September 2022 Newsletter

Written By Janine Roeth

As we head out of August, the Legislature is facing final votes on key housing bills. Read on for a quick legislative action AND 🎉 celebration 🎉.

We also have an update on two key planning projects in Santa Cruz (City and County) that are also getting to final decision points, Objective Zoning Standards and Sustainability Update.

September includes some housing events to put on your calendar, including a Volunteer build at Habitat for Humanity in Live Oak September 10th - write to hello@santacruzyimby.org if you can join the Santa Cruz YIMBY Team that day!

Key Legislation Heads to Final Floor Votes - MONDAY

There are a couple of housing bills that are headed to the floor for a vote very soon, likely next MONDAY. These are not going to be easy votes, we need to show as much grassroots support as possible for these bills. Help get these YIMBY bills over the finish line!

Call your State Senator BEFORE Monday!

Call your Senators about AB 2011 and AB 2097.

YAY! 🎉 Other YIMBY Bills Passed Their Second Houses!

SB 886 (Student Housing) and AB 2873 (DEI in Affordable Housing Development) have passed through their second houses! Here’s how the final votes looked:

(When you call Senator Laird for AB 2011 and AB 2097, say THANK YOU for the YES vote on AB 2873!)

County and City Zoning/Standards Projects: Down the Final Stretch to Decisions

For a while, we've been mentioning these projects with big impacts on zoning and standards: one for Santa Cruz County and one for the City of Santa Cruz.

Each are at critical points of input and decision making. It is tiring to say that NIMBYs are rallying opposition to both, but unfortunately they are.

City of Santa Cruz Objective Zoning Standards for Multi-Family and Mixed-Use Projects

 The City Council heard all about the Objective Zoning Standards at their August 23rd meeting. They continued the discussion to a future council meeting in September. Watch for our alert when this is next on the City Council agenda - we need you to express SUPPORT for adopting these objective standards. Our position:

  • This enables housing that is already allowed in our city, and is desperately needed.

  • The standards are the product of lots of community discussion and feedback to the city’s planning project.

  • Robust public hearings remain.

County of Santa Cruz Sustainability Update

The County Planning Commission had a presentation on the Sustainability Update at their August 24th meeting. Mark your calendars for Thurs, Sept 1 - 9:30, the continuation of the public hearing. This meeting will have more discussion by the commissioners. View Agenda.
Our position:

  • The update provides an opportunity to make the zoning changes that will be required to meet our RHNA goals.

  • Aspects of the standards, such as FAR, height and density units per acre are still insufficient to address housing needs of the county, especially along corridors.

September Housing Events

  • Thurs, Sept 1 @ 9:30am - Public Hearing for Santa Cruz County Sustainability Update - this is a continuation of the August 24th Planning Commission meeting, which was primarily presentation. This meeting will have more discussion by the commissioners.Meeting format: View Agenda Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81481528029

  • Wed, Sept 7 - 6pm-7:30pm - Community Meeting for Proposed Project at 917-923 Water St. The proposed project is a 4 story mixed-use building with 105 homes. Zoom Meeting ID: 841 0816 3787

  • Sat, Sept 10th - 8am- 3:30. Volunteer Build Day @ Habitat for Humanity in Live Oak. Send an email to hello@santacruzyimby.org if you are interested in joining Team Santa Cruz YIMBY.

  • Sun, Sept 11th @ 11:00 AM- YIMBY Action - How to Tackle Climate Change and Housing Affordability Come learn how we can tackle climate change and housing affordability at the same time!

  • Thurs, Sept 22nd @ 11am - YIMBY Action Public Comment Workshop - Come learn how to give a persuasive public comment at community meetings and help get more housing built.

Janine Roeth
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