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Thursday, September 6, 2012
Wikipedia
Tonight, the Santa Cruz City Planning Commission will review plans for the construction of a temporary basketball arena, to be located on land owned by the Seaside Company in downtown Santa Cruz. The proposal is being “fast-tracked” by the City, which appears ready not only to allow this construction project to go forward, but also to provide $4 million dollars of the City’s “deep financial reserves” to subsidize the construction of this facility for the use of the Golden State Warriors. The owners of the Warriors are definitely in a “construction” period. They are also planning to build a basketball arena in the City of San Francisco, though that one is going to be a permanent facility, and it doesn’t appear that it will be receiving any financial subsidy from the City of San Francisco.
For City residents, the financial aspects of the proposed deal may be the most important issue. It appears that the City won’t be getting the entirety of its $4 million back, so for the money that isn’t coming back, this is simply a City contribution to the Warriors’ owners, not a loan. However, the planning aspects are also worth considering. The City is saying that no Environmental Impact Report is required, on the basis that there won’t be any significant noise, traffic, air quality, or water quality impacts.
There is more information in today’s Land Use Report blog. The City Council is scheduled to make a final decision next Tuesday, September 11th.
More Information:
Sentinel Article on Warriors’ Proposal
San Francisco Chronicle article on Warriors Proposal in San Francisco
City Planning Commission Agenda
Former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Gary Patton talks about land use, and land use decisions, with an emphasis on public participation and how the land use process works.