Another Battle I Have Not the Resources to Wage

The University is talking about their plan for "faculty and staff" housing again. Inclusion Area D is the name of the location on the meadow. While the University's Long Range Development plan says that this area could be used for housing, the Implementation Program for the LRDP, clearly states

Minimize and place a low priority on development on Area D and restrict its use to a non-housing, university-related facility.

But this matters not to current campus planners. When I pointed this out to a PPC planner, I was told that the LRDPIP was simply a guideline, not the LRDP itself. The reporter's statement that this site was designated for housing in 1988 is quoting the LRDP, not the later Implementation plan, of 1991.

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The Sentinal story appears to be written by the Public Information Office, making little mention of the already considerable opposition to the siting of the development. While the story talks about the development's "Cowell Ranch" and ocean views, it ignores how visible these little mansionettes will be from the upper campus. None of the graphics in the little design package here show what it will look like from the top of the meadow. The "Cowell Ranch" is a phrase that no one uses in real life, what they mean are the converted ranch buildings of the lower campus. It means it will be a housing development you see as you enter the campus.

The staff housing portion of the University's program is in the renovation of 30-year old apartments and selling them as condos to staff. I think staff getting housing from the University is a really bad idea. If people can't afford to live in Santa Cruz, they should be paid more money for the work they do. They shouldn't give their rent to their employer, or their condo fees, or anything at all. Employer provided housing is not the answer.