Santa Cruz County Land Use & Development Articles

After storm surf ripped off about 150 feet of the end of the Santa Cruz wharf in December, the Santa Cruz City Council in April agreed to rebuild part of it by early 2026. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local …

During a midday ceremony last Friday at the Summit Store’s parking lot, in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, community members joined with telecom and government officials to celebrate the completion of the first phase of Surfnet Communications’ rural …

Zachary’s restaurant and some other downtown Santa Cruz restaurants now have permanent outdoor seating. (Nik Altenberg – Santa Cruz Local)
SANTA CRUZ >> In response to recent shop vacancies in Downtown Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz City Council Tuesday advanced …

A local farm is being modified to serve as a learning center for young students about progressive farming methods.

Spruce Street could close to vehicles from the Kaiser arena to Pacific Avenue as part of a proposed Santa Cruz Downtown expansion plan. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)
SANTA CRUZ >> The Santa Cruz Planning Commission on Thursday …

Dozens of attendees at Thursday’s Capitola City Council meeting wear blue stickers to show their city residency. (Tyler Maldonado – Santa Cruz Local)
CAPITOLA >> In a contentious, standing-room only meeting of more than four hours, the Capitola City Council …

Simmering tensions between the City of Scotts Valley and youth sports leagues over proposed fees hikes boiled over during the April 2 regularly scheduled Council meeting when a girls softball coach teared-up providing public comment.

Watsonville city on Tuesday reopened its landfill after a seven-year closure, unveiling two new areas that will give the city its own waste facility for about 75 years.

A grassroots movement of citizens concerned about the construction of a new battery storage facility in Watsonville held a public meeting on Monday evening to discuss the dangers of such a project and rally local residents by passing around petitions …

Spruce Street could close to vehicles from Pacific Avenue to the San Lorenzo River levee as part of a proposed Santa Cruz Downtown expansion plan. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)

The California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA, is the state’s signature environmental legislation, and is also often named as the villain in the state’s housing shortage. But the story may not be that simple.

In complaints filed with the California Civil Rights Department, Melissa Scalia and other Hilltop apartments tenants have alleged that property managers mistreated them. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)
SANTA CRUZ >> In response to mounting problems at a 168-unit …

A 144-apartment proposal at 831 Almar Ave. has been scuttled. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local)
SANTA CRUZ >> The owner of a former tea facility at 831 Almar Ave. has scuttled a proposal for a six-story apartment complex, despite …

A city parking lot at Cedar and Lincoln streets in Santa Cruz is slated to become a three-level library with housing and parking. (Ten Over Studio)

The Mesa Village community teamed up with Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW), Pitch-In Santa Cruz County and 4th District Supervisor Felipe Hernandez on March 29 to add new life to Mesa Village County Park. 

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.