Assignment 5 Final Project Spring 2024
Assignment #5 (Written Assignment Due by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2024)
Oral/Written Staff Report to Planning Commission
Email to XXXXXXXXXX
(No Page Limit but I would expect 13-15 written pages with some graphics)
The purpose of this Assignment is to
ing together everything we have learned this
semester and to help you work on your professional skills. As I mentioned in class, a developer
with a pending project in front of the County of Santa Cruz has agreed to let us use its Project to
analyze. Because the assignment is for educational purposes only, please do not contact the
County about about this Project.
The Project is called the 841 Capitola Road Project. It consists of a proposed
approximately 15-unit project with affordable housing component located at 841 Capitola Road,
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County. Cu
ently the site has one existing dwelling unit that will
e demolished. You should go on Zillow which has great photos of the project site and the
purchase history for the property: https:
www.zillow.com/homedetails/841-Capitola-Rd-Santa-
Cruz-CA-95062/59718269_zpid/ . Notice the purchase price and the date of purchase. Also, I
would suggest going on google maps street view to see the su
ounding neighborhood and obtain
graphics for your report. Take a virtual walk around the neighborhood to determine if the
proposed project is compatible with the neighborhood. I have had some students walk the
neighborhood in person if they live/find themselves in Santa Cruz but of course not required.
Each student in the class will prepare a written staff report for the Project and
present a particular aspect of the Project that interests them to the class orally for roughly
5-7 minutes during the last two weeks of class. The oral presentations and class discussion
will take place on May 14, 2024 and May 21, XXXXXXXXXXI would greatly appreciate each student
inging some unique personal perspective on their review of the Project, meaning that you can
make personal observations and not have to stick to the strictly staff report format. I would also
expect students to create visual aids for the Planning Commission such as google map images,
and powerpoint slides summarizing aspects of the Project. Each student would create
approximately 3-5 slides to enhance their presentation.
The paper is due for all students by 5:00 pm on Tuesday May 14, XXXXXXXXXXIn fairness to other
students, late papers will not be accepted without penalty without prior approved excuse.
At a minimum, each student’s staff report shall contain the following areas of discussion
(however, all students should feel free to expand on these topics or add other topics they feel are
elevant). There is no exact format for the staff report but if you want you can look at sample
staff reports and you can choose your local/favorite jurisdiction to get ideas on formatting etc. Or
you can review a County of Santa Cruz planning commission staff report.
http:
www.sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/ZoningDevelopment/AgendasHearings
PlanningCommission.aspx
mailto: XXXXXXXXXX
http:
www.sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/ZoningDevelopment/AgendasHearings/PlanningCommission.aspx
http:
www.sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/ZoningDevelopment/AgendasHearings/PlanningCommission.aspx
First, the class should independently confirm the information provided by the developer.
.
Go to:
http:
sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/PlanningApplicationStatus/Report
enter the Assessor Parcel Number: XXXXXXXXXXThis will provide you with a Parcel Status
Report.
In addition, in order to complete the assignment, the students should consult:
Santa Cruz County General Plan:
https:
www.sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/SustainabilityPlanning
GeneralPlanTownPlans.aspx
Santa Cruz County Zoning Ordinance
https:
www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaCruzCounty/#!/SantaCruzCounty13
SantaCruzCounty13.html
Santa Cruz County Subdivision Ordinance
https:
www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaCruzCounty/#!/SantaCruzCounty14
SantaCruzCounty14.html
One key goal of this Assignment is for you to spend significant time in each of the above
documents.
Our developer has provided a Submittal that has been submitted to the County of Santa Cruz.
Part of your assignment is to evaluate the proposal for compliance with the above General Plan
and Ordinances. The plan set is attached to this email.
Spend some time looking in detail at the Plan Set. I have attached the most recent plan set to the
email attached with this instruction sheet.
Look on line for resources on how to read plans. I googled “how to read building plans” and
looked at a few resources. Here is an article with a good overview:
https:
esub.com
log/how-to-read-construction-site-plans/
http:
sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/PlanningApplicationStatus/Report
https:
www.sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/SustainabilityPlanning/GeneralPlanTownPlans.aspx
https:
www.sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/SustainabilityPlanning/GeneralPlanTownPlans.aspx
https:
www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaCruzCounty/#!/SantaCruzCounty13/SantaCruzCounty13.html
https:
www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaCruzCounty/#!/SantaCruzCounty13/SantaCruzCounty13.html
https:
www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaCruzCounty/#!/SantaCruzCounty14/SantaCruzCounty14.html
https:
www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaCruzCounty/#!/SantaCruzCounty14/SantaCruzCounty14.html
https:
esub.com
log/how-to-read-construction-site-plans
Once you have determined the property’s zoning and general plan categories you can go to those
documents to figure out whether the proposal complies with the codes. This would include
determining compliance with density, lot coverage, floor area ratio, parking, open space, density
onus calculations, etc. and any other categories that you deem important. You will also need to
determine what permits/entitlements are likely required for the Project. It is planned as a
subdivision so will need approval of a tentative map.
