‘A costly mistake’ or still moving forward? After council rejection, future of 831 Water St. remains in flux

Great quotes from Santa Cruz YIMBY Lead in Lookout Santa Cruz article.

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Elizabeth Conlan, a lead of Santa Cruz YIMBY, was unnerved by Tuesday’s vote, saying she was shocked that the council discussion leading up to the vote largely involved opinions and subjective comments.

“This is exactly why Santa Cruz YIMBY urged council to refrain from making themselves the ministerial review body,” she said. “They are elected officials — it’s just natural they would be influenced by constituents writing in to them against the project instead of just focusing on if this application met the objective criteria that the city currently has.”

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Conlan said she expects a lawsuit against the city for denying this project. She noted lawsuits in both San Mateo and Berkeley that have recently resulted in both cities needing to move forward with the proposed SB 35 projects, and paying heavily in the process.

“Instead of money that could be going toward housing or services for the homeless, the city will be fighting a losing lawsuit,” she said. “That’s definitely on those six members of council who voted to deny the application.