City faces challenges from AB 1287's impact on height limits and development plans

The Santa Cruz City Planning meeting held on April 17, 2025, focused on significant developments regarding local zoning laws and their implications for future construction projects. The primary topic of discussion was the impact of California's Assembly Bill 1287, which allows for a 100% stackable density bonus, overriding existing city height limits.

The meeting began with a review of the controversial Clock Tower Center project, which proposes a 92-foot building in an area zoned for a maximum height of 50 feet. This project is currently on hold, pending financing, but it exemplifies the potential changes in development that AB 1287 enables. The law permits buildings to exceed local height restrictions significantly, with the possibility of structures reaching 20 to 30 stories, which city officials may not be able to deny if developers meet the new requirements.

City planners presented existing zoning maps, highlighting areas along the river where height limits currently range from 35 to 48 feet. Proposed changes could raise these limits to between 50 and 85 feet, but with the new state law, developers could potentially construct buildings up to three times taller than these limits. This raises concerns among city officials about the future skyline and urban density.

The meeting concluded with a recognition that the city had not fully anticipated the ramifications of the new state density bonus law when formulating its plans. The shift from a previous 50% density bonus to the current 100% bonus represents a significant change in the landscape of urban development in Santa Cruz, prompting further discussions on how to manage these new opportunities and challenges effectively.

As the city navigates these changes, the implications for community planning and development will be closely monitored, with future meetings expected to address the evolving landscape of zoning regulations and their impact on local neighborhoods.