Santa Cruz Planning Commission · Thursday, September 17, 2026, 7:00 PM · Item 3 · Consent Public Hearing Agenda

MajorHousing, Planning & development

Changes sought to approved 8-story, 102-unit affordable building at 405-417 Pacific Avenue

In plain English

The Planning Commission is being asked to approve changes to an already-approved project at 405-417 Pacific Avenue. That approved project (CP25-0156) would demolish the existing buildings and build an 8-story, 102-unit, 100-percent affordable apartment building with ground floor commercial space. This building is meant to serve as the off-site affordable housing required for the redevelopment of 201 Front Street (CP25-0116). The current request, called a Major Modification, would amend the environmental determination for the project and grant one additional density bonus incentive, concession or waiver. A yes vote would acknowledge the environmental determination and approve the modification, subject to the conditions of approval attached to the staff report dated September 11, 2026.

The project would replace existing buildings on Pacific Avenue with 102 affordable apartments and ground floor commercial space, affecting downtown residents, nearby businesses and people seeking affordable housing, and it is tied to a separate redevelopment at 201 Front Street that depends on this site for its required affordable units.

Key facts

  • Address: 405-417 Pacific Avenue; Project Number CP26-0076; Assessor's Parcel Numbers 007-023-18 and 007-023-19.
  • The approved project is an 8-story, 102-unit, 100-percent affordable apartment building with ground floor commercial space, replacing the existing buildings, which would be demolished.
  • The building serves as the off-site affordable housing required for the redevelopment of 201 Front Street (CP25-0116).
  • Zoning is CBD/CZ-O/FP-O (Central Business District / Coastal Zone Overlay / Floodplain Overlay), within the South of Laurel Area of the Downtown Plan. Environmental review: Statutory Exemption Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21083.3.
  • Applicant: CRP Affordable Housing and Community Development. Filed 6/29/2026. The project requires a Coastal Permit that is not appealable to the California Coastal Commission. It is listed on the Consent Public Hearing Agenda for Thursday, September 17, 2026.
  • Staff recommends approval based on the findings and the Conditions of Approval in Exhibit "A" of the staff report dated September 11, 2026.

Reasons to support

  • The project would deliver 102 homes that are 100-percent affordable in the downtown Central Business District, close to shops, services and transit.
  • Approving the modification keeps the affordable housing that is required for the 201 Front Street redevelopment on track, since this site provides those required units off-site.
  • The building includes ground floor commercial space, keeping street-level activity on Pacific Avenue, and city staff recommends approval with conditions attached to the project.

Reasons to oppose or change it

  • An 8-story building and the demolition of the existing buildings would be a significant change to this stretch of Pacific Avenue; some residents may want more review of height, design or what is being torn down.
  • Granting an additional density bonus incentive, concession or waiver means further relief from standard city rules, and residents may want the Commission to explain exactly which standard is being waived and why.
  • Amending the environmental determination and relying on a statutory exemption means less project-specific environmental study; the site is also in Coastal Zone and Floodplain overlays, and the Coastal Permit is not appealable to the California Coastal Commission, which limits later options to challenge it.
  • Placing the item on the consent agenda means it could be approved without discussion unless someone asks that it be pulled for a separate hearing.

Official wording

405-417 Pacific Avenue Project Number: CP26-0076 Assessor's Parcel Numbers: 007-023-18, 007-023-19 Major Modification to CP25-0156 (Demolish the Existing Buildings and Construct an 8-Story, 102-Unit, 100-Percent Affordable Apartment Building with Ground Floor Commercial Space Serving as the Off-Site Affordable Housing Required for Redevelopment of 201 Front Street (CP25-0116) to Amend the Environmental Determination and Request an Additional Density Bonus Incentive/Concession/Waiver on a Parcel Located in the CBD/CZ-O/FP-O (Central Business District/Coastal Zone Overlay/Floodplain Overlay) Zone District and Within the South of Laurel Area of the Downtown Plan. Environmental Review: Statutory Exemption Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21083.3. Applicant: CRP Affordable Housing and Community Development. Filed 6/29/2026. This Project Requires a Coastal Permit Which is Not Appealable to the California Coastal Commission Recommendation: That the Planning Commission acknowledge the Environmental Determination and approve the Major Modification to a previously approved project and Density Bonus request (CP25-0156) based on the Findings listed below and the attached Conditions of Approval in Exhibit “A” of the staff report dated September 11, 2026.
Official agenda

Summary written by claude-opus-5 from the agenda. It can contain mistakes. The official documents govern.