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Library Annex in the Heart of Live Oak
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In 2016, voters approved Measure S to benefit our local library system. As a result of the passage of that measure, new work is being planned at all libraries in the Santa Cruz Public Library system. New libraries are being built in Felton and in Capitola and a major expansion is happening at Aptos. The location of our Live Oak Library limits any new additions, but the County has worked with the Live Oak School District, the Boys & Girls Club and the Library system to start planning a Library Annex adjoining the Simpkins Family Swim Center. Not only will this Annex have books, it will also provide space for programming for children, older teens, seniors and others in our community. You can play a role in helping design the elements of this new Annex by joining the Library on September 27. I hope you can participate and help us plan for an addition to this civic and community center.
Library Annex Planning Meeting
Thursday, September 27
6:00-8:00 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)
Simpkins Family Swim Center
979 17
th Avenue
(childcare and light refreshments provided)
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County Considers Adding Density in Every Neighborhood
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The County has been working to address the housing crisis in our community through a number of initiatives. In 2015, we completed the Sustainable Santa Cruz County Plan, a conceptual plan that looks at modest increases in density along our major transit corridors. The environmental documents necessary to enact this plan are finally going to be started by the end of this year. The Board has also approved major changes to our regulations around Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or "granny units." We have made it easier to get a permit, reduced parking and setback requirements and reduced fees. Lastly, at the request of community members, we placed Measure H on the November ballot. Measure H is a $140 million bond to build new affordable rental housing and help with first time homebuyer programs.
Last year, the Housing Advisory Commission recommended ending the County's policy of letting developers buy out of the requirement to build affordable housing on any project, no matter the size. Before that policy could be enacted, housing advocates and developers pushed the Board to consider further density bonuses in return for more affordable housing units. The draft regulations are out and you can see them
here
. These are significant changes to our zoning standards in residential neighborhoods. While there is some value in looking at these new tools, I have advocated that they only be used to match up with our existing efforts along transit corridors. There are members of the development community and there may be some Board members that want to allow these density bonuses to occur in
any neighborhood. I have asked housing advocates to hold public meetings about these changes. A meeting is being planned in Live Oak on October 17. I'll provide more details as that date gets closer. I encourage everyone to stay informed about these changes and will relay what occurs at the Planning Commission when they finish their review.
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As technology has spread that allows new ways for people, corporations and the government to conduct surveillance, new policies are critical to ensure that privacy is protected. The Sheriff has adopted a plan that provides that when he introduces new surveillance tools, he will hold a community meeting to share information about how the tools will be used, who will be able to see the data and how long the data will be kept. A few months ago, Sheriff Hart held the first community meeting to introduce the limited use of license plate readers along the Soquel Drive corridor as a result of an uptick in violence in that area. He is contemplating the use of drones in limited situations and will holding a community meeting at the Sheriff's Center located at 5200 Soquel Avenue, in the Community Room on September 26 at 6:00 p.m. This will be a chance to learn more about the proposed usage and will also be the start of a 30 day comment period. I encourage questions answered.you to attend this meeting to find out more about this program and have your questions answered.
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The FAA Flight Procedures Team continues to work on a new SFO Southern Arrivals procedure. I expect the FAA's 90-day update very soon, which should give us more understanding of their progress on the route design. Our experience with the 2016 Select Committee process underscores how important it is to be able to meet face to face with representatives of the FAA to communicate our concerns and hold them accountable to the public interest. We now have an important opportunity to do just that. At our September 18 Board meeting, the Board will consider joining the Santa Clara/Santa Cruz Counties South Bay Community Roundtable. The Roundtable would provide a regular forum to meet with the FAA and discuss issues affecting the airspace over Santa Cruz County. I am proposing that the appointment to this Roundtable should be made by the Chair. Preferably, the appointment should be a strong advocate for those affected by jet noise now and who will be attentive to any future impacts that could result from FAA actions. If you care about jet noise impacts now or in the future, I urge you to attend and speak to the Board at our Sept. 18 meeting. The time of this item will be available when the agenda is released on Thursday, September 13.
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