County seal County of Santa Cruz
Planning Commission Agenda
Community Development and Infrastructure, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 400, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
 
 
  Meeting Date :  Wednesday, April 22, 2026 9:30 AM  
  Location :  Change of Venue : Community Room (Basement)
County Goverment Center
701 Ocean Street, Room 020 (Basement)
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 		 
 
  REMOTE OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AVAILABLE

Members of the public who are unable to attend the in-person meeting have the option of joining the meeting virtually via the ZOOM meeting link: https://santacruzcounty-us.zoomgov.com/j/1617916904 , or by calling in and providing testimony during the public comment period for each Scheduled Item. To provide comments by telephone please dial (669) 254-5252, Webinar ID: 161 791 6904.

For questions regarding hearing procedures, or to submit written public comment associated with any scheduled item, please contact Riley Rhodes, Administrative Support, at (831) 454-2757 or Riley.Rhodes@santacruzcountyca.gov.

 The meeting starts at 9:30 AM with the first item and proceeds through the items in consecutive order unless otherwise noted. Staff reports on permit applications are available for review or purchase one week before the hearing by calling 831-454-5317. You may also view staff reports here by clicking the underlined item number below. All items are subject to continuance. No notices of continued or rescheduled hearing dates are mailed. Please contact the project planner for further information on specific applications. 		 
 
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
0.Agenda en español
 - Agenda en español   Click Here
1.Roll Call: Chair Barton, Commissioner Nickell, Commissioner Pavonetti, Commissioner Jimenez, Commissioner Shepherd
2.Additions and Corrections to Agenda
3.Declaration of Ex Parte Communications
4.Announcement by Commission members of items removed from Consent to Regular agenda.
5.Public Comment
 Any person may address the Planning Commission during its Public Comment period. Speakers must not exceed two (2) minutes in length or the time limit established by the Chair, and individuals may speak only once during Public Comment. All Public Comments must be directed to an item listed on today's Consent Agenda or a topic not on the agenda. Commission members will not take actions or respond immediately to any public communication presented regarding topics not on the Agenda but may choose to follow up later, either individually, or on a subsequent Planning Commission Agenda.
6.Action on the Consent Agenda (Items 7 & 8)
 Consent items include routine business that does not call for discussion. One roll call vote is taken for all items. Only a Commission Member may pull items from Consent to Regular agenda. Members of the public must request that a Commission Member pull an item from the Consent Agenda prior to the start of the meeting.
CONSENT ITEMS
7.Approval of Minutes
 Item 7a To approve the minutes of the March 25, 2026, Planning Commission meeting as submitted by the Community Development and Infrastructure Department.

- March 25, 2026 Minutes   Click Here

Item 7b To approve the minutes of the April 8, 2026, Planning Commission meeting as submitted by the Community Development and Infrastructure Department.

- April 8, 2026 Minutes   Click Here
8.Application 241286          220 Miracle Lane, Santa Cruz CA                  APN: 068-271-06
 Accept and file report to the Planning Commission regarding a compliance review of approved Vacation Rental Permit 241286 pursuant to the conditions of approval.

The property is located on the eastern side of Miracle Lane (220 Miracle Lane), approximately 550 feet north of the intersection of Miracle Lane and Redwood Drive in Santa Cruz.

APPLICANT: James Babcock
OWNER: James Babcock
SUPERVISORAL DISTRICT: 1
PROJECT PLANNER: Michael Lam, (831) 454-3371
EMAIL: Michael.Lam @santacruzcountyca.gov

