Santa Cruz County Land Use & Development Articles

A rendering shows a proposed apartment building with 63 homes in Live Oak, as seen from Grey Seal Road. (Workbench)
LIVE OAK >> Developers at Workbench presented a revised proposal for a five-story, 63-unit apartment building at 841 Capitola Road …

After months of public petitions, contentious meetings and letters to the editor, the planned installation of a pump track at Felton Covered Bridge Park is officially underway.

The Redman-Hirahara house has sat on a 14-acre parcel on the outskirts of Watsonville since William Weeks built it in 1897 for farmer James Redman.

Sign up to volunteer for the Quail Hollow Ranch County Park Trails Construction project, a trail-building endeavor that will expand the Quail Hollow's existing 4.5-mile trail network into the Pace Family Wilderness, a 79.5-acre parcel that was gifted to County …

Justin Cummings, Third District Santa Cruz County Supervisor, talks about efforts to retain his seat as chair of the powerful California Coastal Commission. He also explains other ordinances under discussion at the county level.

A 90-unit, below-market-rate apartment complex is proposed at 525 Water St., Santa Cruz. (Hochhauser Blatter Associates)
​​SANTA CRUZ >> Neighbors on Wednesday night got a first glimpse at new designs for a five-story affordable housing complex proposed at a former …

A Minto Road apple orchard across from a Pacific Gas & Electric Co. substation has been proposed for a 14-acre lithium battery storage facility. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local) 
WATSONVILLE >> In the wake of the Moss Landing battery …

A proposed housing complex at 831 Almar Ave. would have 144 units. A four-story building shown is now proposed to be two stories. (Workbench)
SANTA CRUZ >> Details of a proposed 144-unit apartment complex at 831 Almar Ave. in Santa …

Capitola city leaders plan to ask residents whether a restaurant and other buildings should be rebuilt on the Capitola Wharf. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)
CAPITOLA >> More than two years after the Capitola Wharf buckled under heavy …

When former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Greg Caput was serving in the 4th District seat, one of his goals was to bring more county services to Watsonville.

Dan Haifley, a long-time ocean conservationist and former director of O'Neill's Sea Odyssey and Save Our Shores, gives us an update on the multiple threats to ocean ecosystems and marine sanctuaries posed by the cuts to federal staff and budgets …

A tiny home development for 34 homeless people slated for the parking lot of Westview Presbyterian Church in Watsonville can move forward after the City Council on Tuesday denied an appeal by a neighbors’ group that has been battling the …

The Circle Church was demolished in April 2024, and its 1.62-acre lot remains vacant this week as city staff await design permit applications. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local) 
SANTA CRUZ >> Nearly five years since the Santa Cruz City …

A 0.7-mile rail-trail path from California to Beach streets in Santa Cruz started construction in 2022 and remains unfinished. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local) 
Santa Cruz City Council meeting

Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship, the nonprofit spearheading the design and implentation of a new pump track at Felton Covered Bridge Park, has annnounced completed designs and a shift into a fundraising phase.

A sign warns drivers not to park on part of Ocean Street 5-7 a.m. Thursdays. The city plans to issue first warnings, then increasing fees for cars parked during street sweeping hours. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)
SANTA CRUZ …

The rail line runs parallel to Park Avenue near Coronado Street in Capitola. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)

After a catastrophic collapse in December, the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is putting out the message: Support local businesses that depend on foot traffic to stay afloat. This story is by UCSC Humanities intern, Maury Burnette-Cavoto.

A proposal for the 900 block of Ocean Street next to Marianne’s Ice Cream includes 389 homes on 4.15 acres. (High Street No. Cal. Development Inc.)
Santa Cruz Planning Commission meeting

With the overwhelming approval of Measure Q, formally known as the “Santa Cruz County Safe Drinking Water, Clean Beaches, Wildfire Risk Reduction and Wildlife Protection Act,” County staff and partners are establishing the structure necessary to fulfill voters’ vision, including …