Support for 130 Center St to Santa Cruz Planning Commission

October 18 2021
To: City of Santa Cruz Planning Commission
From: Santa Cruz YIMBY
Re:  Agenda Item #1: 130 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA Project No. CP21-0011 
AND Agenda Item #2: Small Housing Units Ordinance Updates

Dear Planning Commissioners:

We are writing in support of the proposed mixed-use housing project at 130 Center St, Agenda Item #1 on your October 21, 2021 agenda. This project is consistent with the General Plan, Beach and South of Laurel Plan, and Zoning and includes 233 new homes, including 31 for very-low (50%) income level.

Santa Cruz YIMBY seeks to build a community where our neighbors of all ages, cultures, and incomes, can make Santa Cruz County their home. The City of Santa Cruz desperately needs more affordable housing. This is underscored by our meager progress in permitting homes affordable to those in the Very Low Income category; thus far in our 5th Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) cycle, the City has permitted only 57 of the 180 homes required to meet our RHNA floor.

Santa Cruz YIMBY also promotes sustainable growth by increased density near transit, easier access to robust public transit, bicycle lanes, and protected pedestrian areas. We note and applaud the reduced off-street parking based on the use of density bonus and proximity to a major transit stop as well as the 233 private lockers and 72 cafe spaces for bike storage. 

Regarding Agenda Item #2, we support updates to transition from Small Ownership Units (SOUs) to Flexible Density Units (FDUs) with one exception.  We note that the FDU Proposed Zones on the map are located on transit corridors or have proximity to major transit stops.  Understanding that excess parking induces higher VMT, we would remove required vehicle parking for FDUs.  The developer would of course retain the right to provide whatever parking they felt the market required.

Sincerely,

Santa Cruz YIMBY 

Santa Cruz YIMBY Mission: We envision a community where our neighbors of all ages, cultures, abilities, and incomes, can make Santa Cruz County their home. In response to the ever-increasing cost of living, we advocate for more affordable housing to meet the needs of our growing population.

Santa Cruz YIMBY is a chapter of YIMBY Action, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.