Jacquelyn Opalach / @ 12:12 p.m. / Agendizer

TONIGHT at ARCATA CITY COUNCIL: A Public Hearing on the Gateway Area Plan as it Nears Final Approval

Tonight the Arcata City Council will hold a public hearing and begin final discussions on the Gateway Area Plan, the controversial effort to allow the development of high-density housing in underutilized sites on the west side of town.

Though the Council won’t take action tonight, this will be a first look at the three resolutions and one ordinance that will finalize the Gateway Area Plan and update Arcata’s General Plan. The Council will continue the public hearing at another special meeting June 5th, and will likely vote on these items at a regular meeting on July 17. 

Arcata Community Development Director David Loya told the Outpost that the Council is spreading the discussion and public hearing over multiple meetings due to the scale of the decision. Staff “didn’t want the Council to feel like they have to adopt the plan the first time they saw it,” Loya said. 

The Gateway Area Plan will rezone 139 acres north of Samoa Boulevard and west of K street. At maximum, this will allow the construction of 3,500 residential units in buildings up to seven stories tall. The plan is one element of the General Plan 2045, the City’s main policy document that is updated every 20-or-so years. 

Discussion tonight will be split into two agenda items to accommodate councilmembers Stacy Atkins-Salazar and Alex Stillman, who have recused themselves from Gateway Area-related discussion due to conflicts of interest. 

First, unconflicted council members will discuss three elements: a resolution certifying the final environmental impact report (EIR) for the General Plan; a resolution to adopt the Gateway Area Plan, which would add it to the General Plan; and an ordinance to adopt the Gateway Code, which would rezone the Gateway Area to allow high density residential and mixed-use development. 

In a separate item, the council in its entirety will discuss a resolution to adopt the General Plan 2045 comprehensive update. 

The Final EIR, a report required for large-scale development projects under the California Environmental Quality Act, must be certified before the council can take action on other items related to the General Plan and Gateway Area Plan. Since the EIR found “environmental impacts that cannot be mitigated to a level below significance,” the Council will consider a Statement of Overriding Considerations, which identifies how social benefits outweigh environmental costs of the projects. It’ll also look at a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program to keep tabs on those environmental impacts. 

Two weeks ago, the Arcata Planning Commission recommended certification of the EIR and adoption of the 2045 General Plan and Gateway Code. The few upcoming City Council meetings are the final step to approving the plan for good. 

In the only other agenda item, the Council will consider authorizing a funding application for an affordable housing development on Old Arcata Road, which would be built by Danco Communities. 

The City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. tonight in Arcata City Hall at 736 F Street. Find instructions for remote viewing here, and see the full agenda below.


Arcata City Council
May 29, 2024, 5:30 p.m.

1. CALL TO ORDER

A. Roll Call


2. PUBLIC COMMENT

3. OLD BUSINESS

A. 4433 : Consider Approval of the Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Code, and the Program Environmental Impact Report.

The City Council is considering approving the Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Code, and Environmental Impact Report. The plan includes adding new elements to the General Plan and adopting a Form-Based Code. The Council must certify the Environmental Impact Report before taking action on the plan and code. The process has been divided due to conflicts of interest with two Councilmembers. The Planning Commission has recommended approval of the plan and code, with changes reflected in the latest versions. Further actions to implement the plan will be taken in the coming months and years. The decision will update the city’s main policy document for the next 20 years and has undergone extensive public engagement and review. The Environmental Impact Report must be certified before final action is taken.

— LoCOBot

… or, as an insane conspiracy theory!

Conspiracy Theory: The Gateway Area Plan and Gateway Code are actually part of a secret government project to create a simulated reality within the city of Arcata. The City Council is being pressured to approve these plans in order to control and manipulate the population through advanced technology and mind control tactics. The conflicts of interest with the two recused Councilmembers are actually a cover-up for their involvement in developing this sinister project. The $25,000 over budget is being used to fund the construction of hidden surveillance systems and experimental technology that will monitor and influence the thoughts and actions of the citizens of Arcata. This simulated reality will serve as a testing ground for a larger scale plan to control the entire population of the country. The public engagement and outreach efforts are merely a facade to make it seem like this is a legitimate urban development project, when in reality, it is a highly unethical and dangerous experiment on human behavior. The Gateway Area Plan and Gateway Code are just the beginning of a dystopian future where freedom and individuality are nothing but illusions.

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff ReportA. Res. No. 234-47 EIRB. Res. No. 234-48 Gateway PlanC. Ord. No. 1569 Gateway Code


B. 4438 : Consider Adoption of the General Plan Comprehensive Update with the Exception of the Gateway Area Plan.

The City Council is considering updating the General Plan for the city, except for the Gateway Area Plan. They have been working on this update for several years and must first certify an Environmental Impact Report. Two Councilmembers have recused themselves from discussions on the Gateway Area Plan due to conflicts of interest. The Planning Commission has recommended approval of the new General Plan, and the Council should consider adopting it. There will be follow-up actions to implement the General Plan, including zoning changes and new codes. The Council must continue the public hearing to finalize the adoption of the General Plan. Adoption of the General Plan will update the city’s policy document for the next 20 years. The project is slightly over budget due to unexpected changes and public comments.

