County seal County of Santa Cruz
Zoning Administrator Agenda
Community Development and Infrastructure, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 400, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
 
 
  Meeting Date :  Friday, May 15, 2026 9:00 AM  
  Location :  Board of Supervisors Chambers, Room 525
County Government Center
701 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 		 
 
  REMOTE OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AVAILABLE

Members of the public who are unable to attend the meeting in-person may join and provide public comment virtually or over the phone. To participate virtually, please join by using the ZOOM meeting link: https://santacruzcounty-us.zoomgov.com/j/1606061205. To join over the telephone, please dial (669) 254-5252, Webinar ID: 160 606 1205.

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

 The meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. 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) 454-2757 or free on the web at https://cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov/ the Planning Department menu agendas link. 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.Application # 251493 21890 Bear Creek Way, Los Gatos CA 95033          APN : 089-351-12
 Public hearing to consider a proposal to establish a new four-bedroom Vacation Rental for the purpose of overnight lodging not to exceed 30 days at a time. Requires a Vacation Rental Permit.

Consider a determination that the project is exempt from further environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Property is located on the northern side of Bear Creek (21860 Bear Creek Way), approximately 250 feet from the intersection of Bear Creek Road and Bear Creek Way in Los Gatos.

OWNER: Patrick Talbott
APPLICANT: Patrick Talbott
SUPERVISORIAL DIST: 5
PROJECT PLANNER: Michael Lam, (831) 454-3371
EMAIL: Michael.Lam@santacruzcountyca.gov  


Staff Report   Click Here
2.Application # 261033 471 Hawk Ridge Lane, Watsonville CA 95076         APN : 109-112-57
 Public Hearing to consider a proposal to recognize an existing 2,400-square-foot detached garage with an attached 1,200-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) located approximately 3.5 feet from the property line, encroaching into the required 20-foot front yard setback. Project requires a Variance to reduce the required front setback from 20 feet to 3.5 feet and a Minor Variation to Permit No. 231011.

Consider a determination that the project is exempt from further environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Property is located on the southern side of Hawk Ridge Lane (471 Hawk Ridge Lane), approximately 1,800 feet west of the intersection of Smith Road and Hawk Ridge Lane in Watsonville.

OWNER: Nate Blackmore
APPLICANT: Nate Blackmore
SUPERVISORIAL DIST: 4
PROJECT PLANNER: Michael Lam, (831) 454-3371
EMAIL: Michael.Lam@santacruzcountyca.gov  


Staff Report   Click Here
3.Application # 251417**       4520 Opal Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz CA 95062       APN: 033-151-12
 Public hearing to consider a proposal to remove an existing 9-foot-tall fence and gate, construct a 3-foot-tall split-rail fence, update the existing signage, and recognize existing landscape improvements at the Opal Cliffs County Park. Requires a Coastal Development Permit and a Site Development Permit for the signs and public infrastructure remodel.

Consider a determination that the project is exempt from further environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Property is located on the southern side of Opal Cliff Drive (4520 Opal Cliff Drive), approximately 300 feet from the intersection with Court Drive.

OWNER: County of Santa Cruz Parks Department
APPLICANT:  Zane Mortensen
SUPERVISORIAL DIST: 1
PROJECT PLANNER: Alexandra Corvello, (831) 454-3209
EMAIL: Alexandra.Corvello@santacruzcountyca.gov  

Staff Report   Click Here

Late Mail   Click Here
4.Application # 251496*     16020 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz CA 95060         APN: 086-281-21
 Public hearing to consider a proposal to install three 10,000-gallon water tanks and a firewater pump skid, and to replace existing security fencing at the site located within the Lockheed facility. Requires a Coastal Development Permit, Site Development Permit, and a Minor Variation to Use Permit 76-1054-U.

Consider a determination that the project is exempt from further environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Property is located on the southern side of Bertoli Drive approximately 70 feet south of the intersection of Bertoli Drive and Empire Grade at 16020 Empire Grade in Santa Cruz.

OWNER: Lockheed Martin Space / Kristen Smith
APPLICANT:  Michael Harris
SUPERVISORIAL DIST: 3
PROJECT PLANNER: John Hunter, (831) 454-3170
EMAIL: John.Hunter@santacruzcountyca.gov


Staff Report   Click Here


Late Mail   Click Here
5.Application # 251312**    111 24th Avenue, Santa Cruz CA 95062                   APN: 028-232-24
 Public Hearing to consider a proposal to demolish a 1,453 square foot single-family dwelling and construct a 4,364 square foot replacement dwelling. Project requires a Coastal Development Permit and a Site Development Permit.

Consider a determination that the project is exempt from further environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

OWNER: Stan & Melissa Vuckovich
APPLICANT:  Fuse Architects, Attn : Jerrod Nichols
SUPERVISORIAL DIST: 1
PROJECT PLANNER: Evan Ditmars, (831) 454-3227
EMAIL: Evan.Ditmars@santacruzcountyca.gov

Staff Report   Click Here


Late Mail   Click Here

Late Mail 2   Click Here
 
 
 
  APPEAL INFORMATION
Denial or approval of any permit by the Zoning Administrator is appealable to the Planning Commission. The appeal must be filed with the required appeal fee within 14 calendar days of action by the Zoning Administrator. To file an appeal you must write a letter to the Planning Commission 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 Planning Commission; the appeal must be filed within 14 calendar days of action by the Zoning Administrator.

(**) This project requires a Coastal Development Permit. Denial or approval of the Coastal Development Permit is appealable to the Planning Commission; the appeal must be filed within 14 calendar days of action by the Zoning Administrator. Decisions by the Planning Commission are 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 Zoning Administrator 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.