Santa Cruz Local newsletter briefs for the week of April 22: Affordable housing waitlist opens in Santa Cruz, with more on tap Watsonville City Council to tackle new shelters, climate adaptation Proposed county budget to be explained at Live Oak meeting Grant awarded to help house homeless in Santa Cruz HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION Affordable housing waitlist opens in Santa Cruz, with more on tap Pacific Station South at 822 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz is expected to open this year. (For the Future Housing) Pacific Station South at 822 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz is expected to finish construction ..read more

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission on Thursday reaffirmed its support for a paved path parallel to the train tracks through Capitola and Seacliff. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file) SANTA CRUZ >> The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission on Thursday reaffirmed its support for a trail parallel to the train tracks through Live Oak, Capitola and Seacliff — leaving the door open for passenger rail service. But the decision to accept state money and move forward with the rail-trail plans still rests with the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors ..read more

Segment 11 of the Coastal Rail Trail runs near New Brighton State Beach in 2021. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file) SANTA CRUZ >> At a special meeting Thursday, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission could step toward takeover of a $68 million state grant awarded to Santa Cruz County to help construct the rail trail through Live Oak, Capitola and Seacliff. Transportation commissioners on Thursday are expected to vote on whether their staff should explore steps to transfer the grant. Commissioners are not set to vote on the transfer itself. In March, the ..read more

A proposed budget for 2025 cuts money for road repairs. Storms in 2023 caused about $140 million in damage to county-maintained roads, county staff said. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local file) SANTA CRUZ >> The financial toll of natural disasters has become an unsustainable burden on the Santa Cruz County budget, county staff told the board of supervisors Tuesday. At an April 9 county supervisors meeting, county staff presented a draft budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.  Stay informed on Santa Cruz County’s biggest issues. Santa Cruz Local’s newsletter breaks down ..read more

Storm damage prompts authorities to close West Cliff Drive near Woodrow Avenue in January 2023. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file) SANTA CRUZ >> The Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday unanimously rejected a pilot program for one-way traffic on West Cliff Drive.  The plan would have converted the eastbound lane of West Cliff Drive from Bay Street to Natural Bridges State Beach into a two-way bike lane. Many lower Westside residents at the meeting strongly opposed the change, and some said they felt blindsided by the proposal. Stay informed on Santa Cruz County’s biggest i ..read more

Santa Cruz Local newsletter briefs for the week of April 1: Rail bridge replacements to be discussed Santa Cruz city staff seeks feedback on homeless services REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Rail bridge replacements to be discussed The Capitola trestle bridge runs over Soquel Creek in 2023. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file) 9 a.m. Thursday, April 4 / Online and at 701 Ocean St. Room 525, Santa Cruz  The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission on April 4 is expected to consider repairs or replacements for more than 30 bridges along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Li ..read more

A rendering shows a version of Segment 11 of the rail trail on Cliff Drive in Capitola. (Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission) SANTA CRUZ >> A Santa Cruz County supervisors vote on Tuesday shocked county staff and left an uncertain future for the rail-trail project through Live Oak, Capitola and Seacliff. The board accepted environmental review for a portion of the rail trail, but it did not approve any of three options for the trail design.  The lack of approval could risk a $68 million state grant for the rail trail, county staff said. Stay informed on Sant ..read more

A compost toilet pilot program is expected to start in May in Ben Lomond, with waste bags collected at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station. (William S. Woodhams — Santa Cruz Local) BEN LOMOND >> After months of delays, a composting-toilet pilot program is set to launch on 25 properties around Ben Lomond in May. The participants are expected to be CZU Lightning Complex Fire survivors. Because expensive new septic systems have been required for many proposed rebuilds in the CZU Fire zone, the composting toilet program aims for a simpler, cheaper alternative. Participants are expected to be ..read more

A six-story hotel is proposed at 324 Front St. in Downtown Santa Cruz. (BCV Architecture + Interiors) Correction: Santa Cruz City Councilmember Sonja Bruner did not vote on the hotel project Tuesday. An earlier version of this story misstated the vote. SANTA CRUZ >> The Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday approved a six-story hotel at 324 Front St. in Downtown Santa Cruz.  The hotel project is set to include:  A 232-room hotel at Front and Laurel streets. Shops, a café and a restaurant on the ground floor. A publicly accessible rooftop bar with three pools. A banquet hall an ..read more

Andres Sandoval, 56, has worked as a plumber. He lived in his vehicle in Watsonville in early 2022 and said he wanted a more stable situation. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file) WATSONVILLE >> Watsonville city leaders have started to craft a coordinated effort to fight rising homelessness.  During a public meeting Saturday, city council members and county staff were split on whether the plan should prioritize services for unhoused people, or a crackdown on illegal camps and drug use. Stay informed on Santa Cruz County’s biggest issues. Santa Cruz Local’s newsletter break ..read more