by spadmin | Sep 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
Date: August 12, 2024
Re: Comments to the Proposed Moran Lake Butterfly Habitat Management Plan
Dear Manu,
Currently a vulnerable species, Monarch butterflys may be relisted as endangered as early as
this December.
Save Pleasure Point (SPPt) supports the efforts and dedication for Monarch Butterfly Habitat
Preservation in our Moran Lake Area.
Yet we feel there must be equal attention to balancing habitat protection to the needs of public
safety. In support of our PPt neighbors we urge that this Monarch Butterfly Habitat area be
continuously and timely monitored including vigorous year-round maintenance.
Of concern is that the proposed Habitat Management Plan’s recommendation language uses
the word “will” not the word SHALL (intend to do). As such the Plan’s recommendations lack
teeth! Board approval of this Plan does not promise or require area observations, tree and
ground monitoring, assessments and maintenance being timely nor thorough..
Moran Lake’s surrounding area is residential. Towering unkempt eucalyptus trees create perils!
We understand rule of thumb suggests that if a eucalyptus is 100 feet tall it is recommended
each tree be at least 100 ft away from any structure and that recommended spacing between
planting new eucalyptus trees is 25 feet from the other.
Eucalyptus risk issues at 40 Moran Way resulted in a February 2024 storm causing severe
structure damage to adjacent Moran Way residences. One home had 3 trees fall through it. On
the other side of Moran, a home on Baker St was hit in this same storm leaving the structure
looking like toothpicks. This 2024 storm did not start “eucalyptus calamties” around Moran:
over the past 10 years homes on the parking lot side of Moran Lake have had eucalyptus land
on their roofs; a home on Palisades had a eucalyptus from 40 Moran fall across the width of the
street and through its roof.
During these incidents it is beyond lucky that no one has been injured or killed! How long will
this luck hold? Also, there is the “after” the misfortune: the emotional and financial impact on
those affected.
Area surveillance, tree risk assessments and maintenance in Moran’s Monarch Habitat area
MUST be frequent and regular including removing vegetation around the trees, topping trees,
removing bark which peels back, removing hazardous branches and removing on the ground
debris. In February 2024 if risk monitoring had been up to date isn’t it safe to presume that
many hazardous trees would have already been removed with other potential problems already
noted and addressed?
A non-native tree, eucalyptus are an invasive species. Yes, they grow fast yet at what cost? The
dense weight of their branches makes them prone to falling in winds; their heaviness makes
counterbalancing their roots difficult and they emit a flammable oil in their leaves making them
a serious fire risk.
While it may be believed Monarch butterflys only thrive in eucalyptus trees it is important to
note that no study has proved this claim. Griffiths & Villablanca in 2015 suggested Monarchs
do not prefer eucalyptus trees and that restoration of habitat areas should include native
species.
An example of a more varied habitat is nearby Asilomar, a many decades-old Monarch Habitat
site. Asilomar has a variety of trees that “their” Monarchs overwinter in. Asilomar’s monarchs
roost in eucalyptus, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress and coast live oaks.
Being that Monarchs can adjust and thrive if a different habitat is introduced, why in 2023 were
100 new eucalyptus trees planted in Moran’s habitat area? Going forward, we urge that it be
mandatory to plant only native trees in this habitat area (plant natives beyond seedling stage;
for sure there is a nursery who will discount the price of larger plants for this greater good).
SPPt. urges Moran’s Monarch counts be published annually to foster increased awareness of
their plight and/or success of this habitat’s revival (Moran’s counts: 1997 – 70,000; 2023 –
7,050). To assist grow this majestic species we suggest that the County also encourage locals
living within an appropriate distance of Moran’s habitat area to plant a combination of the 20
types of flowers that Monarchs feed off of including certain milk weeds, golden rod, black-eyed
Susan, butterfly bush, cosmos, lantana, etc.
