Santa Cruz Local

The City of Santa Cruz reopens the Benchlands homeless camp by the San Lorenzo River on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the 1220 River Street homeless camp in Harvey West is set to reopen by April 30. It's all part of a new plan to close the Ross Camp by Highway 1. However, the Ross Camp's closure is on hold, awaiting a U.S. district court decision expected Friday. The court is expected to hear a lawsuit filed against the city by a group living at the Ross Camp. We break down what you need to know from Tuesday's Santa Cruz City Council meeting. Transcript is on our website, santacruzlocal.org.

Santa Cruz County's history of no-growth policies have shaped today's local housing crisis. Now, we're at a crossroads with new state leadership that wants to spur development. We break down SB 50 - a proposed bill that would limit cities' ability to block apartment projects. We tell you where in the county SB 50 would affect. We also tell you how local cities are doing with their housing goals (spoiler alert: not great). At the end, we talk about Santa Cruz's pending Ross Camp closure and how to submit "audio letters to the editor."

On Tuesday the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors took a step toward redeveloping the Cemex cement plant in Davenport.

The privately owned plant has been closed since 2010 and it sits on 172 acres on the rugged North Coast of Santa Cruz County. There have been ideas thrown about converting the land into something that resembles the Costanoa Lodge near Ano Nuevo. Or perhaps a manufacturing plant for Santa Cruz air-taxi startup Joby Aviation.

But Davenport is a town of about 400 people -- and many people there are worried that redevelopment could ruin the natural environment that makes the area so great.

The closure of the Ross homeless camp has been delayed yet again by the Santa Cruz City Council. At Tuesday night’s meeting, the council canceled the April 17 closure and declined to set a new date. The council also formally threw out the idea of creating a new homeless camp by Depot Park. And to the relief of many residents, the council paused its search for new sites for homeless camps in city neighborhoods or parks.

On Tuesday, in an open letter to the community, Santa Cruz City Manager Martin Bernal writes that the city is no longer pursuing a "safe sleeping" homeless camp. The plan for a 50-bed shelter next to Depot Park is most likely dead. What does this mean for the closure of the Ross Camp by Highway 1 and River Street? We talk to city spokeswoman Eileen Cross, City Attorney Tony Condotti and Rayne Marr, the county's homeless services coordinator.

Since the start of the Measure M campaign in 2018, one thing has been missing from Santa Cruz's debate on rent control and eviction rules: data from neutral sources that detail the city's rental market. Santa Cruz Local wanted to change that.

Music by Podington Bear at soundofpicture.com

A property buyout was approved at Highway 1 and River Street on Tuesday at the Santa Cruz City Council meeting. The city plans to use eminent domain to acquire land belonging to Central Home Supply, which would force the business to move. The buyout is part of the city's plan to improve safety and traffic at one of its most congested intersections. We hear from Rusty Santee, co-owner of Central Home Supply, who objects.

Santa Cruz City Council creates a new 50-bed homeless camp in a Washington Street parking lot by Depot Park. The new camp will be managed, and will have rules, such as no drugs or criminal activity. We hear from the owner of Perrigo's Auto Body Shop, who says the camp will destroy his business. Also, what you need to know about the council's homeless shelter crisis declaration.

Santa Cruz City Council again schedules the closure of a homeless camp at River Street and Highway 1 — this time it's set for April 17, and it's supposed to coincide with the reopening of the nearby 1220 River Street homeless camp. The city also pinpoints six sites for another homeless camp. We visit the current camp and talk with homeless people about conditions there, and possible solutions.

Santa Cruz City Council delays the closure of the homeless camp behind the Ross Dress For Less on River Street, until the city can find a better place for the 200 people living there. Also, to the relief of many Westside residents, a ban on overnight parking on Delaware Avenue will remain in place. We break down the Feb. 26 city council meeting for you.