Greenway Title and Summary

This is the Title and Summary of the Yes-Greenway Initiative. It does not include important details about how the Santa Cruz County General Plan would be changed to remove the freedom to plan future rail transit.

To read the full text of the initiative, go here: https://sites.google.com/coastalrail.org/initiative/home

When the proponents of an initiative measure submit a petition to the County Elections Official stating their intention to circulate and gather signatures to qualify a measure on the ballot for the next election, the California Elections Code requires the County Counsel to prepare an impartial title and summary of that measure. The County Counsel makes no conclusion in this summary about the accuracy of any representations in the measure, nor the legality of its provisions, if enacted. Nor does the County Counsel take a position on this proposed measure.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GREENWAY INITIATIVE

Under state law, every city and county is required to adopt a comprehensive, long-term “General Plan” that outlines the future growth and development of land use for that jurisdiction. In 1994, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors adopted a General Plan and Local Coastal Program. In subsequent years, it has been amended at various times. The County’s general plan only applies to areas in the unincorporated areas; it does not affect land use within the city limits of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Capitola, or Scotts Valley.

The Circulation Chapter is one of seven required “elements” or chapters that must be included in a general plan. Since 2011, the Circulation Chapter must also describe a “balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways.” In this County, this chapter serves as the key policy statement regarding transportation facilities and programs serving the unincorporated areas.

If approved by the majority of voters, this proposed measure seeks changes to “Chapter 3: Circulation” of the County’s General Plan. As submitted, this measure includes a total of nine pages of single-spaced text with amendments to six sections of this chapter. Voters are referred to the initiative documents for complete details. The proponents have outlined the purpose and policy goals of the measure as follows:

  • Supporting the development and interim use of a portion of the Santa Cruz Branch Line Corridor (“Corridor”) between certain designated local landmarks as a “high-quality, multi-use Greenway” for various community uses while preserving future rail options through railbanking;

  • Prioritizing interim use of existing trestles and railbed for the Greenway, while preserving future rail options through railbanking; and

  • Preserving the use of a portion of the Corridor for existing freight service in Watsonville, existing Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway recreational service, and a future Watsonville/Pajaro Junction station.

As amended, “Objective 3.7 Rail Facilities” in the “Transportation Management System” would add “Greenway Planning” to the title and define its specific uses and goals. Under the “Policies” subsections, the titles and descriptive paragraphs of 3.7.1 and 3.7.3 would be modified to be compatible and consistent with the addition of the Greenway concept. Other Policies would also be amended. In the “Programs” section, subsection (a) would be modified to encourage and support other agencies to study the Greenway, and subsections “(b)” and “(c)” would be eliminated.

The measure also includes several conforming amendments to additional sections of Chapter 3. These relate to the potential use of the Santa Cruz Branch Line Corridor for the Greenway as well as encouraging and supporting the development of the Greenway in improving transportation systems, recreation systems, the movement of commodities, and in responding to new regional plans.