A Critical Threat to Our Sandhills Habitat
The Valley Women’s Club of the San Lorenzo Valley is committed to protecting the unique and endangered ecosystems of our region. One of the most urgent threats is the proposed The Haven housing development on Graham Hill Road —a project that would devastate rare Sandhills habitat, strain local water resources, and put pressure on critical infrastructure, including evacuation routes.
Since learning of the proposal, the VWC has been actively monitoring the project, submitting public comments, and working with neighboring communities to inform the general public and local elected officials about its potential impacts. Despite multiple revisions, the project continues to fall short of County standards and fails to address serious concerns raised by environmental experts and community members alike.
Overview of the Haven Project
The Haven development is a 157-unit, large-scale housing project proposed by M. Formico/Haven LLC on 40 acres off Graham Hill Road. The project would significantly alter the landscape, further damage the endangered Sandhills habitat, and overburden local infrastructure.
- Status: As of July 2025, the third application revision has been returned for deficiencies by the County.
- Current Proposal: 157 total units, with only 11 designated for low-income housing.
- Location: Sandhills habitat adjacent to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Despite previously receiving Will-Serve letters from the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) for only four homes, the developer included these in an application for 157 units. The County has now issued a third “Incomplete” letter, citing ongoing non-compliance with environmental and infrastructure requirements, including:
- No completed biotics report
- Inadequate water and wastewater systems
What’s at Stake:
- Over 600 trees would be removed
- Destruction of rare and endangered Sandhills habitat
- Disruption of a crucial wildlife corridor between SLV and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Inadequate water and wastewater infrastructure to support the scale of development
- Increased traffic burden on a key evacuation route for SLV residents
- Reduction in affordable housing units from 34 to only 11
Why the VWC Opposes the Haven Development
The Valley Women’s Club opposes this project for the following reasons:
- Destruction of the endangered Sandhills habitat
- Removal of approximately 600 trees
- Threats to a critical wildlife corridor
- Enormous wastewater infrastructure demands
- Increased traffic on a vital SLV evacuation route
- Inadequate water access and unsustainable service lines
- Minimal return in affordable housing compared to the scale of the project
Project Timeline & Updates
- June 2024: Developer obtains Will-Serve letters for 4 homes
- October 2024: County seeks SLVWD comment on 157-unit proposal
- June 24, 2025: SLVWD enters reimbursement agreement with Formico for water capacity review
- July 17, 2025: SLVWD hears public comment but remains neutral
- June 26, 2025: County issues third “Incomplete” letter to developer
- September 24, 2025: Deadline for developer to respond
Take Action
Looking to connect with others who are concerned about this project? Join the growing community at the Facebook group Stop The Haven Development – Santa Cruz to stay informed, share updates, and organize local action:
We urge you to speak up. Your voice matters.
Let decision-makers know that this destructive project is not welcome in the San Lorenzo Valley. Send written comments to SLVWD and County officials:
Contact SLVWD: Jen Torres
Contact County Supervisors—they may ultimately vote on the project. Ask them to oppose the Haven development:
Please also CC:
- Jonathan DiSalvo (Senior Planner)
- Joe Serrano (LAFCO)
- The Valley Women’s Club (To help track community support)
What is Sandhills Habitat and Why is it Endangered?
Ever wondered what lies at the bottom of an ancient ocean? A quick drive through the San Lorenzo Valley offers a surprising clue!
The Sandhills are a rare ecosystem formed from sand deposited over 15 million years ago when the ocean covered this area. These soils are coarse, nutrient-poor, and still hold marine fossils—a reminder of the valley’s ancient underwater past. Many longtime residents recall childhood adventures searching for shiny shark teeth in the sand.
This habitat is truly one-of-a-kind, hosting plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. Only species uniquely adapted to dry, sandy conditions can thrive here, including shrubby chaparral, towering Ponderosa pines, and a range of rare plants.
You can explore pockets of this special ecosystem at Quail Hollow County Park, or spot stretches of Sandhills along Mt. Hermon Road from Felton to Scotts Valley. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park also features trails winding through this unique landscape—keep an eye out for rare species like the Mount Hermon June Beetle or the Zayante Band-Winged Grasshopper.
Why It’s Endangered
Sandhill habitat is disappearing—fast. Because it exists only in a narrow region of Santa Cruz County, any loss has an outsized impact. Urban development, sand mining, off-trail recreation, and invasive species have already fragmented much of the habitat. Projects like the Haven development threaten to erase even more of this irreplaceable ecosystem. With many of its species already listed as threatened or endangered, preserving what’s left of the Sandhills is critical for biodiversity, climate resilience, and future generations.