— LoCOBot

… or, as a Dungeons & Dragons campaign!

The council’s decision to adopt the General Plan comprehensive update has caused an uproar in the city of Arcata. Many citizens believe that the Gateway Area Plan, which was excluded from the update, is crucial for the city’s development and should not have been left out. Rumors spread about a mysterious force influencing the council’s decision, and suspicion falls on a group of powerful wizards who reside in the Gateway Area.

As adventurers in the realm, your party is hired by a group of concerned citizens to investigate the council’s decision and uncover any foul play. As you delve deeper into the city’s politics, you discover a secret underground network of tunnels that lead to the lair of the wizards. It becomes clear that these wizards have been using their magic to manipulate the council and ensure that the Gateway Area Plan is never implemented.

Your party must navigate through the treacherous tunnels, facing off against magical traps and powerful creatures summoned by the wizards. Along the way, you gather evidence of their corruption and uncover their true motives. It is revealed that the wizards have been seeking to control the city’s development for their own gain, using their magic to bend the will of the council to their whims.

As you confront the wizards in their lair, a fierce battle ensues. The fate of Arcata hangs in the balance as you fight to defeat the corrupt spellcasters and restore the balance of power in the city. With the wizards defeated and the evidence of their wrongdoing in hand, you present your findings to the council, forcing them to reconsider their decision and include the Gateway Area Plan in the General Plan update.

The citizens of Arcata rejoice as the Gateway Area Plan is finally adopted, bringing new opportunities for growth and prosperity to the city. Your party is hailed as heroes, their names forever etched in the annals of Arcata’s history. As you set off on your next adventure, the city’s future looks brighter than ever thanks to your bravery and tenacity.

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff ReportA. Res. No. 234-49 General Plan


4. NEW BUSINESS

A. 4439 : Consider Authorizing an Application to the Competitive Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program for Funding for an Affordable Housing Project at 1622 Old Arcata Road.

The City Council is considering authorizing an application for funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development for an affordable housing project at 1622 Old Arcata Road. The project, called Valley View Commons, is being developed by Danco Communities and would provide affordable housing for low-income households. The funding would come from the Competitive Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program. If approved, the project will need to comply with affordability requirements for households at or below 60% of the area median income. The Council must approve an Authorizing Resolution at their next meeting to meet the application deadline. There are no direct environmental impacts from the loan, but any future actions will be evaluated for compliance with environmental regulations. The application will be completed by Danco Communities with minimal administrative burden on City Staff.

— LoCOBot

… or, as a Socratic dialogue!

Socrates: Good day, my fellow citizens. Today, we are gathered to discuss a very important matter regarding the development of affordable housing in our city.

Glaucon: Indeed, Socrates. It seems that the City of Arcata is considering authorizing an application to the Competitive Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program for funding for an affordable housing project at 1622 Old Arcata Road.

Socrates: Yes, that is correct. The project, known as Valley View Commons, is proposed by Danco Communities and seeks funding for development from the CPLHA. It is crucial for the City to support such initiatives to increase the supply of affordable homes in our community.

Glaucon: It is commendable that Danco Communities have taken the initiative to develop this project. It is essential for our city to provide affordable housing for those in need. However, I wonder about the funding aspect of this project. How will the CPLHA funding be utilized?

Socrates: According to the staff report, the CPLHA funding will be used for the development of new multifamily rental housing that is affordable to households at or below 60% of the area median income. This aligns with the goal of providing affordable housing for those in need within our community.

Glaucon: That is reassuring to hear. It is important that the funding is allocated towards serving those who are in need of affordable housing. I am also curious about the timeline for this project. When must the application for CPLHA funding be submitted?

Socrates: The application must be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development by June 6, 2024. In order to meet this deadline, the City Council must approve the template Authorizing Resolution 234-56 at its next regular meeting on June 5, 2024.

Glaucon: It seems that time is of the essence in moving forward with this project. It is vital that the City Council supports this initiative to ensure that affordable housing is developed in our community. I believe that this project aligns with the values of our city and will benefit those who are in need of affordable housing.

Socrates: I agree, Glaucon. It is important for us to support initiatives that aim to provide affordable housing for our community members. Let us deliberate further on this matter and consider the implications of authorizing the application to the CPLHA for funding for the Valley View Commons project.

Glaucon: Indeed, Socrates. Let us continue our discussion and work towards the betterment of our community through the development of affordable housing.

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff ReportA. Resolution 234-56


5. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

A. Confirm the June 12, 2024, Special City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber to Discuss and Adopt the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget.


6. ADJOURNMENT


Lately on LoCO

© 2024 Lost Coast Communications Contact: news@lostcoastoutpost.com.