The Sierra Club urges planning and policies which stimulate:
Conservation of Open Space
- Preservation of hills, coasts, wetlands, other outlying natural areas and agricultural lands by zoning, curbing suburban highway development, control of municipal services and other devices to eliminate "leap-frog" sprawl.
- Abundant, convenient public open spaces, including parks, playgrounds and natural "unimproved" areas.
- "Infill" residential and commercial development on unused or under-used land within city boundaries and already served with streets, water, sewer and other public services, but excluding parks, park-like lands, agricultural lands, and sensitive and hazardous areas.
- Opening up of waterfronts to public access and use.
Protection and Enhancement of the Quality of Urban Life
- Protection and enhancement of the quality of urban life by preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage.
- Preservation and revitalization of urban neighborhoods, with residents protected from unreasonable economic and physical disruption; rehabilitation of housing and community facilities; jobs creation; a safe and healthy workplace environment; and elimination of "redlining" practices.
- Attractive, compact and efficient urban areas; with densities and mixtures of uses that encourage walking and transit use, and encourage more efficient use of private autos in balance with other transportation modes.
Conservation of the Urban Infrastructure
- Upkeep and improvement of the urban infrastructure, including water supplies, sewage, rail systems and waterfronts.
- Improvement of transit systems, including operating and capital subsidies where necessary to maintain reasonable fares and safe, frequent service.
Wise Use of Resources and Safe Disposal of Waste
- Energy- and material-efficient residential and commercial buildings and water-conserving development.
- Incentives for reducing the generation of solid waste and for promoting recycling of materials.Management of toxic and hazardous materials to decrease their use and to assure that public health and the environment are fully protected from any releases to air, water or land (during manufacture, use, storage, transport or disposal).
- Full public disclosure of the uses, emissions, and potential effects of all hazardous and toxic materials.
COUNTY LOCAL COASTAL PLAN UPDATE REJECTED BY THE COASTAL COMMISSION
October 29, 2022
Santa Cruz County proposed an update to its Local Coastal Plan (LCP) Land Use Plan (LUP) and Implementation Plan (IP) provisions that relate to coastal hazards along the County’s roughly 32 miles of coastal zone shoreline. The County sought to...
CITY OF SANTA CRUZ CLIMATE ACTION PLAN 2030 UPDATE
October 29, 2022
City of Santa Cruz Climate Action Plan 2030 Update The City of Santa Cruz has prepared and adopted their Climate Action Plan 2030 (CAP), which is the Santa Cruz community’s roadmap to achieving the City’s 2030 Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction...
County Sustainability Update to the General Plan and County Codes
September 10, 2022
The Santa Cruz County Sustainability Update comprises numerous changes to both the County General Plan (GP) and the County Codes. According to the County, “The goal of this update is to implement new policies and code regulations that support more...
In Search of a Win-Win For Downtown Santa Cruz
June 20, 2022
The City is moving forward with plans to demolish the existing downtown library and build a combined parking, housing, and library facilities facility on the Cedar Street parking lot, and move the Farmers Market to a location on Front Street.
Proposed Kaiser Location Is Bad For Our Health
May 1, 2022
Kaiser Permanente has been planning a medical office building at 5490 Soquel Avenue (on the ocean side of Highway 1, between Soquel and 41st Avenue) that will bring over 300 employees and thousands of patients to the location on a daily basis. The...
Stop UCSC from Filling the Open Space & Meadows with Buildings
October 2, 2020
Stop UCSC from Filling the Open Space & Meadows with Buildings
Protect our Natural Heritage! Click on image to see article and to sign the petition or send comments.
A Tradition of Environmental Design Is Threatened!!!
Public meetings to further dialogue on Student Housing West
June 1, 2018
As proposed, Student Housing West—spread over two sites, Heller Drive and Hagar Drive—will provide housing for 3,000 students. To read the Santa Cruz Group comments on the dEIR (draft Environmental Impact Report), click on the image and read the...
Violations of Legal Procedures in County General Plan and Local Coastal Program Amendments
February 28, 2015
Last Wednesday, February 25, 2015 our Conservation Committee Chair Gillian Greensite spoke at the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission meeting on behalf of the Sierra Club to voice concerns with proposed amendments to the County General Plan and...
Stop Oil Trains!
February 21, 2015
Heard of oil trains? Well you certainly would hear one if it exploded in your backyard. Unless we take action, oil trains may begin traveling through the southern part of Santa Cruz County, near Aromas, as well as through Elkhorn Slough, San Jose,...