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, July 8, 2026 9:30 AM  
  Location :  Community Room (Basement)
County Government 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 Jimenez, Commissioner Nickell, Commissioner Pavonetti, Commissioner Brown, Commissioner Stone
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.
CONSENT ITEMS
6.Action on the Consent Agenda (Items 7 and 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.
7.Consider General Plan Consistency Determination for Disposition of Surplus County Property APN 092-284-05.
 To approve General Plan Consistency Determination for Disposition of Surplus County Property APN 092-284-05 located on Lompico Road.

SUPERVISORAL DISTRICT: 5
PROJECT PLANNER: Fernanda Dias Pini, (831) 454-3119
EMAIL: Fernanda.DiasPini@santacruzcountyca.gov

Staff Report   Click Here
8.Approval of Minutes
 To approve the minutes of the May 13,  2026, Planning Commission meeting as submitted by the Community Development and Infrastructure Department.

May 13, 2026 Draft Minutes   Click Here
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
9.Demolition by Neglect Ordinance
  Item removed from the agenda and continued to July 22nd  

Public hearing to consider amendments to Santa Cruz County Code (SCCC) Chapter 16.42 – Historic Preservation to implement a Demolition by Neglect Ordinance, as recommended by the Historic Resources Commission.

Consider a recommendation that the project is exempt from further analysis pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3).

SUPERVISORAL DISTRICT: County-Wide
PROJECT PLANNER: Skyler Kriese, (831) 454-3172
EMAIL: Skyler.Kriese@santacruzcountyca.gov
10.Application #251336**     187 San Andreas Road, Watsonville
 Public hearing to consider a Coastal Development Permit application for the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency's (PVWMA) Watsonville Slough System Managed Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project. The project includes: upgrades to the existing Harkins Slough Filter Plant (APN 052-211-29); trenching for water distribution lines; development of water intake infrastructure at Struve Slough; development of an approximately 13-acre recharge basin with recovery and monitoring wells at 187 San Andreas Road (APNs 052-181-18 and 052-181-20); and development of seasonal pond, wetland, and riparian forest habitat at Watsonville Slough.

Consider as a "responsible agency" under Section 15096 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Addendum prepared by the PVWMA (EIR certified January 2021, State Clearinghouse No. 2019059130; Addendum dated March 2025).

Consider the recommendation to adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091 and 15093.

Project includes site development at the following APNs: 052-081-37; 052-221-24; 052-221-23; 052-221-09; 052-222-25; 052-551-05; 052-551-04; 052-551-03; 052-551-02; 052-551-01; 052-211-26; 052-211-14; 052-211-15; 052-211-12; 052-211-29; 052-211-28; 046-151-37; 052-181-18; 052-181-19; 052-181-20; 052-191-59

APPLICANT: Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, Brian Lockwood
OWNER: Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency
SUPERVISORAL DISTRICT: 2
PROJECT PLANNER: Evan Ditmars, (831) 454-3227
EMAIL: Evan.Ditmars@santacruzcountyca.gov


Staff Report   Click Here
11.Secretary’s Report on Upcoming Meetings and Agendas
12.Community Development and Infrastructure Department Director’s Report
13.County Counsel’s Report
14.Written Communications
 Written Communications   Click Here
 
 
 
  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.