APTOS — The Santa Cruz County Planning Commission during its Wednesday meeting approved a proposal to demolish the current Aptos Branch Library on Soquel Drive and construct a new one.
Second District Representative Allyson Violante, whose constituents will benefit the most from the project, and new commission vice chair Rachel Dann made the motion to move the staff recommendation to determine the proposal was exempt from any further environmental study and make the findings to OK it.
Only one stipulation was added as suggested by new chair Tim Gordin and worded by commission and staff members: That the county review the proposed elevations along Soquel Drive to verify there will be minimal impacts associated with the thermoplastic polyolefin roof material. Thermoplastic polyolefin, or TPO, is a material that traps heat, cooling buildings down and powering facilities with the stored energy, architects explained.
Leading the reconstruction of the second most-used library in the county are Department of Public Works Project Manager Damon Adlao and a team at Anderson Brulé Architects, or ABA. The new library plans involve a facility that is nearly 4,000 square feet larger than the space opened in 1975, according to the agencies’ staff report.
“We are building a library to meet what is a current, future need,” Mark Shoeman of ABA said. “It’s my understanding that this building is overused at this point.”
Currently, the library is designed to fit into the natural environment with composite wood siding. The design team has teamed up with Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries to try to fundraise for the expensive siding option, a campaign with a website that asks donors to “realize the promise” of the facility.
The library will feature bookshelves for children, teens and adults as well as an area to access online materials. More indoor and outdoor square footage will be dedicated to existing and incoming library programming. Outside, children will learn around gardens.
ABA’s renderings allow for 73 parking spaces, with inclusive and electric charging spots, in the adjoining lot. The parking lot would be repaired and slurry sealed, the report adds. Around the property, generous landscaping, improvements to existing curbs, gutters, sidewalks and storm drains on roads the library abuts are written into the plans.
Adlao and the architects have been in talks with neighbors for at least two years, since ABA was awarded the contract to rethink the library in 2020. This was mentioned by Aptos lawyer Bill Parkin, who spoke on behalf of a couple who lives on Arden Way — a road that backs up to the facility. His clients, Debra and Michael Downing, are in favor of the project but through their attorney explained a handful of concerns.
First, they wanted to make sure that oak trees along the fence line stayed in place. Second, they asked that invasive ivy on the fence separating Arden Way from the library be removed due to rats. Third, they checked that no part of the building extends into the designated setback of 20 feet from residents. Fourth, they made sure that the roofing materials selected would not create a glare facing the neighborhood. Finally, they sought mitigation of demolition and construction regarding dust and parking of heavy machinery on their privately maintained road.
“There needs to be an open line of communication,” Parkin concluded.
All of these requests will be accommodated to the fullest extent that crews can, Adlao promised. The oak trees will stay and as much ivy will be pulled as is possible while maintaining the integrity of the fence. While no stipulations will be put on building crews regarding where to park machinery, Adlao said the ask was doable and that building and grading permits required for the project will act as controls in place for effects such as dust.
“I will make sure that a sign is posted that has my name and my cell. I will be available at all times to address any concerns the public may have,” he said.
Melissa Hartman started with the Sentinel in October 2020 and reports on county, health and transportation matters. A graduate of San Jose State University's Dwight Bentel School of Journalism and Mass Communications, she has been reporting in Northern California since 2017. Melissa is an East Bay Area native and has previously worked at the Los Altos Town Crier and Bay City News Service.
APTOS — The Santa Cruz County Planning Commission during its Wednesday meeting approved a proposal to demolish the current Aptos Branch Library on Soquel Drive and construct a new one.
Second District Representative Allyson Violante, whose constituents will benefit the most from the project, and new commission vice chair Rachel Dann made the motion to move the staff recommendation to determine the proposal was exempt from any further environmental study and make the findings to OK it.
Only one stipulation was added as suggested by new chair Tim Gordin and worded by commission and staff members: That the county review the proposed elevations along Soquel Drive to verify there will be minimal impacts associated with the thermoplastic polyolefin roof material. Thermoplastic polyolefin, or TPO, is a material that traps heat, cooling buildings down and powering facilities with the stored energy, architects explained.
Leading the reconstruction of the second most-used library in the county are Department of Public Works Project Manager Damon Adlao and a team at Anderson Brulé Architects, or ABA. The new library plans involve a facility that is nearly 4,000 square feet larger than the space opened in 1975, according to the agencies’ staff report.
“We are building a library to meet what is a current, future need,” Mark Shoeman of ABA said. “It’s my understanding that this building is overused at this point.”
Currently, the library is designed to fit into the natural environment with composite wood siding. The design team has teamed up with Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries to try to fundraise for the expensive siding option, a campaign with a website that asks donors to “realize the promise” of the facility.
The library will feature bookshelves for children, teens and adults as well as an area to access online materials. More indoor and outdoor square footage will be dedicated to existing and incoming library programming. Outside, children will learn around gardens.
ABA’s renderings allow for 73 parking spaces, with inclusive and electric charging spots, in the adjoining lot. The parking lot would be repaired and slurry sealed, the report adds. Around the property, generous landscaping, improvements to existing curbs, gutters, sidewalks and storm drains on roads the library abuts are written into the plans.
Adlao and the architects have been in talks with neighbors for at least two years, since ABA was awarded the contract to rethink the library in 2020. This was mentioned by Aptos lawyer Bill Parkin, who spoke on behalf of a couple who lives on Arden Way — a road that backs up to the facility. His clients, Debra and Michael Downing, are in favor of the project but through their attorney explained a handful of concerns.
First, they wanted to make sure that oak trees along the fence line stayed in place. Second, they asked that invasive ivy on the fence separating Arden Way from the library be removed due to rats. Third, they checked that no part of the building extends into the designated setback of 20 feet from residents. Fourth, they made sure that the roofing materials selected would not create a glare facing the neighborhood. Finally, they sought mitigation of demolition and construction regarding dust and parking of heavy machinery on their privately maintained road.
“There needs to be an open line of communication,” Parkin concluded.
All of these requests will be accommodated to the fullest extent that crews can, Adlao promised. The oak trees will stay and as much ivy will be pulled as is possible while maintaining the integrity of the fence. While no stipulations will be put on building crews regarding where to park machinery, Adlao said the ask was doable and that building and grading permits required for the project will act as controls in place for effects such as dust.
“I will make sure that a sign is posted that has my name and my cell. I will be available at all times to address any concerns the public may have,” he said.
Melissa Hartman started with the Sentinel in October 2020 and reports on county, health and transportation matters. A graduate of San Jose State University's Dwight Bentel School of Journalism and Mass Communications, she has been reporting in Northern California since 2017. Melissa is an East Bay Area native and has previously worked at the Los Altos Town Crier and Bay City News Service.