Community Matters

May 16, 2025 Hour One: What did the Santa Cruz City Coucil Approve re: Downtown Expansion Plan? Hour 2: Stop Lithium BESS in Santa Cruz County; Life After Moving Out of California

Hour One: Gillian Greensite, Frank Barron & Keresha Durham discuss what the Santa Cruz City Council approved May 13 relating to the City's Downtown Expansion Plan for South of Laurel.  How tall could the future buildings be around the new Arena? Three city blocks slated for demolition, but how much affordable housing will there actually be?

Hour Two: Diane Dutton-Jones discusses the well-attended "Stop Lithium BESS in Santa Cruz" public meeting held May 12 in Watsonville to inform the people living near proposed 90 Minto Road BESS project, already in permitting process.  Why isn't the Public allowed at the table to negotiate the County's new BESS Ordinance?  Who IS writing those regulations???

AND  Kris Kirby checks in about life after  pulling up roots in California and moving far away.  Any regrets?  What is her advice to those contemplating such a move?

May 9, 2025 Interview with Frank Barron and Keresha Durham re: Santa Cruz City Downtown Explansion Plan Souht of Laurel Area

Both hours devoted to discussing this massive and monumental project to convert 29 acres in Downtown Santa Cruz, South of Laurel.  The Santa Cruz City Council will consider this project May 13, making decisions that could forever change the character of Santa Cruz with buildings as high as 16-24 feet tall in an area prone to liquefaction and flooding.  Frank Barron and Keresha Durham point out that the EIR was rushed and inadequate, urging people to show up at the Council meeting to request Alternative #1 with Option B only.

1st Hour: Ross Gibson re: Redman-Hirahara Farmstead Importance of Preservation; 2nd Hour: Brian Roeder re: Never Again Moss Landing & Nina Audino re: Stop Lithium BESS in Santa Cruz County

1st Hour: Ross Gibson discusses County Historic Resources Commission's unnecessary quick action to de-list Redman-Hirahara Farmstead from the National Historic Registry and why preservation is critical of this iconic 1897 Victorian designed by William Weeks and highlighting the action Watsonville residents took to help the Hirahara Family keep their property upon returning from WWII imprisonment.

https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/04/06/guard-dogs-seeking-landmark-demolition-ross-eric-gibson-local-history/

 

2nd Hour:  Brian Roeder discusses "Never Again Moss Landing" grassroots work to gather information and mobilize thousands of people harmed by the January 16, 2025 Vistra Battery Energy Storage System(BESS) fire in Moss Landing.  State and local help has been lacking, but the people are working to gather information to document their plight., and encourage people to keep pressure on elected representatives. https://neveragainmosslanding.org/

Nina Audino is working with others in Santa Cruz County to stop lithium BESS facilities planned at three locations.  One is already in permit process at 90 Minto Road in Watsonville, near dense subdivisions, the County's Fairgrounds evacuation site, and College Lake water source. The group meets 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 12:30-2pm, at Aptos Library https://www.facebook.com/groups/519407474020832/

April 25, 2025 Interview 1) Karell Reader re: Redman/Hirahara Farmstead Preservation, 2) John Hall & Lira Filippini re: Our Downtown, Our Future and the downtown parking garage/library, farmer mkt mkt

1st Hour: Karell Reader describes the rich history of the Redman/Hirahara Farmstead, how residents rallied to help the Hirahara family and other Japanese-American citizens keep their land after imprisoned in WWII, The Foundation's attempt to preserve it, and now the County's drive to delist it from the National Historic Registry to enable demolition...unless a wealthy group can pool money to again save it to create a meaningful Pajaro Valley "Gateway" for future generations. Speak up at County Board of Supervisor meeting next month regarding de-listing this treasure, designed by local famous architect William Weeks. https://pajaronian.com/redman-hirahara-house-facing-final-chapter/

2nd Hour: John Hall and Lira Filippini, organizers of Our Downtown, Our Future,  discuss the Santa Cruz City plan for Lot 4 to relocate the Farmers Market and cut down heritage trees to make room for an 8-story parking garage, library and affordable housing.  Measure S library bond funding has run out, leaving insufficient money to finish the new library but would have been adequate to renovate the existing library...and save the heritage trees for the urban forest needed for cooling and bird habitat.  Speak up at City Council meetings!  

https://www.ourdowntownourfuture.org/

April 18, 2025 Renee Flemming & Santa Cruz County Law Library; Coty Sifuentes-Winters & MidPen Eucalyptus Removals at Sierra Azul Preserve

First Hour: Santa Cruz County Law Librarian Ms. Renee Flemming describes what help and information are available to navigate various legal issues with or without an attorney, and how the Library was established in 1896 by a County Ordinance, and is funded and managed today.

