Water Street, 831

WATER STREET, 831

Welcome

Welcome to the City of Santa Cruz project page for 831 Water Street. Here you will find information about this project, including the projects description, plan set, and future meetings related to this project. For more information, please contact the assigned planner. 

Project Description

  • Project Size: Significant Development Project
  • City of Santa Cruz Project Number: CP20-0121, CP24-0148 (Modification)
  • Address: 823, 825, 827, 831, 833 - Water Street
  • APN: 009-212-30, -31, -38

CP24-0148 (Modification): On October 2, 2024, a modification of permit CP20-0121 was submitted to allow for reduction in commercial space from 2,404 square feet to 800 square feet, combination of the two original separate buildings into one structure, to construct all 140 residential units as affordable (ranging in affordability from extremely low income to moderate income), and to reduce the total number of on-site vehicle parking spaces to from 136 to 43. The modification includes the same three incentives/concessions as the previously approved project: 1) Exceed height limitations with a building that is approximately 53-feet in height and five stories; 2) Reduced open space requirements; and 3) Exceed Floor Area Ratio (FAR). Pursuant to City Council direction provided on September 10, 2024, the modifications will be reviewed by the Planning Commission for compliance with the objective standards that were in place at the time of the original approval, at a noticed public hearing.

CP20-0121: On July 1, 2021, the City received an application for an SB35 project that consists of a four or five story mixed-use building with 145 residential apartments and ground floor commercial space. The state legislature passed SB 35 in 2017 in order to remove barriers to the development of affordable residential urban infill projects and to limit certain types of discretionary home rule oversight that have prevented the development of an adequate supply of housing within the state. When a project qualifies for streamlined ministerial approval under SB 35, the City has a limited time to apply its objective standards to the project, and is strictly prohibited from applying any discretionary standards that would chill the development of affordable housing on a suitable site identified in its general plan. The application is currently under review for compliance with objective standards.  

Community Meetings

A community meeting is required pursuant to the City's Community Outreach Policy for Planning Projects. The feedback provided may contribute to the alterations of the project design and additional project entitlements.

January 27, 2021 Community Meeting 

August 12, 2021 Community Meeting 

September 14, 2021 City Council Meeting

October 12, 2021 City Council Meeting 

November 23, 2021 City Council Meeting

December 14, 2021 City Council Meeting: Application for a SB35 project was approved by City Council.

November 20, 2024 Community Meeting: The applicant held a virtual community meeting to present the proposed project and gather public feedback.

December 19, 2024 Planning Commission: The Planning Commission was held at City Council Chambers at 809 Center Street. For more information, please visit the home page.

Application Materials

Documents

Additional Materials

Location

831 Water Street,  Santa Cruz, CA 95060  View Map

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