At a minimum, each student’s staff report will contain the following discussion topics (please use
subject headings, executive summary, etc. but you don’t need to be constrained by the staff report
format, I want to know what you think about the project good and bad and whether you would
evise it, etc) This is a minimum and you can add topics and use your own creative approaches.
You will assume that the Project has been approved at an administrative level. You are
writing the staff report to the Planning Commission after the approval has been appealed
y a neighborhood group “Save our Santa Cruz”.
1. Executive Summary. This will be one paragraph approximately 1 page in length that
will summarize everything a decision-maker needs to know in one place about the Project
including your own staff recommendation, i.e. whether to approve or deny the Project
Appeal. If this was all the decision-maker read, he or she would be minimally prepared.
2. Project Description/Project Setting. This na
ative section will state the location of
project, parcel size, all requested permits/approvals for the Project and describe the site
and su
ounding neighborhood. (Consult google maps to evaluate the site, street and
su
ounding neighborhood). This will also state the existing General Plan/Zoning for the
property. Is the proposed project compatible with the neighborhood?
3. CEQA Compliance. Prepare a portion of an Initial Study. Discuss at least the following
impact areas: Land Use/Planning, Population/Housing, and Transportation/Traffic. Try
to answer the questions in Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines for these 3 topic areas in
a few paragraphs based upon your own opinions:
https:
esources.ca.gov/CNRALegacyFiles/ceqa/docs/ab52/final-approved-appendix-G.pdf
Based upon your review, do you think the project should be subject to an exemption, a negative
declaration, or an EIR and why? Please determine which exemption (that we discussed in class)
is applicable and explain/defend it in the staff report. Please discuss both the initial study
assuming CEQA compliance and the exemption.
4. Development Standards/Parking/Etc. Review the project plans/particularly Page
APO.52 Site Plan. Based upon your independent review of the codes, describe the
Project’s compliance with the various applicable development standards, including but
not limited to: lot coverage, floor area ratio, setbacks, parking, etc. You must consult
https:
esources.ca.gov/CNRALegacyFiles/ceqa/docs/ab52/final-approved-appendix-G.pdf
with the County Code on these topics and cite sections of the code that you use to
make these determinations.
5. Design/landscaping parameters for the project. Evaluate the overall site plan and
project and express your opinion regarding the choices made by the developer. Include a
discussion of whether the Project is “compatible with the neighborhood” as we discussed
in class.
6. Response to Appeal. You will need to advise the Planning Commission on the merits of
the appeal. The grounds for appeal are as follows:
a. Density. The neighbors argue that the Project is too dense and should be 8 units
as per the Zoning Code/General plan. Review the general plan/zoning code based
upon the classification of the property and analyze what density range is
authorized and/or required by the code. Include citations to the relevant sections
of the Code/General Plan.
. Historic Structure. The neighbors argue that the existing house is historic and
can’t be demolished. Review the code and explain the issues to the planning
commission with a recommendation to deny the appeal on this issue. Cite to the
Code.
c. Tree Removal. The neighbors argue that the project should be redesigned to
lessen the tree removals. Evaluate the project plans and recommend whether it
can be redesigned to avoid the tree removal based upon review of the code.
d. Open Space The neighbors think there is not enough open space in the project
and this will lead to negative impacts on the neighborhood.
7. What would you do to revise the Project to meet these concerns? Propose at least three
new project conditions of approval that would address these concerns and discuss their
legality based upon what you have learned in class. Another conditions shall involve
equiring that the developer dedicate property to provide a pocket park for the
neighborhood. Evaluate whether or not you think this pocket park condition could be
legally defended under Nolan/Dolan standards or other topics we have discussed in class.
8. Other issues. Please discuss any other issues that would you like to discuss in your staff
eport.
Thanks. Please contact me with questions!
