Council approves Westcliff Drive path realignment; project will remove eight parking spaces

The Santa Cruz City Council voted to approve a staff recommendation to realign the multi‑use path on Westcliff Drive after staff presented erosion data and a design that pulls the path back toward the back of curb.

City engineer Kevin Crossley said the bluff will continue to erode and that armoring was not a preferred option; instead staff recommended moving the path inland as the most durable, cost‑effective solution. Crossley warned that the trade‑off includes lost parking: "we're going to lose 8 spaces of parking," he said. The project would also remove ice plant, relocate benches, fence a small hazardous area, and use a local coastal program permit process previously reviewed at the planning commission. Staff said the work is funded through a state West Cliff resiliency grant and that construction will require temporary detours with up to two months of westbound detours at the location.

Council asked about neighborhood outreach, traffic control and alternatives; staff said they used a Westcliff contact list, posted mandatory signage during planning review, and will send postcard notices with detour details once scheduling is finalized. The council approved the item on a roll‑call vote.