Second Hour: Mr. Coty Sifuentes-Winters, Vegetation Ecologist and Project Manager for MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District describes the 2.5 acre project near Lexington Reservoir in the Sierra Azul Preserve to remove eucalyptus trees for fire hazard reduction and native habitat restoration. What was the CEQA process and who were the agencies that partnered with MidPen to fund and support the work?

April 11, 2025 First Hour interview with Ryan McCauley...MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District and wildflower hikes; Big developer now on Planning Comm.; Hour 2: Stop Lithium BESS event 4/14/25

First Hour: Ryan McCauley, MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District, discusses formation of the District in 1972, to acquire and protect 62,000 acres as 26 Preserves, most open to the public for hiking, funding second safe wildlife crossing under Hwy 17, and a pedestrian/equestrian overpass,  and improvement projects supporting further trail systems.  He shared the best wildflower hikes currently are in St. Joseph's Hill (Los Gatos) and Skyline Ridge (Hwy 35). 

Host separately discussed recent appointment of Jesse Nickell, former VP of Barry Swenson Builder, by District 2 County Supervisor DeSerpa to County Planning Commission (he doesn't even live in D2!).

Second Hour: Liza Schmidt, Survivor of Moss Landing Vistra Battery Fire, discusses what happened during and after the disaster, lack of protocol for local medical agencies, and health problems since the disaster that officials are ignoring.  Nina Audino, STOP Lithium BESS in Santa Cruz County, discusses upcoming Town Hall Meeting April 14 in Watsonville to provide residents information and action plans because local officials are silent and unresponsive in face of impending approval of new BESS Ordinance and three such facility locations (Paul Sweet Rd. near Dominican Hosp., Freedom Blvd. near Aptos High, and 90 Minto Road in Watsonville... in permitting process!

April 4, 2025 Interview with Neil Pearlberg "Off the Lip" discussion of Senator John Laird about Moss Landing Battery Fire issues, Santa Cruz's character; Sean Dougherty Greens Say NO to Lithium BESS

First Hour: Neil Pearlberg talks about what happened following his podcast with Senator John Laird about Moss Landing Battery Fire; importance of civil and  neutral "Off the Lip" public forums, convening a panel of experts to talk about lithium BESS alternatives, and wondering about why Downtown Santa Cruz is becoming full of high-rise buildings.

Second Hour: Sean Dougherty, Green Party Committee leader describes April 5 "Lithium Fires Rally!"  at London Nelson Center, Vistra's contributions to elected leaders (Dawn Addis returned hers!) and alternatives to lithium battery energy storage systems (BESS) that Santa Cruz County needs to consider with panel of experts.  Phillip Carranco, regulatory policy expert call-in.

March 28, 2025 First Hour: Bryan Shields discusses Nor Cal Carpenters Union and UCSC construction issues; Second hour: Kris Kirby ... Oregon Fire Map resistance; Nina Audino: STOP Lithium BESS in SC

First Hour: Bryan Shields describes value and importance of Nor Cal Carpenters Union, Women in Construction Career Day (4/25), problems with W.E. O'Niel Construction Co. and ADCO Drywall & Metal Framing subcontractors at UCSC Hagar Construction Project. Urged letters to UC Regents to require working closely with local construction unions to include language in project pre-applications to ensure proper prevailing wages are paid and the Community is well-served.

Second Hour: Kris Kirby discusses life in Grants Pass, Oregon since moving out of California, political activity there and transitioning from California.  Thinking of moving out?  Listen to what she has to say!

Also, Nina Audino discusses STOP Lithium BESS in Santa Cruz County efforts and why the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors are refusing to hold town hall meetings with constituents before the proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Ordinance that would approve three sites in the County for rezoning (90 Minto Road Watsonville, Freedom Blvd. Aptos, and Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz).  Urges education on the issues.