Supervisors approve reforms to short-term rental ordinance
In a significant step toward balancing tourism with community needs, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has voted to advance a comprehensive overhaul of the County’s Vacation and Hosted Rental Ordinance.
The proposed reforms, which aim to curb Short-Term Rental (STR) overconcentration, strengthen compliance, and protect housing for local residents, will now move forward for further review by the Planning Commission and Coastal Commission.
The proposed regulations include but are not limited to: limiting the total number of non-hosted STRs to prevent unchecked growth; requiring online platforms to remove illegal rentals or face penalties; protecting long-term renters, by mandating landlords compensate evicted tenants if they convert a unit into an STR; and limiting STR density in overburdened neighborhoods to preserve local character and improve quality of life.
Developed by the Short-Term Rental Ad Hoc Subcommittee, consisting of Supervisors Manu Koenig and Justin Cummings, these reforms are the result of six months of extensive discussions with stakeholders—including STR hosts, property management companies, online rental platforms, and impacted residents.
Recognizing the potential impact of these regulations on the County’s tourism economy, the Board directed staff to identify ways to help existing hotels expand and encourage further development.
“Our County has two $1 billion industries: agriculture and tourism. We need to support our local tourism economy while preventing the erosion of long-term housing. That’s why we took the balanced approach of encouraging investment in hotels, rather than the conversion of homes into vacation rentals,” Koenig said.
With Board approval secured, the ordinance will now proceed to the Planning Commission for review before advancing to the Coastal Commission for final authorization. If approved, the updated regulations will return to the Board of Supervisors for final adoption.
Dignity Health Dominican Hospital awards $229K to nonprofits
Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has awarded $229,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in the communities it serves in Santa Cruz County. The grants, part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program, are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable and underserved populations.
“The 2025 Community Health Improvement Grants are a reflection of our commitment to working toward a healthier future for all. The awardee organizations work to improve and maintain health beyond the care we provide to patients in our hospital, and these grants help bring service into additional community settings,” said Nanette Mickiewicz, president and CEO of Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz.
The grant program helps to improve community health and health equity, and enhance local service systems, via restricted charitable contributions for defined projects.
Collaborating 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations applied to receive grant funds to address significant issues identified in the Dignity Health Dominican Hospital community health needs assessment. These can include improving Behavioral Health, Health Care Access and Delivery, Economic Insecurity and more.
The following organizations received grants to support program activities between March 2025 and February 2026: Dientes Community Dental Care, access to dental care for people who are experiencing homelessness, $40,000; Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County, the Center’s Health and Wellbeing Initiative, $35,000; Food, What, economic security and behavioral health supports through food, farming and community, $40,000; KidPower, Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower, $30,000; Monarch Services, Servicios Monarca, $49,000; and WomenCare, cancer support services, $35,000.
Ensemble Monterey presents ‘A Dream of Tomorrow’
Ensemble Monterey presents ‘A Dream of Tomorrow’ Ensemble Monterey will present “A Dream of Tomorrow,” the grand finale of its 2024-25 season, featuring the works of two innovative 21st-century composers. This significant concert will take place on Saturday, March 22, at 7pm at First Presbyterian Church in Monterey and on Sunday, March 23, at Peace United Church in Santa Cruz.
Virtuoso soprano Lori Schulman will perform Christopher Cerrone’s “The Pieces That Fall to Earth.” Cerrone, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, is acclaimed for his emotionally immersive compositions that explore themes of memory and transformation. Following this, the vocal ensemble Cantiamo! will perform Jocelyn Hagen’s “The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci,” conducted by Cheryl Anderson. Hagen is known for her innovative blend of multimedia and music, creating a captivating work that sets da Vinci’s words to music and incorporates stunning visuals.
This concert has special significance as it represents the final performance conducted by John Anderson, Ensemble Monterey’s founding artistic director, as well as the last concert locally led by Cheryl Anderson before her retirement from Cabrillo College’s vocal and choral programs. Their impactful contributions to the regional music scene are immeasurable, making this event a heartfelt tribute to their lasting legacies.
Tickets are available online at ensemblemonterey.org or at the door.
I make up to $24 an hour working from my home. My story is that I quit working at Walmart to work online and with a little effort I easily bring in around $45h to $89h… Someone was good to me by sharing this link with me, so now I am hoping I could help someone else out there by sharing this link.Try it, you won’t regret it!.!.
HERE→ https://salarycashapp23.pages.dev/