddy!
He’s also great with the foster family cat and will gently try to cuddle with him, but also catches the hint and leaves him alone when the cat isn’t feeling it.
Cider can be a little nervous and bark at new people, but once he realizes you’re a friend he’ll greet you excitedly with kisses and cuddles. He’s been a quick learner with potty training and sleeps quietly through the night in his crate and pen. He’d do great with a patient adopter who can help him work on his confidence with new people and places and help him with his puppy training through positive reinforcement.
Cider is available at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter located at 1001 Rodriguez St. and we are open everyday (excluding holidays) from noon-5pm. We will be closed Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th.
For more information on adoptions and resources please visit www.scanimalshelter.org. n
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Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter:
Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076
SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us
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MEET OUR DOCTORS!
Dr. Nichole Brooks was born and raised in Sonoma County, California. She received her bachelor’s degree from University of California Santa Cruz in 1999. After her bachelor’s degree she worked as a senior keeper for an African Wildlife Preserve called Safari West in Sonoma County. Dr. Brooks then pursued advanced training at St. George’s University, West Indies where she completed her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Brooks completed her clinical year at North Carolina State University. Dr. Brooks loves being a general practitioner and enjoys the excitement of surgery and challenging medical cases. Dr. Brooks focuses on preventative care, surgery, and medical treatment of a variety of diseases. Dr. Brooks enjoys the ocean, hiking, wildlife and spending time with her family. She has been with us for a few months now and is fi tting in like a dream! Dr. Brooks works Tuesday through Friday, and is currently accepting new patients.
Dr. Nichole Brooks, DVM.
