Status: Past

INFORM AND ENGAGE EARLY

Adopted by City Council on August 28th, 2018.

Final Planning Department Community Outreach Policy.

In 2017, City Council conducted an extensive outreach process related to housing issues, resulting in a report entitled Santa Cruz Voices in Housing: Fall 2017 Community Engagement Report. Once the Report was completed, the Council formed the Housing Blueprint Subcommittee to prioritize the Report recommendations and to develop an implementation strategy. The Subcommittee summarized the results of this process to City Council on June 12, 2018.

The Planning and Community Development Department compiled a Community Outreach Policy in response to the direction from the Subcommittee. The Policy encourages early notification, including sign postings on the project site during different project phases, and broader noticing for community meetings. Community meetings are required for large and significant projects early in the process, and meetings are encouraged for small and medium projects.

A list of recently filed applications will be posted on the Planning Department website and will be updated monthly. Significant projects will include expanded information. Large projects may also have expanded information posted, dependent on project scope and community interest. Notifications regarding community meetings will be posted on the project site and on the City’s website. Announcements will sent via U.S. Mail to owners and residents within a specific radius.  Email notices will also be sent to anyone who signs up to receive notices regarding community meetings. 

The policy was presented at two community meetings: on May 15, 2018, at which other recommendations by the Subcommittee were also presented, and on July 17, 2018, at which other Planning policy efforts were also presented. The policy was also presented at a developers’ roundtable meeting on July 12, 2018. The Planning Commission reviewed the policy at a public hearing on August 2, 2018. City Council adopted the policy on August 28, 2018.

PROJECT SIZE DEFININTIONS:

• Small Development:
  A development proposal that would add 5-10 housing units or 2,500 to 10,000 new square feet of commercial development.
• Medium Development:
  A development proposal that would add 11-25 housing units or 10,000 to 25,000 new square feet of commercial development.
• Large Development:
  A development proposal that would add over 25 housing units or over 25,000 new square feet of commercial
  or industrial development.
• Significant Project: 
  Any proposal, regardless of size or type, that has the potential for significant City-wide interest.