Respectfully submitted: Save Pleasure Point’s Steering Committee: Jo Ann Allen, Kimber
Blackburn, Patti Brady, Carin Hanna, Glenn Hanna, Lowell Marcus, George McCullough, Padi
Romero, Matt McMillan, Debbie Shulman, Jerry Still, Marika Strauss, Kevin Walter, Vanessa
Young (all PPt residents, property owners and business owners
by spadmin | Sep 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
Hello Manu
When we reach out, Save Pleasure Point (SPPt) appreciates your and your staff’s prompt
responses including your meetings with our Steering Committee.
“Thanks” to the WSJ, NYTimes and Sunset articles, PPt was found-out!! With summer “here”
our daily and weekend crowds will increase creating extra wear on our infrastructure and on
residents.
Keeping our “Hood” spiffy, safe and accessible is a PR goldmine for the County and a boost for
Lower 41st’s small businesses. As such, we have complied a detailed list from 23 rd Ave to
Moran Lake to along East Cliff Dr, to Portola and in our Avenues of “safety, maintenance and
beautification” needs and suggestions. We’d appreciate your getting these concerns on Parks –
Rec and Public Works’ active ”workboards’.
Speeding, Congestion on East Cliff Dr (ECDr) – the Avenues, on Portola
25-mph is rarely adhered to ANYWHERE. a summertime 20-mph speed limit for our
narrow Avenues and on ECDr would be a worthy experiment! Note: many Capitola
village streets are posted 15-mph
Drivers have to be bobble heads getting through the stop signs at Portola’s 38 th and 41 st
Avenue intersections (recently a Tesla went under a bus at 38 th ). It is time for a
solution: a light, flashing lights on the stop signs – something!
Stop signs on 26 th,, 30 th , 34 th , 36 th , 37 th and 38th are often rolled through. The CHP could
ticket dozens at 38 th and Floral. Drivers ignore the stop on 37 th at Floral – this should be
a 4-way stop. Cars going up the 23 rd Ave hill have been clocked at 50-mph
Paint is mostly non-existent: we have faded curbs, crosswalks, street stripping
Deliveries for Portola business should drop on Portola; the big delivery trucks now using
36 th and 38 th Avenue (1 lane each way) are creating bottlenecks and hazards for drivers
and pedestrians
East Cliff Drive (ECDr), the East Cliff Path (Path), The Hook
The Path’s surfaces are uneven; people have tripped, and some have fallen!! One
woman tripped, broke her tooth, had plastic surgery on her lip yet the County denied
responsibility
Originally this Path was 2-sided: the decomposed granite side for walking and asphalt
side for bikes. Now bikes and people jostle for space; the crowds added to strollers and
wheelchairs require full use of this Path
Bikes (every type) should be restricted from the Path
2
The bike lane needs “green stripping” and signage; bicycles and e-bikes go in both
directions; cars drive in it
Hook’s parking lot: people use a stepping-stone walk out to ECDr which notes the need
for a 2nd crosswalk here (original crosswalk is at the Hook’s shower)
Moran Beach – Lake, Moran’s Parking Lot, Moran Walking – Bike Path, Monarch Habitat Area
A very popular beach area, Jesse Williams and Steve Wiesner have been proactive
resolving Moran issues. Storm damage and extensive public use requires on-going
maintenance and upgrades: if Moran’s restoration plan monies are not “locked in” why
not use them now to make needed fixes?
Monitoring is needed: homeless tents go up at night and down during the day on the
beach and along the lake; RVs sometimes reside in the parking lot
The parking lot’s deep ruts cause problems for small cars and are tripping hazards for
pedestrians (this lot is often full)
The orange dots on the lake’s temporary wood fence fade and should be touched-up
often
“Hillside” erosion on the right side of the lake could reduce Moran’s walking- bike path’s
width; new boulders appear to be stopping this problem: we appreciate this being
watched
Aqua paint vs beige on Moran’s toilet/shower “shed” would be a cheerful plus (we’ll buy
paint and rollers)
Added to Moran’s crosswalk flashing beacon flashing yellow lights set further back on
ECDr would add to alerting drivers to Moran’s multitudes of pedestrian crossings
Acknowledge crossing “desire lines”: widen this crosswalk as pedestrians walk outside of
it per its short yet extra distance from/to the parking lot
A recontouring of the beach’s steep and slippery entry/exit path would make it safer,
easier for regular users and allow more disabled folks to enjoy Moran too
Moran’s bike and walking path needs more visible signage
Vacant ECDr lot at Palisades: if the old very large eucalyptus falls it will go across ECDr
into 2 homes (how much have repairs to 3 homes already cost the County?). This
Monarch butterfly habitat area could remain protected by planting a combination of
golden rod, black-eyed susans, butterfly bush, cosmos, lantana, etc.
