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, October 22, 2025 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 Donovan Arteaga, Administrative Support, at (831) 454-2801 or Donovan.Arteaga@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)
 Consent Agenda Items: 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
 To approve the minutes of the September 24, 2025, Planning Commission meeting as submitted by the Community Development and Infrastructure Department.

- DRAFT MINUTES 9/24/2025    Click Here
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
8.241335             1200 Granite Creek Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065          APN: 101-041-09
 Public Hearing to consider an appeal of the Administrative Approval of Application 241335, a proposal to increase allowed height from 28 feet to 32 feet with increased setbacks, specifically the condition of approval requiring submittal of a copy of the letter of acceptance of the project Biotic Report.

The property is located at 1200 Granite Creek Road in Santa Cruz.

APPLICANT: Valerie Hart
OWNER: Nicholas & Elissa Boyd
SUPERVISORAL DISTRICT: 1
PROJECT PLANNER: John Hunter, (831) 454-3170
EMAIL: John.Hunter@santacruzcountyca.gov

- 241335 Letter & Exhibits    Click Here

Late Additions (after publishing of Staff Report)

- 241335 Biotic Report    Click Here

- 241335 Late Mail    Click Here
9.241371               841 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95062               APN: 026-491-40
 Public Hearing to consider a proposal to demolish one existing residential dwelling unit and construct 57 units within a five-story multifamily building. The project includes a 42.5-percent Density Bonus in exchange for the provision of four affordable units (comprising of one Very-Low Income (VLI) unit and three Extremely Low Income (ELI) units). Requires approval of a Site Development Permit pursuant to Builder’s Remedy pursuant to Gov. Code Section 65589.5 and Density Bonus pursuant to Gov. Code Section 65915.

Consider a determination that the project is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.66.

The project site is located on the north side of Capitola Road at 841 Capitola Road (Assessor’s Parcel Number 026-491-40) approximately 80 feet east of its intersection with Grey Seal Road in Live Oak.

APPLICANT: Clay Toombs for Workbench
OWNER: 841 Capitola LLC
SUPERVISORAL DISTRICT: 1
PROJECT PLANNER: Jonathan DiSalvo, (831) 454-3157
EMAIL: Jonathan.DiSalvo@santacruzcountyca.gov

- 241371 Staff Report & Exhibits    Click Here

Late Additions (after publishing of Staff Report):

- 241371 Applicant's Letter of Support    Click Here

- 241371 Plans    Click Here

- Public Comment for Application No. 241371 Received Prior to Publishing of PC Staff Report    Click Here

- 241371 Staff Report Corrections Memo    Click Here

- 241371 Staff Report Updated (Exhibits Amended 10/21/25)    Click Here

- 241371 Late Mail   Click Here

- 241371 Late Mail 2   Click Here
10.Secretary’s Report on Upcoming Meetings and Agendas
11.Community Development and Infrastructure Department Director’s Report
12.County Counsel's Report
13.Written Communications
 - Written Communications    Click Here

Late Additions (after publishing of packet):

- Written Communications 2    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.