Hank Sims / @ 2:34 p.m. / Agendizer

MASS TIMBER! They’re Building Hella Tall Buildings Out of Wood These Days. The Arcata Planning Commission is Going to Watch a Presentation About That Tomorrow, and You Can Watch It Too

The 18-story, 280-foot tall Mjøstårnet building, an all-wooden Norwegian skyscraper built in 2019. Photo: Peter Fiskerstrand, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Have you heard about mass timber? It’s all the rage in international building circles these days! 

Basically, mass timber is about using prefabricated engineered wood products designed to be strong enough to allow for very tall or otherwise massive construction. The advantages? It’s cheap, it’s sturdy, it’s beautiful, it’s extremely friendly to the environment, and construction crews can erect them amazingly quickly. Here, look at this time lapse video of some guys snapping together an 18-story dorm in British Columbia as if it were a Lego set:

California recently update its building code to allow mass timber buildings of up to 18 stories in height. That, plus the excitement around the mass timber revolution, means that we could be seeing some pop up here sooner rather than later.

If you’re interested, you might want to tune in to a presentation Arcata Building Official Joe Bishop will deliver to that city’s Planning Commission Tuesday evening. Bishop will fill in the commission on the ABCs of mass timber — the materials used, the positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions, and its somewhat surprising structural advantages. (It is very resistant to both earthquake and fire.)

Bishop spoke with the Outpost this afternoon, and he said that engineered wood products are not totally foreign to Arcata. For instance, he said, it’s used for some of the beams in the Arcata Pool building. But a full-on mass timber construction hasn’t been possible in California until now.

Bishop’s a fan.

“It has the compression strength of concrete and tensile strength of steel in a sustainable material,” Bishop told the Outpost this afternoon.

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That, plus more deliberation on several topics relating to the city’s general plan update — the community benefits program, inclusionary zoning and commercial mixed-use development — with be at the Arcata Planning Commission’s regular meeting — Tuesday, Oct.10 at 5:30 p.m. at Arcata City Hall (736 F Street). Watch online at this link.

Please find below the full agenda, as summarized and mused upon by the Outpost’s agenda-running robot.


Arcata Planning Commission
Oct. 10, 2023, 5:30 p.m.

1. CALL TO ORDER.

A. Land Acknowledgment


B. Roll Call.


2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS.

3. CONSENT CALENDAR.

A. Minutes of Sep 12, 2023 5:30 PM


4. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR.

5. PUBLIC HEARINGS.

6. BUSINESS ITEMS.

A. 4281 : Receive a Presentation from the Building Official on Building Code and Building Materials

The Planning Commission meeting on October 10, 2023 will include a presentation from the City’s Building Official, Joe Bishop. He will discuss changes to the Building Code, new building materials, and trends in the industry. This presentation is not a decision-making item, but Commissioners can consider how these trends relate to the City’s long-term planning efforts, such as the Gateway Area Plan and Infill Opportunity Zones.

— LoCOBot

… or, as a right-wing radio talk show hosted by Merv "The Beast" Tarkington!

Merv “The Beast” Tarkington: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of The Beast’s Den, your go-to source for conservative talk radio. I’m your host, Merv “The Beast” Tarkington, and today we have a very interesting topic for discussion. We’ll be diving into the recent Planning Commission meeting that took place on October 10, 2023.

Now, the meeting focused on receiving a presentation from the City’s Building Official, Joe Bishop. He provided the Commission with information on changes to the Building Code, new building materials, and industry trends. And let me tell you, folks, this presentation had some alarming points that we just can’t ignore.

First and foremost, let’s talk about this thing called mass timber. Now, you may be wondering what the big deal is, but let me tell you, it’s a clear example of the left’s obsession with radical environmentalism. Mass timber refers to the use of wood as a primary building material in large-scale construction projects. They claim it’s more sustainable and environmentally friendly, blah, blah, blah. But what they fail to mention is the potential risks and dangers associated with it.

Yes, timber may be a renewable resource, but utilizing it at such a large scale can lead to deforestation and the destruction of natural habitats. Not to mention, wood is more prone to fire and structural failures compared to traditional materials. These are real concerns that the Building Code and industry trends should be considering, rather than blindly embracing this so-called “green” alternative.

But, of course, let’s not forget about the broader implications of these changes. The Building Code is a crucial piece of legislation that governs construction standards and safety regulations. Any modifications or additions to it should be thoroughly evaluated and subjected to rigorous scrutiny. We can’t simply allow for radical changes to be made without considering the potential consequences.

Moreover, these industry trends and changes to the Building Code should also be assessed in the context of the City’s long-range planning efforts. The Gateway Area Plan and other Infill Opportunity Zones need to be examined with caution, especially when it comes to the materials used in construction. We must not lose sight of the fact that the safety and well-being of our citizens should always be the top priority.

So there you have it, folks. The Planning Commission meeting presented some concerning information that we need to address. It’s clear that we can’t afford to blindly follow the left’s radical environmentalist agenda. We must prioritize the safety, security, and sustainability of our communities. And that starts with a thorough and objective evaluation of these Building Code changes and industry trends.

Once again, I’m Merv “The Beast” Tarkington, your host for The Beast’s Den. Stay tuned for more conservative talk and insightful discussions. Thank you for joining us today, and remember, let your voice be heard!

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff Report


B. 4282 : Consider a Recommendation to the City Council on the General Plan Updates

The staff report is about a Planning Commission meeting that will take place on October 10, 2023. The report recommends changes to the Community Benefits program, Inclusionary Zoning, and Commercial Mixed-Use policy. The Commission will discuss these recommendations and other topics related to the General Plan 2045 update. The report provides details on each of these topics, including proposed changes and their potential effects. It also includes attachments with additional information.

— LoCOBot

… or, as a high-energy radio advertisement!

Are you looking for a community that values its residents and promotes inclusivity and economic diversity? Look no further than our city, where the Planning Commission is working tirelessly to update the General Plan and enhance the Community Benefits program and Inclusionary Zoning.

Picture this: a future where everyone has access to affordable housing and a thriving community. The Planning Commission is recommending changes to the Community Benefits program, simplifying the points system to prioritize what matters most. They want to hear your opinion, so make sure to rank your top five benefits before the meeting.

But that’s not all! The Commission is also proposing amendments to the Inclusionary Zoning policy to address workforce housing. They want to increase the percentage of inclusionary units while avoiding any interference with the Gateway planning work. It’s a delicate balance, but they have a plan.

With their proposed changes, developers will be required to provide 10% of units to households earning less than 120% of the area median income. Additionally, they’ll have to allocate either 4% to very-low-income households or 6% to low-income households. It’s a win-win for the community and developers alike.

But wait, there’s more! The Commission is also looking to eliminate Commercial General and redesignate those parcels as Commercial Mixed-Use. This decision will trigger other exciting changes that will further enhance our city’s economic landscape.

So join us on October 10, 2023, at the Planning Commission meeting to voice your opinion and be a part of shaping our city’s future. Together, we can create a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone can thrive. Don’t miss out on this opportunity – mark your calendars and be ready to make a difference!

This radio advertisement is brought to you by the Planning Commission and the City of [City Name].

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff ReportA. Benefits Menu_v6B. Table LU-3 amends


7. CORRESPONDENCE/COMMUNICATIONS.

8. ADJOURNMENT.


Lately on LoCO

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