Coastal Commission Lands in Watsonville

The first-ever meeting of the California Coastal Commission in Watsonville kicked off Wednesday morning with a lot of Southern California business, and Thursday promises a wave of local topics, including the embattled La Bahia hotel project.

meets monthly. Although the commission has gathered in Santa Cruz in the past, it's never met in Watsonville until this week.

The 125-room hotel proposed for Santa Cruz's Beach Flats needs a variance so it can be taller than current codes allow. Supporters say razing the old La Bahia apartments across from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to build a high-end hotel is good for the local economy. Detractors argue that the plans alter the coastline too drastically and impede the bay views nearby residents on Beach Hill enjoy.

Commissioners took a field trip to La Bahia on Wednesday afternoon.

Other local issues the commission will discuss Thursday include Santa Cruz city building codes, like how far garages have to be set back from the property line, and making bluff-top improvements near Twin Lakes State Beach.

The meeting continues Friday with Northern California agenda items.