Stephanie McGeary / Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 @ 3:42 p.m. / Agendizer
Let’s Take A Break From the Gateway Area Plan, Yeah? Arcata City Council and Planning Commision Will Discuss Some Other Important Elements of the City’s General Plan Tonight
Arcata City Hall will be a full house tonight, with another City Council/ Planning Commission study session | File photo: Stephanie McGeary.
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With all of the recent focus on the controversial Gateway Area Plan, the Arcata City Council hasn’t had much time to focus on the other sections of the City’s “General Plan 2045,” the huge document that will guide how the city will look and function for about the next 20 years. During tonight’s Arcata City Council/ Planning Commission joint study session, the conversation will focus on three other sections of the plan – the Growth Management Element, the Land Use Element and the Health Element.
The Growth Management Element of the General Plan sets parameters under which future development may occur, such as where new developments can go. This is a very important aspect of the plan to discuss, as Arcata’s population continues to grow (as of 2020, Arcata’s population was estimated to be about 18,600, and the 2020 General Plan estimates about a 1% increase in Arcata’s population each year). The 2020 plan already established some relevant growth management policies, including focus on infill development – meaning that the City wants most new developments to be on vacant or underutilized land in already developed areas of the City.
The Land Use Element ties into growth management, by establishing what types of developments can be built in specific areas of the City. This includes building uses – housing, businesses, industrial – and building aesthetics, such as how tall the buildings can be. You’ve likely heard discussions about this aspect of the plan during Gateway Plan discussions, when the city has been establishing new land use codes to accommodate growth in that area of town. The Gateway Area is one of four “opportunity areas” the City identified as ideal places for infill development, including Valley West, Downtown and the Craftsman’s Mall site.
David Loya, community development director for the City of Arcata, told the Outpost tha the council members and commissioners may discuss any aspects of the General Plan that they wish to during tonight’s study session, but that staff wants them to pay special attention to the growth management and land use elements, as they will have the “most direct impact on growth and development in the City” over the plan period.
The other aspect of the plan the commission and council will discuss is the Health Element, which is a new section being added to the General Plan 2045. The document, which Loya said was created with partner NorCal 4 Health, establishes guidelines for ensuring physical, mental and social health for Arcata residents by supporting programs that promote healthy eating and exercise, increasing opportunities for social engagement, eliminating barriers to healthcare and more.
The staff report also notes that, “While a racial equity lens was brought to the entire General Plan, the Health Element includes policy that was specifically designed with social justice and racial equity in mind.”
Following the General Plan discussion, the council will also vote to authorize an application for a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant. If approved, Arcata could be awarded between $1 million to $10 million to fund projects that remove barriers to affordable housing, including zoning and land use policies, lack of neighborhood amenities, deteriorating or inadequate infrastructure and more.
So there you have it. These are the topics the council and commission will be looking over tonight. And because tonight’s study session does not include any specific Gateway Plan discussions, that means Councilmembers Alex Stillman and Stacy Atkins-Salzar, who have had to recuse themselves from all gateway discussions because they both own property within 100 feet of the Gateway Area, will actually be able to participate in the discussion!
The Arcata City Council/ Planning Commission joint study session will be held tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 24) at 6 p.m. at Arcata City Hall – 736 F Street. Click here for the full agenda and directions on how to participate, or scroll down for more from our AgendaBot.
Arcata City Council
Oct. 24, 2023, 6 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
1. Roll Call
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
3. OLD BUSINESS
A. 4289 : Consider the Planning Commission's Recommendation on the General Plan 2045.
The director of community development is recommending that the city council consider recommendations from the planning commission about the General Plan for the year 2045. The planning commission reviewed the draft plan and received input from the public and committees. The council and commission should discuss elements of the plan that are important, especially those related to growth, land use, and health, which will have a big impact on development and social justice. The city has done a lot of outreach and engagement with the community throughout the drafting process. They have also focused on racial equity and social justice by contracting with Equity Partners for a focus group. The elements of the plan can be found online for further review. Councilmembers and commissioners are encouraged to have discussions about the plan.
— LoCOBot
… or, as an episode of Scooby Doo!
“THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED GENERAL PLAN”
INT. CITY COUNCIL MEETING ROOM - DAY
The Mayor and City Council Members gather for an important meeting. David Loya, the Director of Community Development, presents his staff report on the General Plan 2045. He recommends that the Council consider the Planning Commission’s recommendations on the General Plan through a facilitated discussion.
INT. MYSTERY MACHINE - DAY
Scooby-Doo and the gang, including Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy, are driving in the Mystery Machine when they hear about the City Council meeting on the radio.
FRED
Hey gang, did you hear about the City Council meeting? It seems like there’s a mystery surrounding the General Plan 2045.
DAPHNE
I heard they’re discussing growth management, land use, and a new health element. It must be important for the city’s development.
