Riverfront Project

Does This Development Imperil the San Lorenzo River’s Coastal Resource and
the City’s Natural Resource?

Although the Riverfront Project is already approved by the City Council, we have a chance to
present these and other concerns to the CA Coastal Commission hearing on March 12.
If our appeal is accepted, then the Coastal Commission can require important changes and
mitigations as part of its permit process for the project.
Your Letters of Support will enforce the importance of the Appeal concerns.
” ” DEADLINE for receiving your letters is MARCH 5th 2021
Please note CA Coastal Commission contact information at the end of this document
Is the proposed Front Street/Riverfront project protecting the San Lorenzo River
as a coastal resource?
No, it isn’t! In its November 20, 2020 letter to the City Council, staff of the Central Coast
District of the Coastal Commission acknowledges specifically that the proposed 81 feet
building height imperils these coastal resources:
• The San Lorenzo River resources
• Downtown/River aesthetics
• Potential effects on public views
• Endangers protection of the River as a resource itself
• Public benefits
Does the San Lorenzo River deserve inclusionary attention in the proposed Front
Street/Riverfront development?
Yes, it does, because
• the proposed development is close to the urban San Lorenzo River;
• the City of Santa Cruz highlights the river as a highly valued Natural Resources throughout
the City’s adopted Plans;
• the San Lorenzo River’s riparian corridor received special status for the endangered and
threatened steelhead,coho and Tide water goby;
• the river is an interactive watershed, depending on its diverse ecosystems;
• the river is in the path of the Pacific Migratory Flyway, protected under the Migratory Bird
Treat Act and Governor Newsom’s signed Executive Order N-82-20 of AB 454;
• 218 bird species have been recorded in the urban river stretch, which is number 13 out of a
100 e-bird County Hotspots;
• the San Lorenzo River is a main water supply source for Santa Cruz;
• the City’s natural setting presents Santa Cruz a rich tourist, real estate revenue stream.
Why do County, State and Federal agencies promote waterbody protection and
restoration?
• The public delegates the governing bodies to include the protection of the Natural Resources
and Coastal Resources in their decision making.
• Human development has caused a steep loss of habitats, resulting in an alarming decline of
the population for birds, insects, reptiles and fish.
• Recent studies are showing that the rich biodiversity of waterbodies help counter Climate
Change.
• The depletion of water supply due to human development raise concerns for water
municipalities.
CA Coastal Commission contact information:
• Must include the Appeal number and the name of the project we are appealing:
A-3-STC-21-0013 Riverfront Mixed-Use Building in the subject line.
• Send emails to CA Coastal Commissioners at CentralCoast@coastal.ca.gov
• Send snail mail letters to CA California Coastal Commission, Central Coast
District Office, 725 Front Street, Suite 300, Santa Cruz 95060-4508.
“”” Thank you for sending your letters

Here is a link to the entire appeals letter:   Appeals letter