LoCOBot / Friday, May 8 @ 11:05 a.m. / Agendizer
Arcata Planning Commission
May 12, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
a. Land Acknowledgement
a. Roll Call
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of April 28, 2026
4. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Adopt Resolution PC-26-03 for Whaley House Proposed Rehabilitation and Lot Split at 1395 H Street, Arcata; File No. 256-016-PM-PDP
The document is a report recommending the approval of a project to subdivide a historic property known as the Whaley House to facilitate its rehabilitation. The project involves splitting the property into two lots, selling one of them to fund repairs to the house, and creating a Planned Development overlay zone to allow for flexibility in development standards. The report discusses the benefits of the project, including historic preservation and infill housing development. The Planning Commission is being asked to provide a recommendation to the City Council to approve the project. Environmental review has determined that the project qualifies for exemptions under the California Environmental Quality Act. The report provides a detailed analysis of the project’s background, discussion points, policy implications, and committee reviews.
— LoCOBot
Title: Love and Preservation at The Whaley House
In the quaint town of Arcata, nestled among the historic buildings and tree-lined streets, stands The Whaley House, a beloved local landmark with a rich history dating back to the settlement era. But behind the faded paint and weathered wood, a love story is waiting to be told.
Meet Sophia Thonson, the youngest daughter of the current owners of The Whaley House. As a passionate preservationist and history enthusiast, Sophia has always felt a deep connection to the old house and its stories. Growing up surrounded by the whispers of the past, she dreams of one day restoring The Whaley House to its former glory and sharing its beauty with the world.
Enter Alex Bennett, a charming and ambitious architect who has been hired to oversee the rehabilitation and lot split of The Whaley House. Drawn to the historic charm of the building and intrigued by Sophia’s passion for preservation, Alex finds himself falling for the spirited young woman who seems to carry the weight of the house’s history on her shoulders.
As they work together to navigate the complexities of the planning commission and city council, Sophia and Alex form a deep bond forged by their shared love for The Whaley House and their desire to see it thrive once more. But as they uncover secrets buried in the walls of the old house, they realize that their connection goes beyond just the preservation of a building - it’s about preserving their own hearts as well.
Can Sophia and Alex overcome the obstacles standing in their way and find a way to save The Whaley House and their budding romance? Or will external forces and internal doubts tear them apart before they have a chance to discover the true meaning of love and preservation?
Join Sophia and Alex on a journey of love, history, and redemption as they fight to protect The Whaley House and their own hearts in this captivating romance novel set against the backdrop of a town steeped in history and charm.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment A. Resolution No. PC-26-03.pdf • Attachment B. Historic Resource Report.pdf • Attachment C. Ordinance 950.pdf • Attachment D. National Register Application.pdf
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
a. Consider Recommendations for Amendments to the Land Use Code Consistent With General Plan 2045
The Planning Commission will be discussing updates to the city’s zoning ordinance to align it with the General Plan 2045. They will review recommendations for amendments proposed by a consultant and consider public input. The Commission will prepare for a joint study session with the City Council on June 8. Staff have been working on updating the Land Use Code with input from stakeholders. The Commission should approach the review from a policy and technical perspective and come prepared with their own topic areas of interest or concern. The Council will consider the Commission’s perspectives before the study session.
— LoCOBot
Recipe Title: City Zoning Code Amendment Discussion
Ingredients:
- Staff report
- Public comments
- Amendments proposed by City consultant
- General Plan 2045
- Land Use Code
- Gateway Code
- HUD PRO Housing Grant
- Lisa Wise Consulting recommendations
- Stakeholder input
Instructions:
1. Prepare the staff report by Director of Community Development, David Loya.
2. Date the report May 12, 2026.
3. Discuss recommendations for amendments to the Land Use Code consistent with General Plan 2045.
4. Consider public comments and input from stakeholders.
5. Review amendments proposed by the City’s consultant to update the zoning ordinance.
6. Note that the Land Use Code was last comprehensively updated in 2008 and the Gateway Code was adopted in 2024.
7. Mention that a HUD PRO Housing Grant was awarded to update the zoning ordinance in line with the General Plan.
8. Emphasize the opportunity to modernize the zoning code based on current planning best practices.
9. Arrange for a joint study session with the Council on June 8, 2026.
10. Present recommendations and input from stakeholders to initiate a conversation on code amendments.
11. Prepare Commissioners for the joint study session by discussing proposed updates and topic areas of interest.
12. Approach the review from both policy and technical perspectives.
13. Seek input from Commissioners and bring the item to their regularly scheduled meeting on May 26, 2026.
14. Allow the Council to consider Commission deliberations and perspectives before the June 8 Study Session.
15. Attachments include recommendations for code amendments, background details on code amendments, and stakeholder input.
Enjoy the fruitful discussion on updating the City’s zoning ordinance!
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment A - Recommendations for Code Amendments.pdf • Attachment B - Background and Detail on Code Amendments.pdf • Attachment C - Stakeholder Input on Code Amendments.pdf
7. CORRESPONDENCE/COMMUNICATIONS
8. ADJOURNMENT
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