🚨 URGENT UPDATE: WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW on the 7th Ave & Brommer Development 📣

The County has already approved the sale of the 7th & Brommer property to Community HousingWorks, and after direct conversations with both the County's assigned planner and California Coastal Commission staff, we now have confirmation, on the record, of exactly why this project's design and process should concern every neighbor here. The current proposal calls for at least 100 affordable homes (County Application No. 26178/261178; APN 026-261-13, -16, -17) on just 2.36 acres, including a four-story apartment complex directly bordering existing single- and two-story homes.

What's now confirmed:

The project team's own materials contradict the County's written statement that no future phase is planned. A site graphic from the project team's planning materials explicitly labels a "Phase 2 Residential" area, separate from the current "Phase 1 Residential" area. Yet the County has told us in writing that "we do not have any plans for this future phase; all development efforts and funding are solely for the first Phase of 100 units." We are asking the County to reconcile this contradiction and disclose the true scope of what's planned for this site.

The County's own environmental review analyzed a hypothetical development capacity of up to 45 units per acre for this site as part of its Sustainability Update EIR, even though the site is not zoned or designated for housing across its full 8 acres today, only the 3.5-acre area is entitled for this housing project under the current Local Coastal Program overlay. We are asking the County to clarify why this higher capacity figure was studied, and whether it has any bearing on what could be proposed for this site in the future.

Public access to the green space has now been denied, in writing, by both the County and Coastal Commission staff independently. The County has confirmed the site's park "would likely be private and not publicly accessible." Coastal Commission staff separately confirmed they personally recommended public access and were overruled by both the developer and County, citing liability concerns, while stating in writing, "Commission staff supports providing this open space for the general public." We are asking the County to follow its own reviewing agency's recommendation.

A public hearing is NOT automatic, and this is critical. The County has confirmed this project will likely be processed as a "Minor Development" Coastal Permit, which requires only a 15-working-day public notice period. A Zoning Administrator hearing only happens if a member of the public formally requests one during that window. Adjacent neighbors will receive a mailed notice, and when it arrives, a written request for a hearing must be submitted immediately, or there will be no hearing at all.

Parking is seriously inadequate for the unit mix proposed. The current plan provides only 66 parking spaces for 100 units, and approximately 25 of those units are 3-bedroom, family-sized homes. There is no additional parking on Brommer Street or 7th Avenue near the site, meaning overflow parking has nowhere to legally go.

We are asking whether this project meets the County's own objective design standards, and whether the current design has been reviewed against any adopted, written requirements for materials, colors, or architectural elements in this zone.

Emergency vehicle access is a real safety concern in an already congested area, given a single access point currently planned for 100+ households.

Stormwater management is in progress but not finalized. The project is expected to use bioretention and flow-through planters, but the detailed hydraulic study has not yet been completed or made public.

This project is under real financial time pressure, reportedly tied to $40–50 million in state and federal funding that could be lost if the developer doesn't break ground by a set deadline.

What we're asking for:

• Full public disclosure of the "Phase 2 Residential" area shown in the project team's own materials, and the total planned unit count across all phases.
• Public access to the site's green space, consistent with Coastal Commission staff's own written recommendation.
• Distribute the housing across the full site where feasible, to reduce impact on adjacent residences.
• A parking plan that reflects the actual unit mix, including family-sized units.
• A real, public traffic and circulation study, including emergency access.
• Written confirmation of whether objective design standards apply, and whether this design complies.
• The completed stormwater management plan, made public before final approval.

We are not against affordable housing. We are against a process that concentrates every impact on the families who already live here, when even the Coastal Commission's own staff have recommended a fairer outcome and been overruled.

Get involved, here's exactly what to do:

Sign this petition and share it with neighbors on 7th Avenue, Brommer Street, and Stagg Lane.

Email these people directly, it takes two minutes:

Supervisor Manu Koenig: Manu.Koenig@santacruzcountyca.gov
Supervisor Justin Cummings: Justin.Cummings@santacruzcountyca.gov
County Planner Jonathan DiSalvo : jonathan.disalvo@santacruzcountyca.gov and Planning.ZoningInfo@santacruzcountyca.gov
Senator John Laird (State Senate District 17) sd17.senate.ca.gov/contact-us

or call the Santa Cruz district office at (831) 425-0401 and Planning Department (831) 454-3157

Watch for the Zoning Administrator hearing date and plan to attend and speak. Ask specifically about the phasing, the site orientation, the 2001 turn restriction, parking, emergency access, public access, design standards, and stormwater. Repeating the same specific asks, from many voices, is what actually moves County staff and elected officials.

Time is running out. The more voices they hear now, the greater our chance to influence this project before it's too late. This is not about opposing housing, it's about demanding a responsible, balanced approach that protects the people and character of our community. ACT NOW. Every email, every signature, and every voice could make the difference. 📣

We'll keep this petition updated as we get responses. Thank you for standing with your neighbors.

There is another active community group, called Harbor Neighbors, established in 2016, concerned with "protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods from negative impacts of proposed developments at the 7th & Brommer site." Harbor Neighbors publishes updates frequently. To receive e-updates, use their Contact Us form found HERE.

Thank you to everyone who has signed, shared, attended meetings, and stayed involved. Community participation will continue to be critical as this project moves forward.