SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) – The City of Santa Cruz is moving forward with a housing project that would bring 48 homes to the current site of the Food Bin & Herb Room on Mission Street.
On Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously rejected a challenge to plans for a mixed-use housing development at a food waste site, meaning the plan can move forward.
“This addresses the issue of applicants trying to get more units than allowed under state density bonus law and brings the application into compliance,” Santa Cruz City Councilman Scott Newsom said.
The public hearing addressed two objections to the Planning Commission’s approval of the development plan on Jan. 18. Those objections raised concerns about parking, environmental impacts and the overall size of the building.
“We’re trying to make sure that the housing we’re building isn’t unregulated and that the housing we provide is thoughtful and sensible,” said James Mueller, one of the plaintiffs representing neighbors on Laurel and Cleveland streets.
During public comment, some expressed similar concerns but said they supported the project and the additional housing.
“I think the barriers people are putting up against a project like this are so high and completely at odds with the current state of the area and will cast a shadow over people who just want to secure the housing they need to move forward,” one person said in public comments.
Despite the council’s unanimous decision to move forward, some members said the process could have been done differently.
“What I’m hearing from neighbors on this particular project, and much of what I’ve heard tonight, is a lack of meaningful, thoughtful community engagement before it even goes through the appeals process,” said Santa Cruz City Council Member Chevre Kalantari Johnson.
The project will also include 48 residential units as well as additional commercial space.
As part of the motion, the council also moved to give priority to tenants without cars to address parking issues.
