Santa Cruz City Planning 09/17/2026

The Santa Cruz City Planning Commission meeting was held September 17, 2026. The commission unanimously approved the August 20 minutes and consent items covering readoption of commercial use permit extensions and major modifications with a density-bonus request for the 405–417 Pacific Avenue Driftwood Flats project. The project is an eight-story, 102-unit development; staff said the requested modification would reduce its height by two feet and lower the minimum ground-floor-to-floor height from 15 feet to 13 feet 6 inches. Public commenters raised concerns about building height, setbacks, seismic and foundation risks, traffic, and neighborhood effects. Commissioners also questioned the ground-floor design and potential effects on future commercial uses; staff said no analysis of those effects had been conducted.

The commission continued proposed municipal-code and related General Plan, Local Coastal Program, and housing-regulation amendments to October 1 because the draft code changes had not been published in track-changes form. Staff said the continuation was expected to preserve the schedule for City Council consideration on October 27. Staff also reported that the city is assessing its downtown vibrancy ordinance, including vacant-space requirements, startup-business support, and reduced fees for qualifying businesses, and is considering possible expansion. No procurement activity, contract awards, or purchasing decisions were identified.