Press release from the League of Women Voters of Humboldt County:

Housing inadequacy is a serious problem in Eureka. The League of Women Voters of Humboldt County has serious concerns over Measure F. While we are a non-partisan organization, supporting neither candidates nor parties, we may advocate on issues which we have studied and reached consensus. Concerning this measure we reference our Housing Positions:

• We support measures to encourage the county and cities to adopt regulations, programs and projects that will increase adequate, safe and sanitary housing stock for all income people.
• We support preparation and implementation of the Housing Element on a timely basis.
• We encourage active and transparent citizen involvement in housing elements revisions.

The City of Eureka planned for adequate low-income units with robust public input in the development of their Housing Element which now is certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as required by law. Measure F would amend the Housing Element, which could leave Eureka short of California’s required number of housing units. This would put Eureka out of compliance with state law which in turn could subject the City of Eureka to litigation on several fronts.

The Overlay Zoning suggested in Measure F may not meet state law for minimum density requirements for low-income housing. In addition, the Jacobs property suggested to provide the required housing belongs to Eureka City Schools and is not under the control of the City of Eureka. Therefore, it cannot necessarily be depended upon to meet State requirements.

Revision and acceptance of a revised Housing Element could take years and have serious ramifications. It could delay housing development, does not guarantee housing will be built at the Jacobs site, puts Eureka at risk of litigation for non-compliance with State Housing Law, and could make project applications subject to the complicated Housing Accountability Act allowing builders to bypass the General Plan and local zoning regulations until a new Housing Element is approved.

Perhaps the most onerous is that if Measure F proves to be troublesome, revision can only be accomplished by another ballot measure to cure any deficiencies or unintended consequences.

Therefore, the League urges a no vote on Measure F.

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PREVIOUSLY:

• Ballot Battles, Lawsuits and a Ticked-Off Millionaire: CalMatters on Eureka’s Parking Lot Wars
• Security National Has Spent $710,645 and Counting on Measure F, the ‘Housing for All’ Initiative
• Eureka City Schools’ Deal With a Mystery Developer for the Jacobs Campus is Dead
• Anonymous AMG Communities Confirms Death of Jacobs Campus Deal, Vows to Try Again After Election Results
• Security National Just Dropped Another $286K Into Measure F, Bringing Its Total Spending to Nearly $1M
• How Will the Collapse of the Jacobs Campus Deal Impact Measure F? It Won’t, Backers Insist.
• What’s Next for the Jacobs Campus? The Eureka City Schools Board of Trustees Will Consider Five Options at Thursday’s Meeting
• Humboldt Progressive Democrats Endorse Candidates in Arcata, Eureka City Council Races, Urge ‘No’ Vote on Measure F
• Measure F Could Wreak Legal and Financial Havoc on Eureka, California Housing Defense Fund Warns
• With $1.15M From Security National, Measure F is Now the Most Expensive Ballot Initiative in Eureka History
• THE ECONEWS REPORT: What If Measure F Passes?
• The Measure F Campaign Called Him a Criminal and a Cheat. He Has a Different Story to Tell.
• GUEST OPINION: It’s Unfair That Media Coverage Doesn’t Note That Measure F Would Easily Solve All of Eureka’s Most Pressing Problems, Including Housing and Parking and the Economy
• State Housing Official Weighs in on Measure F; Security National Dumps Another $363K Into Campaign