Supervisors OK Sustainability Update, Zoning Changes, By Manu

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Supervisors OK Sustainability Update, Zoning Changes

By Manu Koenig, Supervisor, First District

At the Dec. 6 meeting, the County Board of Supervisors, approved the Sustainability Update, a regulatory document 10 years in the making. This is the first time in nearly 30 years that the Santa Cruz County General Plan/Local Coastal Program has been updated.

The Sustainability Update will modernize county planning, bringing it into compliance with updated state laws as well as guide policy for planned future growth in unincorporated county regions.

The approved Sustainability Update amends sections of the County Code, Design Guidelines and Land Use/ Zoning maps, which will impact policies related to housing production, transportation, agriculture and resource conservation, commercial development, community services, sustainability and environmental justice.

The plan places an emphasis on sustainable practices in general, including “green building” guidelines surrounding solar, rainwater harvesting and recycled building materials.

One aspect of the Sustainability Update that generated significant public interest was the proposed rezoning of parcels on Portola Drive in Pleasure Point.

My office heard from hundreds of residents who supported increased housing opportunities on the Portola corridor but were opposed to the density being proposed.

Local residents agreed more housing, particularly for working class people and families, is needed, but felt we shouldn’t max out the density and risk losing what makes the area so special.

I agreed, and made a motion to use the lower R-UH residential zoning designation for 8 of the 9 parcels under discussion. For the 9th parcel, 3501 Portola, I proposed retaining the current Commercial zoning designation. The rest of the Board supported my motion, and the revised

Portola rezonings were approved along with the Sustainability Update.

Mobile Home Protections

On Dec. 13, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to amend Chapter 13.32 of the Santa Cruz County Code to ensure the affordability of our Mobile Home communities is preserved. These amendments will strengthen protections for residents living in mobile home parks across the County.

The amendments include: • Ensuring operational increases are calculated based on the annual Consumer

Price Index and nothing greater; and • A new dispute resolution process for special rent increases, wherein an expert third party Certified Public

Accountant reviews any proposed rent increase to determine if it is necessary. A hearing officer will review the case if the residents or park owner do not agree with the expert’s analysis.

The case would go to court only if one side doesn’t agree with the expert and hearing officer — providing multiple opportunities to resolve issues fairly without costly litigation that could lead to increased rents.

The revised ordinance is scheduled to be finalized at the next Board of Supervisors meeting on Jan. 10.

Our office heard from dozens of residents who advocated for these changes. The Board heard you, and voted accordingly. Your participation in local government makes our community stronger.

Assisted Living in Soquel

Residents may have noticed site work occurring at 5630 Soquel Drive, the site of the former Inner Lights Ministries Church. This location will be developed into an 80-unit assisted living and memory care facility.

The developer, Fulcrum Development, completed demolition in November and began grading shortly thereafter. This facility will provided a much-needed service for our community and will be an asset to our County.

Kaiser Medical Community Meeting

Many residents have inquired about the status of the proposed Kaiser medical facility at 5940 Soquel Ave.

A sign posted in 2020 at the former Inner Light Ministries building at 5630 Soquel Ave. shows what the new 80-unit assisted living and memory care facility will look like. Kaiser Permanente has proposed a 160,000-square-foot medical office with a parking garage for 730 cars at 5940 Soquel Ave.

The developer is planning a community meeting in January 2023, and our office will share details via email newsletter as soon as they become available.

The current timeline for the project anticipates a hearing before the Planning Commission and then the Board of Supervisors in the first quarter of 2023.

We welcome your feedback and involvement! n

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Join us at an upcoming community town hall meeting:

January Town Hall

Thursday, Jan. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Hybrid meeting: In-person location at the Sheriff’s Center, Community Room 5200 Soquel Ave., and on Zoom: https:// zoom.us/j/96708318897

Visit https://www.co.santa-cruz. ca.us/Government/BoardofSupervisors/ District1.aspx for 2023 Community Town Hall dates, locations coming soon. •••

Come to our office at the Sheriff Center (5200 Soquel Ave.) for office hours with Supervisor Koenig, the first Wednesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. Office hours for January will be Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. Give us a call anytime (831) 454 -2200 or email first.district@santacruzcounty.us.