In light of concerns around COVID–19 and the decision by campus leaders this week to move classes online and to limit gatherings of more than 50 people, university planners are modifying the format of two upcoming Long Range Development Plan Environmental Impact Report scoping sessions. The session will now be live-video format only, not in-person sessions. Campus is also extending the scoping period to provide alternative methods for public participation.
UC Santa Cruz is preparing the Environmental Impact Report for its proposed Long Range Development Plan in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The proposed LRDP would replace the 2005 LRDP for campus, and proposes land uses to support the academic mission of UC Santa Cruz through 2040.
Scoping sessions
The scoping sessions give the public the opportunity to learn more about the environmental review process for the LRDP. Those who participate in the scoping sessions are able to provide comments on the range of issues to be addressed in the EIR. Note that the date and times for the sessions remain the same despite the change to a virtual format. Here are the details:
- Campus Scoping Session: Thursday, March 12, noon to 2 p.m.
- Community Scoping Session: Thursday, March 12, 6–8 p.m.
Use this link to participate in either session.
During each session, planners will give a brief presentation, then read the public comments they have received to date via the live video feed. The presentation will be posted on the LRDP website before the event; the link to the live video feed will also be included online.
If you would like your comments to be read during the live feed, send them to eircomment@ucsc.edu from now until the end of each scoping session. Please indicate which session, “Campus” or “Community,” you would like your comments to be read aloud during, and provide your full name for the transcript. All comments received will be included in the record. Depending on the volume of comments received, and as is typical with all public hearings, we may limit each person’s comment to three minutes to make sure all comments are heard.
Additional scoping session
An additional scoping session will be added the first week of April. We anticipate this will also be a virtual session. More details will be provided in the coming week.
Scoping period
Campus is extending the deadline of the scoping period from 5 p.m. Monday, March 30, to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 8.
Written comments will be accepted anytime during the Notice of Preparation review period, which runs from now until 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 8. Please state “LRDP NOP Comments” in the subject line, and send your written or electronic responses, with appropriate contact information, to the following address:
Erika Carpenter
Senior Environmental Planner
Physical Planning, Development and Operations
University of California, Santa Cruz
1156 High St., Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Email: eircomment@ucsc.edu
UC Santa Cruz’s Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report is available for review at the following locations:
- UC Santa Cruz: Physical Planning, Development and Operations Office, Barn G, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz Public Library, Downtown Branch, 224 Church St., Santa Cruz
- Online: UCSC Environmental Documents website
- For disability-related access needs, contact Erika Carpenter by email at escarpen@ucsc.edu or call her at 831–212–0187
