Affordable housing on Santa Cruz’s West Side looks promising for educators

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The City of Santa Cruz once again picked up a decades-long discussion about what to do with the 313 Swift Street location Tuesday midday.

The most recent proposal brought to the council today in regards to that property, was a motion to adopt a resolution approving "construction of a new, four-story, approximately 120,604 square-foot multifamily educator workforce housing project encompassing approximately 100 residential units, approximately 119 parking spaces, new landscaping, and associated site modifications, including the removal of up to six Heritage trees," according to the city.

The project is robust but was met with a lot of local support from community members, including a teacher, as well as members of the council. According to the city, many local educators report spending 60% of their income on housing.

The motion ended up passing unanimously by the council, with a few recommendations.

District 6 council member Renee Golder made a motion to move staff recommendation as well as to bring back recommendation for Metro passes, temporary access to Derby Park remaining open during project construction and coordinating with the planning department at the building stage for installing micro-filters in washing machines.

Golder said that general funds can now be allocated for transportation demand (an update from the 90s when municipal codes were originally written).

She also wanted continue allowing access to Derby Park on behalf of the public.

Concerns over technology not being able to support the micro-filters in washing machines, was the reason for wanting to table that discussion for later.

District 2 council member Sonja Brunner along with Susie O'Hara of District 5 agreed with council member Golder. It was determined that an exemption from City Schools would benefit the council, and that O'Hara wants to look into more depth with the Planning Commission in regards to some of the details.

O'Hara also brought up the need to develop a pilot program for this project. It would be a "fatal flaw" if they can't figure out a way to pilot the project, she said.