The ECDr/Moran/Palisades crosswalk is on a blind curve; as many cars speed it is rarely
used (beacon or not); moving it closer to Anchorage would increase usage
Toilets – Showers at Moran Lake, 32 nd @ ECDr and the Hook
3
In constant use these toilets and showers should be kept in working order and cleaned
at least 2x per day. On holidays, during surf constants and other events their use
increases by multitudes and could use cleaning 4x a day
Fire Prevention
Tall, drying weeds are in PPt’s bike lanes, street curb areas, along the Path, along 30 th –
41 st ’s rail tracks and on islands
Where viable, spreading rock salt in many areas could deter weed growth for a year+;
goats would also be useful weed control; reducing weed-wack time could save labor
costs
Presumably PPt’s fire hydrants are in working order
Vacation Rentals and Airbnb’s
This irritant of many PPt neighbors needs ongoing vigilance. Compliance should include
uniform VR signage posted* in front of all permitted units. A Next-Door post recently
listed CA cities abolishing or restricting VR’s – most replied: “get Santa Cruz on this list”
*perhaps at Airbnb’s too
Together let’s keep our PPt beach neighborhood safe and our vibrant vibe intact! In advance,
we thank you for your support.
Respectfully – SPPt’s Steering Committee: Jo Ann Allen, Kimber Blackburn, Patti Brady, Carin
Hanna, Glenn Hanna, Lowell Marcus, George McCullough, Padi Romero, Matt McMillan, Debbie
Shulman, Jerry Still, Marika Strauss, Kevin Walter, Vanessa Young (all PPt residents, property
owners and business owners
by spadmin | Sep 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
SAVE PLEASURE POINT (SPPt) – Fall 2024 UPDATE
Save Pleasure Point’s goal is to protect, preserve, and build on PPt’s
unique character and surroundings: we focus on the Portola Dr Commercial
Corridor (projects should reflect, compliment Lower 41 st ’s charm and
neighborly qualities) and on resolving infrastructure concerns affecting our
neighborhood’s well-being!!
SPPt is “ YOU – US”! Join us! Our county’s leadership knows that when
SSPt sends out an “issue alert” PPt neighbors mobilize! Sticking together
we can ensure Pleasure Point grows while keeping our vibe and laid-back
charm intact.
Get PPt development information, read our correspondence and learn
news at savepleasurepoint.org; read our posts to Nextdoor; view our
Facebook page: savepleasurepoint and get email updates.
SEPTEMBER 2024: PORTOLA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AND LOWER
41 ST AVENUE UPDATE:
New shop isn’t yet finished: OPAL CLIFFS MOTORS at Portola &
41st was approved for conversion to a retail clothing store; a new
application is in process to expand the vacant “Cliff Café“ into this
space plus add an outdoor area. An application – permit sign will
soon be going up.
The PROPOSED MINI HOTEL on Lower 41st between Canton and
the old Chill Out building still needs a building permit. They have 3
years to obtain it so it could be a while before any action starts to take
place.
PLEASURE POINT PLAZA is a permitted 33-unit project with approx.
7,000 feet retail space (currently the Storage yard across from
SUDA).. The developer (Abbas H) now prefers adding additional
residential units and decreasing the commercial floor area; however,
these changes require going back to the Planning Commission and
Board for approval. We hear he may now reconfigure the residential
units (no increase to the 33 units or bedrooms) by decreasing the
commercial floor area within the approved structure. There would be
no major changes to the exterior of the structure (SPPT suggested
upgrades to many aspects of the design; Abbas accepted them). If a
Minor Variation is approved, Abbas would not need a new public
hearing but h would still need a building permit so it will be a while
before any groundbreaking takes place.