PROJECT DIRECTORY
ARCHITECT
WORKBENCH
CONTACT: JAMILEH CANNON
189 WALNUT AVE.
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
P: XXXXXXXXXX
E: XXXXXXXXXX
OWNER
841 CAPITOLA LLC
CO: WORKBENCH
CONTACT: TIM GORDIN
189 WALNUT AVE.
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
P: XXXXXXXXXXEXT 201
E: XXXXXXXXXX
CONTRACTOR
WORKBENCH
CONTACT: TIM GORDIN
189 WALNUT AVE.
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
P: XXXXXXXXXX
E: XXXXXXXXXX
CIVIL ENGINEER
IFLAND ENGINEERS
CONTACT: JON IFLAND
5300 SOQUEL AVE, STE 101
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95062
P: XXXXXXXXXX
E: XXXXXXXXXX
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
MBLA
CONTACT: MEGAN BISHOP
P.O. BOX 328
APTOS, CA 95001
P: XXXXXXXXXX
E: XXXXXXXXXX
GEOTECHNICAL
ROCK SOLID ENGINEERING
CONTACT: DUSTY OSBURN
1100 MAIN ST, STE A
WATSONVILLE, CA 95076
P: XXXXXXXXXX
E: XXXXXXXXXX
ARBORIST
DAVEY RESOURCE GROUP
CONTACT: BRENDA WONG
ELIZABETH LANHAM
ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST
P: XXXXXXXXXX
E: XXXXXXXXXX
A101
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1
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A101
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DOOR OR GATE NUMBER
WALL TAG
WINDOW TAG
ROOM NUMBER
ELEVATION MARKER
ROOM AREA
DETAIL NUMBER
SHEET NUMBER
REVISION NUMBER
KEYNOTE NUMBER
A101
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1 Ref
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ELEVATION NUMBER
SHEET NUMBER
BUILDING SECTION NUMBER
SHEET NUMBER
GRAPHIC LEGEND
Room name
101
150 SF
X X X X ROOM FINISHES
11/30/23
Scale
Project numbe
Print Date
Drawn by
Checked by
189 WALNUT AVENUE
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
WORKBENCHBUILT.COM
P: XXXXXXXXXX
All drawings and written material appearing herin constitute original and
unpublished work of Workbench, Inc. and may not be duplicated, used or
disclosed without written consent of the Workbench, Inc.
ISSUES/ REVISIONS
APN numbe
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NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION
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COVER SHEET
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841 CAPITOLA ROAD
PLANNING PACKAGE
DRAWING INDEX - PLANNING
GENERAL
GP0.00 COVER SHEET
GP0.01 PROJECT INFORMATION
GP0.02 EXISTING SITE PHOTOS
GP0.03 RENDERINGS & 3D EXHIBITS
GP0.04 SHADOW STUDIES
GP0.05 DENSITY BONUS WAIVER DIAGRAMS
SURVEY
LS.1 LAND SURVEY
TENTATIVE MAP
TM1.0 TENTATIVE MAP
TM1.1 TENTATIVE MAP
CIVIL
C0.0 COVER SHEET
C0.1 TYPICAL STREET SECTION
C1.0 GRADING AND DRAINAGE PLAN (SOUTH)
C1.1 GRADING AND DRAINAGE PLAN (NORTH)
C1.2 PRIVATE ROAD PROFILE
C2.0 UTILITY PLAN (SOUTH)
C2.1 UTILITY PLAN (NORTH)
C3.0 STORMWATER CONTROL PLAN
C3.1 STORMWATER CONTROL DETAILS
ARCHITECTURAL
AP0.51 DEMOLITION SITE PLAN + EXISTING ELEVATIONS
AP0.52 PROPOSED SITE PLAN + SITE ELEVATIONS
AP1.01 PROPOSED OVERALL FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR PLAN
AP4.01 PROPOSED UNIT PLANS
AP5.01 PROPOSED BUILDING ELEVATIONS
AP6.01 PROPOSED BUILDING SECTIONS
AP9.01 LIGHTING PLAN
LANDSCAPE
L1.1 LANDSCAPE PLAN
L1.2 LANDSCAPE PLAN
06/30/2023
Issue DESCRIPTION DATE
1 DRG SUBMISSION XXXXXXXXXX
2 PLANNING PACKAGE XXXXXXXXXX
3 PLANNING REV XXXXXXXXXX
3
3
ASSESSORS MAP
SUBJECT PROPERTY
PROJECT DATA
LOT ADDRESS: 841 CAPITOLA RD.
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95062
APN: XXXXXXXXXX
LOT SIZE (PER SURVEY): 38,217.29 SF
ZONING DISTRICT: R-1-5
LAND USE DESIGNATION: R-UM