Santa Cruz residents weigh in on proposed city rent increase ordinance

Rent control dominated the conversation at a Santa Cruz planning community meeting Tuesday.

The city is looking for feedback on several different topics, but housing continues to be the biggest issue for residents.

The planning department has been working on updating policies and ordinances for months.

They say the meeting Tuesday was another chance for community input on projects they hope can benefit the city.

“We wanted to come back and say ‘Here’s the feedback that we got from the last meetings,” Sarah Fleming, Principal Planner with the City of Santa Cruz said. “‘Here’s what we’re bringing forward now, based on that feedback, and did we hit the mark?'”

A cannabis ordinance and better community outreach were some of the big topics, but the one with the most interest was housing.

The city is looking at a proposed Exorbitant Rent Increase ordinance that would only happen if rent control doesn’t pass in November.

The ballot measure is one many at the meeting didn’t support.

“The measure makes the affordable housing shortage worse,” said Lynn Renshaw with the Santa Cruz Together website. “It doesn’t apply to the 70 percent of renters that live in houses or new apartments.”

Still, many seemed hopeful the city can make a difference.

“If they keep it simple, it’ll be easier for people to understand,” Renshaw said. “It’ll be easier for people to comply with and it’ll be better for our entire community.”

It’s that kind of feedback the city is looking for and hopes to keep getting.

“We’re making sure that we have a transparent, meaningful process where the community can have input and input often,” Fleming said.

Accessory Dwelling Units were also a topic brought up Tuesday.

For more information on all of the topics discussed, click here.