THE LUMBERYARD site at 38 th & Portola hasn’t sold. The owners,
the Pietro family, withdrew their application for an Amendment to the
Lumberyard permit (8 condo units and a large 1 st floor retail footprint
ok’d under Norhtpoint’s ownership). The Pietro’s may now be
considering a revised project with more housing units with a small
amount of retail space. No plans have been submitted.
Some months ago, Steven Gabay had some interest in getting a beer
garden permit for his VACANT LOT NEXT TO HIS BACK IN SHAPE
OFFICE BUILDING; it appears this idea has been dropped. His
original idea for this lot was a mixed-use building; perhaps this
concept will be pursued. Nothing has been submitted.
The old ED’S AUTO building at 38 th has been re-painted; at this
current time there are no plans for this site being remodeled, etc.
“PORTOLA 8”: 8 out of 9 parcels between 37 th and 30 th were
upzoned in 2023 (higher density allowances). The County is again
upzoning more parcels along various transportation corridors; SPPt
has asked zoning it there are any plans to upzone more parcels on
Portola: they have yet to responded to this ask.
STATE LEGISLATION says that on-site parking is not “so
necessary”! We continue to push back: a private developer’s tenants
or clients should not be allowed to usurp PPt’s limited on-street public
parking essential for locals and visitors to enjoy Lower 41 st ’s shops,
boutiques plus easy coastal access!
We hope you are using the FLASHING BEACON LIGHTS at the 26 th ,
32 nd & 36 th Ave – Portola crosswalks! SPPt advocated ”hard” for their
installation. A flashing beacon is now installed at the Moran
Lake/Beach crosswalk.
A memorandum: “SAFETY, MAINTENANCE, BEAUTIFICATION
NEEDS AND SUGGESTIONS RE: PPT”; it will soon be posted to
our web page. Send us your concerns! savepleasurepoint.org
Save Pleasure Point’s Steering Committee: Jo Ann Allen, Kimber
Blackburn, Patti Brady, Carin Hanna, Glenn Hanna, Lowell Marcus, George
McCullough, Padi Romero, Matt McMillan, Debbie Shulman, Jerry Still,
Marika Strauss, Kevin Walter, Vanessa Young (all PPt residents, property
owners and business owners)
by spadmin | May 4, 2024 | Uncategorized
Our goal is to grow our “village’s” style and vibe. To protect, preserve, and build on PPt’s unique character and surroundings along the Portola Dr Commercial Corridor and resolve infra-structure concerns affecting our neighborhood!!
SPPt is “YOU – US”! Stay in the know add your name and email to savepleasurepoint.org. We pass PPt development information and news via Nextdoor posts; our website: savepleasurepoint.org; Facebook: savepleasurepoint, posters and emails.
SPPt is not anti-growth AND we support the critical need for housing. The County’s new Sustainable Plan and Housing Element has been ok’d so it is likely new applications and permits will be again be getting issued for housing and mixed-use projects on Portola Dr. SPPt’s organizing efforts with your participation generated Portola’s Commercial Corridor’s Design Guidelines: new and re-do projects on Portola are to reflect, complement Lower 41st’s boutique charm and character, our coastal path and surf areas. Let’s make sure these guidelines stay adhered to!
Here’s a May 2024 Portola Dr. update:
– The Pietro’s have withdrawn their application for an Amendment to their Lumberyard project (38th & Portola). As a result, the original permit initially issued in 2016 to Northpoint, the original owners of the parcel with extensions by the Pietro’s is now officially void. They are still trying to sell the parcel and feel a new buyer will have their own ideas for a project on the parcel.
