SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz County officials have been working on a massive effort to update their housing elements for over four months and are planning a series of community meetings to share progress with the public and gather further input. are doing.
As part of the Master Plan Housing Element Update, which state law mandates every eight years, the county will identify “adequate sites” to accommodate estimated population growth in the area and ensure planning and zoning policies to facilitate population growth. There is a need to.
The first of three community gatherings where the public, including those affected by the ongoing housing crisis, can learn about the county’s efforts will be held Monday from 5:30-7:00 p.m. , held at Aptos Village Park at 100 Aptos Creek Road.
A virtual conference is scheduled for May 31, and the third conference will be held on June 28 at the Watsonville Civic Plaza. Here are the meeting links, times and locations: scopplanning.com.
As part of this latest cycle, the county will need to plan 4,634 homes, more than three times the number projected for the fifth cycle from 2015 to 2023. The total number of units is divided into specific affordable levels and includes very high housing units. The counties have low, low, medium, and above income level, and the counties need to make development plans, but are not directly responsible for actually constructing the units.
Santa Cruz County Deputy Director of Community Development and Infrastructure Stephanie Hansen told Sentinel that her team is currently analyzing the county’s existing inventory, but preliminary estimates indicate it could accommodate about 3,000 new units. said there is.
“The state really wants a detailed and conservative analysis,” Hansen said. “As we look at the potential for residential units, we are talking about really leveraging infill development within existing urban service lines.”
Hansen said whatever numbers existing inventory analyzes ultimately reach, rezoning remains an important tool that can be used to respond to rising housing densities and fill gaps in certain county areas. said it is.
To help brainstorm creative strategies in this effort, the county interactive house plan It is a tool that provides an opportunity for interested community members to develop their own detailed plans.
The tool shares up-to-date inventory information and allows users to select areas across the county to explore different development strategies to meet county goals. Users can also submit comments and feedback for planners to review as the formal process progresses.
As that process unfolds, Hansen said another process is coming to an end.
The county hired a public engagement consulting firm to help form two stakeholder groups of about 20 members with firsthand experience with the housing crisis.
One group includes local residents that reflect the demographics of the county, and the other includes housing, including nonprofits, developers, and community-based organizations serving those experiencing homelessness. Includes members interested in development.
These groups are preparing a final report identifying key housing issues and proposed solutions, which will be made available to the public in the coming weeks.
Despite all these efforts, the challenges ahead remain daunting.
Santa Cruz County senior planner Matthew Sunto said in a presentation to the county housing advisory board earlier this month that 1,032 of the 1,314 units required for the county’s fifth cycle renewal have been allowed, about 79% of the target. said to be equivalent to
Meanwhile, the county’s housing crisis is deepening. To pay the average monthly rent of $2,500, a renter would have to earn $48.08 an hour, or about 3.2 times the state minimum wage, Suunto said. Nearly 60% of county renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing, and only 16% of the county’s 268,000 residents can afford a median $1.2 million home, or 42,880. only people.
If counties fail to adopt the updated housing component by the Dec. 15 deadline, Hansen said the state could take over permits in some areas, limiting the county’s ability to obtain state aid. said it could affect
He said county officials are working to make the housing elements document drafted this summer public, followed by public review and comment. Still, there may be some major hurdles along the way.
“There may be difficult choices to make to meet state requirements,” Hansen said.
if you go
What: Community meeting of housing elements.
When: Monday 5:30pm-7:00pm
Location: Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road.
Additional meeting times/days are: scopplanning.com.