Evacuation triggers detailed by county leaders in wildfire zone
Preemptive evacuations in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire zone are expected this winter because short bursts of rain are likely to trigger mud slides and debris flow, county leaders said. “I would expect to be evacuated at least several times this winter,” said Mark Strudley, flood control program manager for Santa Cruz County, during an online presentation Friday. Strudley also said a slide could damage water pipes and many dead trees in the fire zone are likely to fall and knock out power during storms.
Evacuations on the North Coast and San Lorenzo Valley likely will be triggered by rain forecasts of 0.3 inches in 15 minutes, 0.5 inches in 30 minutes or 0.7 inches in one hour, county leaders said. The 24-hour rain anticipated is less important, leaders said.
Residents are encouraged to know their zone on the evacuation map and sign up for alerts at the county’s Code Red system. Authorities said Friday they are trying to improve Code Red’s compatibility with older cellphones.
- Stephen Baxter
Mental health response alternatives to be discussed
County leaders, Santa Cruz City Council members and residents will discuss mental health crisis responses and alternatives to law enforcement response in a city of Santa Cruz study session.
The event takes place 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16 on Community TV online or Comcast Channel 25.
Presenters include Santa Cruz police Deputy Chief Bernie Escalante, Santa Cruz County Director of Behavioral Health Erik Riera, White Bird Clinic Crisis Counselor Ben Adam Climber and Kris Youngren of Encompass Community Services.
Proposals to convert motel, small resort into homes in Boulder Creek, Felton
County supervisors will consider separate proposals Tuesday on whether to allow the conversion of a 10-room motel and a nine-cabin resort into permanent homes.
The former Wagon Wheel Motel is at 6154 Highway 9 in Boulder Creek. A proposal asks for a zoning change to allow one-bedroom units.
The Toll House Resort is at 4700 Highway 9. Six of the nine cabins would be converted to homes if a proposed zoning change is approved.
Santa Cruz City Planning Commission
7 p.m. Thursday Nov. 19 Online
Coral Street permanent supportive housing project to be considered
Planning commissioners will consider a plan to demolish six recuperative care units and replace them with 120 studios for permanent supportive housing at 119 Coral Street in Santa Cruz.
Capitola Rispin Mansion Park Community Workshop
6 p.m. Monday Nov. 16 Online
👉 To participate: Join on Zoom or call 669-900-6833. Enter meeting ID: 886 8417 7721. When prompted, enter passcode 444040.
Wednesday, the Scotts Valley City Council is scheduled to hear a presentation from county staff on a three-year strategic plan to address homelessness. 📰 Read Stephen Baxter’s recent story on the plan.
The council’s previous scheduled meeting for Nov. 4 was cancelled due to lack of agenda items. Tuesday, the council’s consent agenda has three items for approval: meeting minutes, check registers and meeting schedule. The regular agenda has one item: the determination of items on future agendas.
Follow the latest results in Santa Cruz Local’s Elections Guide
We’ll update the results as Santa Cruz County officials continue their count over the next few days.
Santa Cruz Local reader, thank you for supporting local news with your Santa Cruz Local membership. We are local journalists who are deeply invested and rooted in this county. We built this company as a public service.
