Homeless Garden Project
Project Update (10/30/23)
In June 2022, Parks and Recreation was notified that the City will receive funding to prepare remediation and site management plans, conduct CEQA review, and receive permitting to clean-up the site to allow for a farming use in the Lower Main Meadow area through the Department of Toxic Substance Control's Equitable Community Revitalization Grant Program. The City hired RRM to conduct the remaining soil sampling and prepare a remediation plan for the site. The soils testing was completed during March 2023. RRM will be submitting an updated soils report to the Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Division in May 2023.
Project Description
Locating the Homeless Garden Project's 9.5 acre Pogonip Farm and Garden in Pogonip Open Space
Background
The Pogonip Master Plan (1998) and Pogonip Master Plan Environmental Impact Report currently plan for the farm to be located in the Lower Main Meadow. The Homeless Garden Project was in the process of moving forward with the approved farm in the Lower Main Meadow when a historic skeet shooting use was discovered, and, as a result of concern for potential contamination, the City directed the Homeless Garden Project put the project on hold until the site could be deemed safe to farm. Contamination was found after initial testing and the City enrolled in the Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Division's Voluntary Site Clean-up Program. The City received a grant from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for in-kind services to assess the site. DTSC prepared a Preliminary Endangerment Assessment which determined that approximately 4.5 acres of the proposed site could be farmed with the preparation and approval of a Site Management Plan. The Homeless Garden Project submitted a request to the City for the farm to be relocated to the Upper Main Meadow given the challenges and costs associated with trying to farm in the Lower Main Meadow. The Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council reviewed the request during a series of meetings. On September 28, 2021, the City Council unanimously approved the initiation of a Pogonip Master Plan Amendment process. On February 17, 2022, the Homeless Garden Project requested that the City hold-off on any planning efforts to move the farm to the Upper Main Meadow. The Homeless Garden Project would like more information on the costs and timeline associated with remediating the Lower Main Meadow to allow for farming to occur. In response, City staff paused all efforts related to relocating the farm location to the Upper Main Meadow. During the September 28, 2021 City Council meeting, a feasibility study was presented to the City Council describing how to remediate the Lower Main Meadow to allow for farming to occur. At the meeting, despite the setbacks caused by the contamination, the Homeless Garden Project reported that it is currently exploring three potential farm sites. One of these sites is the Lower Meadow at Pogonip, for which it has successfully completed a $3.5M capital campaign. The Homeless Garden Project emphasized its responsibility to the community and the people it serves, and reiterated its commitment to exploring all three sites until it has secured a permanent location.
Upcoming Meetings
None are currently scheduled.
To be placed on a noticing list for future meetings, please send an email request to ndowning@cityofsantacruz.com
Previous Meetings
Location
501 and 410 Golf Club Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 View Map
36.995381,-122.03833
501 and 410 Golf Club Drive ,
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
501 and 410 Golf Club Drive ,
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Homeless Garden Project