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After years of working and reworking its design plans, We Are Up’s McKinleyville housing development for seniors and adults with disabilities is finally moving forward.

At last night’s meeting, the Humboldt County Planning Commission unanimously approved permits for the long-awaited project, slated for a 17.4-acre property on the east side of Central Avenue, near the McKinleyville Grocery Outlet. 

The development includes 70 apartments — a mix of studios, one, two- and three-bedroom — for up to 120 residents. Design plans also include a four-story community center, which will host 40 units on its upper three floors, along with a greenhouse, barn, garden space, orchard, walking trails and event space for residents and guests. The remaining residential units will be spread across two-story apartment buildings and attached cottages. 

The planning commission first approved permits for the project, submitted by We Are Up, a local nonprofit that aims to redefine care for aging and developmentally disabled adults, in July 2023, but it was appealed to the Board of Supervisors just two months later over noise and traffic concerns. 

We Are Up withdrew its proposal and bought three more parcels along Central Avenue to increase the number of units from 50 to 70 and provide more space between the community center and the neighborhood on the north side of the project. The architect, Kash Boodjeh, also moved the main entrance of the community center from Weirup Lane to Central Avenue to reduce traffic impacts. 

Speaking at last night’s meeting, We Are Up’s Board President Mary Keehn, founder of Cypress Grove, said the project will provide “an ecosystem of care” for its residents and their families.

“For those of you who have not walked the site, it’s almost a magical setting,” Keehn said, adding that the project is centrally located with access to grocery stores and health care facilities. “When you look at the beautiful open field … you immediately feel grounded in nature, and surrounded by the peace that nature brings. … It’s a place where families will know their loved ones are safe, even if they’re not in the care of their homes.”

The dozen-odd residents who spoke during the public comment section of the meeting all spoke in favor of the project, underscoring the importance of creating supportive housing for vulnerable community members. 

“I think this project has all kinds of attributes,” said Wesley Chesbro, former state senator and current McKinleyville resident. “I have worked on … funding and development of housing for persons with disabilities elsewhere in the state, and I’m very aware of the importance of providing that kind of housing. The greatest limitation on people with any disability is society’s inability to see their capability and their potential. It’s not the disability itself; it’s the limitations and the lack of support that they need to fully live a full life, and this housing project is an example of offering those kinds of opportunities.”

Commissioners went over some of the finer points of the project. Commission Chair Iver Skavdal said he was somewhat concerned about building height and whether the fire department would be able to get through the gate on Weirup Lane in the event of an emergency.

Planning and Building Director John Ford said the project proposal was shared with the Arcata Fire Protection District, which serves the McKinleyville area, but said his office didn’t receive any negative feedback on its entrance points or the building height. Ford added that the buildings will be “heavily sprinkled” to address any potential fire concerns. 

Commissioners Noah Levy and Sarah West both said they have been in favor of the project since it was first approved by the commission in 2023. “But you listened to the neighborhood and brought us back an even better project, which I commend you for,” Levy said. 

Commissioner Lorna McFarlane made a motion to approve a conditional use permit, planned unit development permit, special permit and lot line adjustment for the project. She requested a “minor amendment,” and asked if staff would be willing to take another look at the proposed traffic signal upgrade at Central Avenue and School Road, and consider putting a roundabout there instead. Ford noted that a roundabout probably wouldn’t fit into the area, but said staff would be willing to look into it. 

After a bit of additional discussion, the commission voted 6-0, with Commissioner Thomas Mulder absent, to approve the project permits.

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