Kennan Street Pathway Access Threatened Again
The owners of the Riverview Apartments are once again attempting to close the gate at the end of Kennan Street. Several times in the past they have tried to get the bicycle and pedestrian access to the San Lorenzo River Levee Pathway closed to the public. The access provides a safe route to the signaled intersection with Ocean Street, and is a safe way for cyclists and pedestrians from the Market Street and Branciforte Drive areas to get to the levee pathway. It also provides a safe route to Harbor High and Branciforte Schools for children living in the apartments. The property owners have cited the need to control access to the apartment complex because of problems with drug dealing and prostitution. Studies show, however, that these kinds of problems are reduced by public pedestrian and bicycle through traffic.
At the January 23rd meeting, the Santa Cruz City Council was asked to direct staff to reach an agreement with the owners about renewing the contract with the city to retain the property as Section 8 low income housing. The contract will be up for renewal in 2008. Both sides want to reach an agreement early. One of the conditions the apartment owners are demanding is the right to permanently close the Kennan Street gate. They have threatened that if the city fails to meet all their demands, they the will not renew the contract for low income housing. If this were to happen, the owners will stop receiving Section 8 vouchers and may—once renters move out of their own accord, and not before—convert dozens of units into market-rate housing.
When the contract was last renewed in 2003, the city granted the owners permission to lock the gate at the end of Kennan Street. This action was taken despite the Planning Commission's recommendation that the gate remain open at all times and that access be improved. Many members of People Power and the general public spoke out for keeping the gate open but to no avail.
At issue is not simply this one gate, but the principle that local government needs to stand up to unreasonable requests by private landowners. None of the council members seem to think that cutting off access will reduce crime, nor that it is good public policy. Instead, they appear to be cowed by threats from the apartment owners. If private landowners know that they can push the city around they will do so, and we will end up losing important bike and pedestrian access points throughout the city.
The request to lock the gate has been referred to the Planning Commission. It is on their meeting agenda for Thursday, February 15, at 7:00 PM. The issue will come before the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday, February 27. Come to the meetings to support our right to maintain access to the levee and other public rights of way. Send email to the Planning Commission cityplan@ci.santa-cruz.ca.us and the City Council citycouncil@ci.santa-cruz.ca.us, or write a letter to the council at 809 Center St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For more information, call us at 425-0665.