VELMA
And they mentioned social justice and racial equity. It seems like this General Plan is addressing some important issues.
SHAGGY
Like, let’s check it out, man! We might stumble upon some spooky secrets.
INT. CITY COUNCIL MEETING ROOM - DAY
The gang arrives at the City Council meeting and takes a seat among the audience. The discussion begins with David Loya presenting the background information on the General Plan 2045, including the extensive community engagement and the focus on racial equity and social justice.
SCOOBY-DOO
Racial equity and social justice? Those are important matters, but it sounds like there might be something mysterious going on.
FRED
You’re right, Scooby. Let’s keep our eyes and ears open for any clues.
The discussion moves on to the Land Use and Growth Management Elements, which are said to have a significant impact on the city’s growth and development patterns.
VELMA
These elements might hold a clue to the mystery. If there’s something hidden within them, we have to find it.
DAPHNE
And don’t forget about the new Health Element. It’s designed with social justice and racial equity in mind. It could lead us closer to uncovering what’s really happening here.
INT. CITY HALL CORRIDOR - DAY
During a break in the discussion, the gang explores the City Hall corridor. There, they stumble upon a locked door with a sign that reads “General Plan Archive.”
SHAGGY
Jinkies! What do you think is in here?
VELMA
Let’s find out. Maybe there’s some important information that hasn’t been shared with the public.
INT. GENERAL PLAN ARCHIVE - DAY
The gang enters the General Plan Archive and starts searching for clues. They find old documents, maps, and blueprints related to the city’s development plans.
DAPHNE
Look at this blueprint. It shows a different vision for the city’s growth than what’s being discussed.
FRED
And this document seems to indicate that some key voices from marginalized communities were left out of the engagement process.
VELMA
There’s definitely something fishy going on here. We need to bring this evidence to the Council and Commission.
INT. CITY COUNCIL MEETING ROOM - DAY
The gang rushes back to the City Council meeting, bursting through the doors with their evidence.
FRED
Mayor and Council Members, we’ve uncovered some crucial information about the General Plan!
The Mayor pauses the meeting, allowing the gang to explain their findings. The evidence points to potential discrepancies and lack of inclusivity in the planning process.
DAVID LOYA
This is alarming. We need to address these concerns and ensure that the General Plan truly represents the needs of all community members.
SCOOBY-DOO
Ruh-roh, looks like we’ve uncovered something big!
The Mayor and City Council Members agree to reevaluate the General Plan, taking into account the new evidence brought forth by Scooby-Doo and the gang.
DAPHNE
Mystery solved! We’ve exposed the hidden secrets behind the General Plan.
VELMA
And now, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable future for the city.
The gang celebrates their success, knowing that they’ve made a difference in shaping the city’s development plans.
FADE OUT.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. 4288 : Adopt Resolution No. 234-14 Authorizing an Application for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant.
The City Council is considering applying for a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program. This grant aims to help communities remove barriers to affordable housing and increase housing production. The City of Arcata is eligible to apply for this grant, which could provide funding for updating the city’s zoning ordinance, creating an Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance, and developing design standards for certain areas. The grant application has been made available to the public for comment, and if awarded, the city will conduct an environmental review. The grant request is for $1,323,967.
— LoCOBot
… or, as a Bruce Springsteen song!
(Verse 1)
In a city council meeting, they gather ‘round
To discuss a resolution, in this small town
The Director of Community Development speaks
About a grant for housing, that the city seeks
(Chorus)
Oh, we’re reaching for a brighter day
With the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant
We’ll tear down the walls, and pave the way
For affordable homes, where families can plant
(Verse 2)
They talk about the purpose, of this grant from HUD
To empower the community, remove barriers to good
Zoning decisions, inefficient procedures too
They need the funding, to make these changes come true
(Chorus)
Oh, we’re reaching for a brighter day
With the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant
We’ll tear down the walls, and pave the way
For affordable homes, where families can plant
(Bridge)
The Land Use Code they have now, it needs to be updated
To align with the General Plan, and keep the progress stated
Accessory Dwelling Units, a source of hope and more
They need a clear ordinance, compliant with the state law
(Verse 3)
The Infill Opportunity Zones, they cannot be ignored
They need specific design standards, so housing can be restored
Form-based codes can regulate, despite the changes in law
Valley West and Downtown, let’s give them what they saw
(Chorus)
Oh, we’re reaching for a brighter day
With the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant
We’ll tear down the walls, and pave the way
For affordable homes, where families can plant
(Outro)
Before submitting the application, it’s time for public comment
And with outreach to the Spanish speakers, let’s not omit
Environmental review will be conducted if they win
But they believe the impact will conform to what’s within
(Chorus)
Oh, we’re reaching for a brighter day
With the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant
We’ll tear down the walls, and pave the way
For affordable homes, where families can plant
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • A. Resolution No. 234-14 • B. PRO Housing Summary Sheet
5. ADJOURNMENT
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