- 241286 Staff Report   Click Here
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
9.2026 Annual Code Update
 Public hearing to review and provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding the 2026 Annual Code Update. The project includes amendments to the General Plan/LCP Chapters 2 and 5, as well as the amendments to Santa Cruz County Code Chapters 7.38, 13.10, 13.11, 13.16, 13.20, 16.10, 16.10A, 16.20, 16.20A, 16.42, and 18.10. The project also includes a land use designation map amendment of parcel APN 029-071-13, as well as Zoning Map amendments of parcels APN 026-091-54, 026-261-17, 029-071-13, 030-121-34, 042-151-23, 052-271-04, 070-301-01, and 074-152-30. The proposed amendments to the General Plan and to County Code Chapters 7.38, 13.10, 13.11, 13.16, 13.20, 16.10, 16.20, and 18.10 are also amendments to the County’s Local Coastal Program and will require Coastal Commission certification after County adoption. Consider a recommendation that the proposal is exempt from further analysis pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Additionally, for the rezoning/land use designation on Parcel 029-071-13, consider a recommendation to adopt an Addendum to an adopted Environmental Impact Report for the Sustainability Update and determine that the proposal is not subject to further Environmental Review pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.

SUPERVISORAL DISTRICT: County-Wide
PROJECT PLANNER: Jacob Lutz, (831) 454-3136
EMAIL: Jacob.Lutz@santacruzcountyca.gov


- 2026 Annual Code Update Staff Report   Click Here


- Late Mail   Click Here


- Late Mail 2   Click Here
10.Amendments to the ADU Regulations
 Public Hearing to Review and Provide Recommendation to Board of Supervisors Regarding Proposed Amendments to County Code for Accessory Dwelling Units, and CEQA Notice of Exemption. Amendments to County Code Chapters 13.10 and 13.20 are Coastal implementing and will require Coastal Commission certification after County Adoption.

SUPERVISORAL DISTRICT: County-Wide
PROJECT PLANNER: David Carlson, (831) 454-3173
EMAIL: David.Carlson@santacruzcountyca.gov

- ADU Amendments Staff Report   Click Here
11.Community Development and Infrastructure Department Director’s Report
12.County Counsel’s Report
13.Written Communications
 
 
 
  APPEAL INFORMATION
Denial or approval of any permit by the Planning Commission is appealable to the Board of Supervisors. The appeal must be filed with the required appeal fee within 14 calendar days of action by the Planning Commission. To file an appeal you must write a letter to the Board of Supervisors and include the appeal fee. For more information on appeals, please see the "Planning Appeals" brochure located in the Planning Department lobby, or contact the project planner.

APPEALS OF COASTAL PROJECTS
(*) This project requires a Coastal Zone Permit which is not appealable to the California Coastal Commission. It may be appealed to the Board of Supervisors; the appeal must be filed within 14 calendar days of action by the Planning Commission.

(**) This project requires a Coastal Development Permit. Denial or approval of the Coastal Development Permit is appealable to the Board of Supervisors; the appeal must be filed within 14 calendar days of action by the Planning Commission. After all local appeal periods have ended (grounds for appeal are listed in the County Code Section 13.20.110), approval of a Coastal Development permit is appealable to the California Coastal Commission. The appeal must be filed with the Coastal Commission within 10 business days of receipt by the Coastal Commission of notice of final local action.

Note regarding Public hearing items: If any person challenges an action taken on the foregoing matter(s) in court, they may be limited to raising only those issues raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at or prior to the public hearing.

Agenda documents may be reviewed at the Planning Department, Room 420, County Government Center, 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz.

The County of Santa Cruz does not discriminate on the basis of disability, and no person shall, by reason of a disability, be denied the benefits of its services, programs or activities. The Board of Supervisors chamber is located in an accessible facility. If you require special assistance in order to participate, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 454-3137 (TTD/ TTY call 711) at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting to make arrangements. As a courtesy to those persons affected, please attend the meeting smoke and scent free. If you plan to attend the meeting and participate in public comment and need translation please contact Micaela Lopez at (831) 454-2336 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting in order to make arrangements. Si desea asistir la reunión y participar en los comentarios públicos y necesita traducción, comuníquese con Micaela López al (831) 454-2336 al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión para hacer los arreglos.