Library annex, child care additions to Live Oak center moves ahead

Santa Cruz Sentinel - 7/14/2021

Jul. 14—LIVE OAK — An addition to the Simpkins Swim Center off of 17th Avenue, featuring more than 2,500 square feet of space for library activities and child care, will go to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for consideration after its summer recess.

The Santa Cruz County Planning Commission on Wednesday morning unanimously approved the library annex plans, first proposed as a community benefit in 2017, with the condition that Noll & Tam Architects and county project planners return to the commission before the construction of the second phase of the building. This condition came from concerns from a few members of the public and most of the commissioners present that the design for the childcare center at the rear of the building may have a negative impact on the adjacent riparian corridor.

"This is more than adding a building to the project. It includes increased intrusion into the riparian buffer zone," said county resident Michael Lewis, referring to the area of vegetation that serves as a habitat for fish and wildlife. "I'm really concerned that this part of phase two be addressed now and not be a ministerial decision — a decision taken without public input."

Noll & Tam Architects representative Leah Marthinsen reassured attendees that planners were looking to be as mindful of the whole area as possible, including only using just enough lighting features to keep the area safe. County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said his team has been involved in the project design and has sought to protect, not invade, the riparian region specifically.

"We want to embrace it," he said, later referencing recent fires and homeless occupation in the corridor that had likely caused some damage. "It is not necessarily outlined exactly what we are going to do, but we want to improve the riparian corridor and protect it and do a better job of that."

Hearing Gaffney's comment, Third District alternate Denise Holbert said she didn't think construction should go ahead on the second phase without a strong sense of public transparency.

"I'm concerned that when we talk about it, they say, 'We don't know what we are going to do,'" Holbert said of planners. "The fact that it's theoretical at this stage concerns me."

Benefits of the addition

The library annex space would be able to supplement the nearby Live Oak library branch, limited in parking especially by its proximity to East Cliff Drive and a protected marsh. Library Regional Manager Heather Norquist explained that the annex could allow for more child-oriented, creative and sometimes loud activities that would otherwise not fit in at the library branch.

"We have some very popular programs that are very well-attended but so many people come that there's nowhere for them to park," Norquist said. "This annex would allow us the opportunity to invite huge numbers. For example, our 'Toddler Time' gets up to 70 people attending and that's a noisy program with a lot of movement and action. It'd be great to offer that at the annex."

It could also ease transportation for kids and teens that utilize the Boys & Girls Club or attend Shoreline Middle School, as those are both within the area of Simpkins Swim Center, Norquist added. There, they could utilize small conference, group study and tutoring rooms currently planned for the annex, Project Manager Damon Adlao said. The plaza outside is being redesigned to accommodate their programs, too.

"(It would) develop a sense of place for Live Oak, we thought this was an ideal space for that," Adlao said.

Planner Randall Adams said that the proposed addition and partial remodel of the existing facility would match the architectural style of the swim center building as well as the Boys and Girls Club and the middle school. Marthinsen concurred. The style is just one of many elements built upon feedback from four community meetings conducted in 2018 and 2019.

"I know I shouldn't say this, but it will be beautiful," she said.

If the supervisors vote to approve the project, funding from the Measure S library facilities bond passed by voters in 2016 will be used to raise the annex and its related additions.

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