Breaking the Mold in California Housing – A Conversation with Lee Butler, Director of Planning & Community Development for the City of Santa Cruz
Professional Platform
This episode of Takis Talk delivers a compelling interview with Lee Butler, Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Santa Cruz—a pivotal figure propelling one of California’s most dramatic housing turnarounds. Immerse yourself as our host Butler in a vibrant, candid conversation about the tough realities, surprising wins, and visionary leadership shaping one of the nation’s least affordable yet most innovative coastal cities.
About the Guest: Lee Butler
Lee Butler’s background is woven with decades of experience in planning and urban development, with a particular passion for the Santa Cruz community he calls home. His approach balances pragmatic policy-making, hands-on project management, and environmental stewardship, informed by a diverse professional trajectory that includes work in Silicon Valley and academic training in environmental sciences. Butler’s pragmatic yet caring philosophy shapes housing initiatives, revitalizes downtown, and weaves environmental priorities throughout the city’s dynamic growth.
Santa Cruz: A City Breaking the Mold
This episode dives into how Santa Cruz—once the least affordable city in America—became one of the rare California jurisdictions to meet all state-mandated housing targets, including very low and low-income categories under the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) program. Butler reveals the nuts and bolts behind these achievements, from creative public-private partnerships and leveraging city-owned land to supporting nonprofit developers and securing federal, state, and private grants. Listeners get exclusive insights into the South of Laurel area plan, connecting downtown to the beach through mixed-use, walkable urban expansion reminiscent of the much-loved Santana Row, along with projects that deliver affordable units, new hotels, and vital infrastructure for business and tourism.
The Many Layers of Local Leadership
The episode pulls back the curtain on the intricate dance of city management, where Butler juggles local residents, university growth, shocked tourists, and the demands of environmental conservation. Greg’s lively style teases out candid observations about tough trade-offs—why downtown building heights landed at 85 feet, how affordable and market-rate units are interwoven through innovative inclusionary ordinances, and the hidden impacts of short-term rentals and Coastal Commission oversight. Listeners will learn about infill development’s power and why Santa Cruz won’t expand outward, thus preserving open space while growing upward in sustainable, inclusive ways.
The Human Element: Surf, Food, and Family
It’s not just about policies and programs. Butler shares glimpses into his daily life, from the challenge of turning off work emails, to family surf sessions on the world-famous Steamer Lane, and cherished moments at eclectic Santa Cruz restaurants like Bad Animal Bookstore and Bantam. The interview brims with the energy of a city that balances economic dynamism, creative placemaking, and lively community spirit the kind that keeps locals, students, and visitors coming back.
Key Takeaways for City Leaders and Citizens
Takis Talk listeners will walk away with battle-tested strategies for tackling housing crises, managing urban growth, and integrating environmental priorities. Butler’s story is both an inspiration and practical playbook for anyone—from planners and developers to city officials and engaged citizens—striving to build resilient, equitable, and livable communities. The episode emphasizes the “all of the above” approach to solving housing shortages: supporting ADUs, duplexes, townhouses, and the right policies for market rate and deeply affordable units. Greg’s questions—sometimes playful, sometimes pointed—draw out the complexity and humanity behind city-building, maki
This episode of Takis Talk delivers a compelling interview with Lee Butler, Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Santa Cruz—a pivotal figure propelling one of California’s most dramatic housing turnarounds. Immerse yourself as our host Butler in a vibrant, candid conversation about the tough realities, surprising wins, and visionary leadership shaping one of the nation’s least affordable yet most innovative coastal cities.
About the Guest: Lee Butler
Lee Butler’s background is woven with decades of experience in planning and urban development, with a particular passion for the Santa Cruz community he calls home. His approach balances pragmatic policy-making, hands-on project management, and environmental stewardship, informed by a diverse professional trajectory that includes work in Silicon Valley and academic training in environmental sciences. Butler’s pragmatic yet caring philosophy shapes housing initiatives, revitalizes downtown, and weaves environmental priorities throughout the city’s dynamic growth.
Santa Cruz: A City Breaking the Mold
This episode dives into how Santa Cruz—once the least affordable city in America—became one of the rare California jurisdictions to meet all state-mandated housing targets, including very low and low-income categories under the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) program. Butler reveals the nuts and bolts behind these achievements, from creative public-private partnerships and leveraging city-owned land to supporting nonprofit developers and securing federal, state, and private grants. Listeners get exclusive insights into the South of Laurel area plan, connecting downtown to the beach through mixed-use, walkable urban expansion reminiscent of the much-loved Santana Row, along with projects that deliver affordable units, new hotels, and vital infrastructure for business and tourism.
The Many Layers of Local Leadership
The episode pulls back the curtain on the intricate dance of city management, where Butler juggles local residents, university growth, shocked tourists, and the demands of environmental conservation. Greg’s lively style teases out candid observations about tough trade-offs—why downtown building heights landed at 85 feet, how affordable and market-rate units are interwoven through innovative inclusionary ordinances, and the hidden impacts of short-term rentals and Coastal Commission oversight. Listeners will learn about infill development’s power and why Santa Cruz won’t expand outward, thus preserving open space while growing upward in sustainable, inclusive ways.
The Human Element: Surf, Food, and Family
It’s not just about policies and programs. Butler shares glimpses into his daily life, from the challenge of turning off work emails, to family surf sessions on the world-famous Steamer Lane, and cherished moments at eclectic Santa Cruz restaurants like Bad Animal Bookstore and Bantam. The interview brims with the energy of a city that balances economic dynamism, creative placemaking, and lively community spirit the kind that keeps locals, students, and visitors coming back.
Key Takeaways for City Leaders and Citizens
Takis Talk listeners will walk away with battle-tested strategies for tackling housing crises, managing urban growth, and integrating environmental priorities. Butler’s story is both an inspiration and practical playbook for anyone—from planners and developers to city officials and engaged citizens—striving to build resilient, equitable, and livable communities. The episode emphasizes the “all of the above” approach to solving housing shortages: supporting ADUs, duplexes, townhouses, and the right policies for market rate and deeply affordable units. Greg’s questions—sometimes playful, sometimes pointed—draw out the complexity and humanity behind city-building, making the policy discussions both accessible and personal.
Why This Episode Matters
Whether you’re a housing advocate, city manager, planner, neighborhood preservation specialist, or simply interested in how real progress is forged in California’s urban centers, this 60 minute episode offers practical lessons and honest reflections on what it takes to create change. Tune in to discover why Santa Cruz is being called the state’s hottest housing success story and how thoughtful, inclusive planning can transform cities everywhere.
This Takis Talk episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of local government, urban planning, and equitable, livable places—delivering real solutions for real people, straight from a leader who’s turning vision into reality.