‘Objective standards’ meeting scheduled for our group

When you subscribed to our 831ResponsibleDevelopment.org web site (thank you again!), we promised to send you only periodic email messages so as not to clutter up your InBox. It’s been a while, so here’s a new one about an upcoming meeting:

Sarah Neuse, from the City of Santa Cruz’s Planning and Community Development Department, is overseeing the department’s current Objective Standards Project, which is focused on creating new zoning and development standards for multifamily housing throughout the City. She has offered to meet with members of our 831 Responsible Development group to explain the goals of the project and answer our questions.

While many members of our 831 group have expressed support for the idea of developing standards that returns the meaningful review of local development projects to local decision-makers, the devil — as they say — is in the details. What are the objective standards — height limits, parking, etc. — that we think should apply to future multifamily housing projects in our city?

This is a chance to learn more about the Objective Standards work … and to give Sarah our early input. It could be helpful for anyone interested in participating to review the city’s Objective Standards Project web site in advance.

The presentation Sarah will lead will feature a brief history of housing policy in California and locally in Santa Cruz presented by Gretchen Regenhardt, formerly of California Rural Legal Assistance, and Diana Alfaro, Project Manager for MidPen Housing.

The meeting, which will take place virtually, will be held on Wednesday, May 5, at 7 p.m.

Here is the Zoom info:

Lastly, as always, please continue to encourage others in Santa Cruz to subscribe to our 831 Responsible Development web site and to sign our e-petition.

Thank you (very, very much)!