– Abbas H has submitted an application to extend his application for his Pleasure Point Plaza project (across from SUDA). His extension may be approved by early December. Under the new Sustainability Plan and Housing Element and use of diversity bonuses he might ask to increase the project’s number of units (currently permitted is 33 + retail space) – stay tuned!
– Back in Shape is considering a beer garden for the vacant portion of their property. Last year’s beer garden events held there were successful – enjoyed.
– The old Opal Cliff’s auto shop at 41st & Portola is on its way to being finished – it will be a retail clothing store. Next door -the now closed East Cliff Café – remains closed.
– At the former Chill-Out next to Penny Ice Cream there’s a change of use permit with an addition/remodel for a Mad Yolks (deli/sandwich shop).
– Vacant lot next to Canton: a small hotel is planned; the developers have met with the neighbors concerned about inadequate on-site parking that will force more cars in front of their homes; they are also concerned about hotel lighting beaming into their yards.
– The old Ed’s Auto building at 38th & Portola is going to be re-painted; which new color is close to getting a decision.
Via new legislation, the State now says that on-site parking is not “so necessary”! We will continue to push back: we feel a developer’s private project (tenants or businesses) should not make PPt’ limited on-street public parking needed by locals and visitors worse!
We hope you are using the flashing beacon lights at the 26th, 32nd & 36th Ave – Portola crosswalks; SPPt worked hard to convince the County to install them: using them confirms our advocacy was on target.!!!
Issues we’re currently working on include.
– Improving the Moran Lake/Beach area. Our SPPt committee member Vanessa Young led the effort to get the new flashing beacon at Moran’s crosswalk installed
– Speeding in the Avenues: too many drivers are breezing through stop signs ignoring “slow your roll.”
– Our efforts got big trucks off 36th at Cat & Cloud; recently trucks began dropping shipments on 38th blocking traffic – pedestrian safety issues. Sadly, the County has ok’d certain hours to use our residential streets as truck routes; SPPt disagreed in 2018 and are doing so again.
– Send us your concerns!
SPPt’s style is friendly yet firm. Former Supervisor Leopold and current Supervisor Koenig know that when SSPt sends out an “issue alert” PPt neighbors mobilize to share their say! Join us to keep this momentum going!
Save Pleasure Point’s Steering Committee: Jo Ann Allen, Kimber Blackburn, Patti Brady, Carin Hanna, Glenn Hanna, Lowell Marcus, George McCullough, Padi Romero, Matt McMillan, Debbie Shulman, Jerry Still, Marika Strauss, Kevin Walter, Vanessa Young (all PPt residents, property owners and business owners)
by spadmin | Apr 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
April 9, 2024
Dear Supervisor Koenig,
This is a formal request that Tim Gordin be replaced as your District 1 representative on our County’s Planning Commission.
As CEO of Workbench, Mr. Gordin is a developer. His lengthy discussion in the Santa Cruz Sentinel (April 6, 2024) supporting Workbench’s proposed 18-story building in downtown Santa Cruz specifically outlines his philosophy that includes projects having maximum density and substantial height. Note: we respect Workbench’s commitment to provide more low-income units than required; it is unfortunate that all developers do not do such.
We re-iterate that development on Portola’s Commercial Corridor is welcomed. The Pleasure Point Guidelines and Design Principles envision that development on Portola whether – all commercial, multi-use or housing – be characterized by varied architectural styles and sizes compatible to nurture and foster Pleasure Point’s style and local character.
Per his statements: we respectfully question Mr. Gordin’s ability to act impartially with understanding, appreciation and the obligation for a middle ground which is preserving our community’s uniqueness to a developer’s wants for size, density and profit.
We ask that you when replace Mr. Gordon that you do not seat another developer (or the like) in this position.
Submitted by Save Pleasure Point’s Steering Committee: Jo Ann Allen, Kimber Blackburn, Patti Brady, Carin Hanna, Glenn Hanna, Lowell Marcus, George McCullough, Padi Romero, Matt McMillan, Debbie Shulman, Jerry Still, Marika Strauss, Kevin Walter, Vanessa Young (all PPt residents, property and business owners)
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