17th Avenue and Capitola Road Development
This month, residents have a unique opportunity to craft the elements of a development in the heart of Live Oak. Over 20 years ago, the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) bought nearly five acres of land on Capitola Road to build a library. A decision was made at a later point to instead build the Live Oak Library on Portola Drive, and the County never completed a plan for the development of the site. The original Live Oak Family Resource Center was housed in one of the two homes on the property. In 2011, the Legislature eliminated RDAs and the County had this property, and another one on 7
h
Avenue and Brommer Street which did not yet have development plans.
We are required to sell both properties in the near future. However, from this loss comes opportunity.
On April 20
th,
we are hosting a community meeting at Live Oak Elementary School to hear from the community about what your priorities are for the Capitola Road site We will have a presentation about what the land is zoned for, and an economist to help in presenting economic data and financing strategies. Community members will then help to identify the priorities for the sites. These priorities will be included in the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the sale and development of the property. Before any final proposal is recommended for sale, the community will get to weigh in on the proposal at a later meeting. We are hoping to work with the owners of the adjacent property (where Live Oak Super is located) to look at a more transformative development that would be in the center of the community. This could be a chance to ensure that desired commercial services and retail is located within walking distance to most people in Live Oak.
To help craft these priorities, please come to the workshop on April 20
th
. You can also check out a website about the property (Click
HERE)
that will be updated after the meeting for you to leave comments. A similar process will occur for the county-owned site at 7
th
and Brommer on April 27
th
. Don't miss out on this chance to share your ideas about how we can meets the needs of the community at both of these locations.
Capitola Road Priorities Meeting
7
th
& Brommer Priorities Meeting
Thursday, April 20th, 2017 Thursday, April 27th, 2017
Live Oak Elementary School Live Oak Elementary School
1916 Capitola Road 1916 Capitola Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Santa Cruz, CA 95062
6:30 pm 6:30 pm
|
|
 |
The storms of January and February did nearly $100 million of damage to County roads. As the County Public Works Department continues to estimate the damage to our road network from this winter the County is working diligently to secure state and federal funding as quickly as possible to begin the rebuilding process. To re-open Soquel San Jose Road as soon as possible, the County is looking at installing a pre-made two lane bridge of approximately 150 feet in length. We are working to obtain approvals by Caltrans and FHWA, who determine what environmental mitigation or constraints may affect the project. We don't have a time frame yet as it depends on the approvals from state and federal agencies at a time when they are receiving many such requests.
We will have more information at our State of the Roads Community Meeting:
State Assembly Member Mark Stone and County Supervisor John Leopold
Thursday, April 6, 2017
at the Loma Prieta School Forum
7:00 PM
|
|
|
Managing Surf Schools In Pleasure Point
|
 |
|
Over the last year, I have received numerous complaints and concerns from community members regarding the proliferation of surf schools conducting lessons in the Pleasure Point surf area. The impact from this commercial activity has impacted water safety, and has burdened the infrastructure of our parks in Pleasure Point, as well as parking in the adjacent neighborhoods. Regulatory changes in the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola have exacerbated these problems in recent years since we have no regulations or limits with regards to surf schools, such as those that currently exist in the surrounding cities, and within State Parks jurisdictions. In addition, unlike it's neighboring cities, the Pleasure Point surf area is not surrounded by or accessed through a commercial area, but instead through a residential area.
Since the spring of 2016, I have met with many members of the Pleasure Point community to discuss impacts of the surf schools. Primary concerns have included large numbers of total students in the water, high student to instructor ratios, impacts on neighborhoods adjacent to beach access points, and the lack of accountability with safety training for instructors. I have also worked to engage with surf school owners to discuss the implications of potential requirements and regulations on their schools. Responses have been productive, with surf school owners willing to engage with the County in finding ways to develop balanced regulations and requirements for their business to address these impacts.
Based on a close review of the impacts of surf schools completed by our neighboring communities, I have identified key elements from these local models that I believe will support the unique needs of the Pleasure Point neighborhood. Establishing a licensing system for surf school vendors strikes a balance between the community's residential character, and the interests of surf schools to share their expertise in helping people appreciate this portion of the World Surfing Reserve. The Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services Department will return to the Board of Supervisors in May with the new licensing program. To read more click here.
|
|
| Grand Juror Application Process |
"The independent 'watchdog' body concerned with how well our government functions is the civil Grand Jury. Each year, 19 citizens are selected to serve, and you can now apply to be on the Grand Jury. This year, applications are being accepted until April 28th. Learn more and apply at here.
|
|
|
|
