Dezmond Remington / Today @ 12:39 p.m. / Agendizer
Will the Proposed Arcata Contrast Therapy Facility on South G Burn Wood? Or Will It be Forced to Spurn It For Good?
40 South G Street in Arcata, where the facility may one day be established. Submitted photo.
PREVIOUSLY
- Arcata Wood-Heated Sauna Proposal Not Quite Shot Down in Flames by Planning Commission
- Despite Wood-Burning Appliance Ban, an Arcata Entrepreneur Hopes the City Will Give Him a Break on Wood-Fired Sauna Facility
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Sauna entrepreneur Zachary Vondrak is, once again, getting his time to burn bright at tomorrow’s Arcata Planning Commission meeting: will his proposed contrast therapy facility, which he wants to heat with powerful wood-burning stoves, be given the go-ahead? Or will he be iced out?
Vondrak first pitched the idea to the commission back in early June, but its development hit some early snags. Though the commissioners have said they’re fine with the rest of his plans — manufacturing saunas to-order in the back, operating several ice baths and saunas for much of the day — installing new wood-burning stoves is illegal in Arcata. It runs counter to its General Plan, which was updated a few years ago to ban the appliances because of the large amounts of particulate matter burning wood emits. But Vondrak’s preferred stoves, the Kumma BluFlame, is, supposedly, a cleaner-burning “gasification” system that may put out less of the stuff. The commissioners were skeptical, but intrigued enough that they decided they’d need some time to study up on the stoves, and to let Vondrak do some research to prove his claims.
The commissioners will probably make their final decision at the meeting Tuesday evening. At least one, longtime woodstove critic Peter Lehman, will almost certainly vote to deny Vondrak the permit. Though he says he thinks the rest of the project would be a boon for the city, Lehman filed an open letter to his colleagues last week reiterating his opposition to wood burning because of its toxicity and the already high level of particulate matter around Humboldt Bay.
“Once again, I support this business proposal and think it will be a valuable addition to our community,” Lehman wrote. “But I strongly oppose the use of wood heat and suggest we make the use of natural gas (or propane) a condition for approval. Our citizens — especially vulnerable older people, kids, and people with asthma — will thank us.”
Although the rule prohibiting wood burning seems ironclad, it might be permeable. There’s some wiggle room in the General Plan, centered around if the sauna stove is an “appliance” or if it should count as a “wood stove.” The biggest detriment to the city’s air quality was from residential wood stoves, which is what the updated plan was designed to limit. Commercial appliances weren’t mentioned. Which category should the sauna stoves fit into?
The commission’s decision will have wide-reaching ramifications. If the General Plan is interpreted and applied narrowly here, it won’t leave much leeway for anyone to use new wood-fired devices; if not, any commercial enterprise might be able to.
Lehman doesn’t think there’s a difference. “This is a meaningless distinction,” he wrote. “Whether it’s an ‘appliance’ or a wood stove is irrelevant; it burns wood to produce heat and in doing so produces pollution.”
An analysis of the BluFlame’s soot production, provided by Vondrak, claims that the stove only puts out 1.2 pounds of soot for every 3,000 pounds of seasoned Douglas burned. A traditional sauna stove emits 15, according to the analysis. It also claimed a similar furnace produced by Kumma is EPA-certified. City staff noted that they didn’t verify the claims.
Vondrak yearns to burn wood. In the past, he’s told the Outpost that wood-fired saunas have a superior atmosphere to electric- or gas-heated saunas, though if necessary, he’d consider using those. But he’s also considered founding the business in McKinleyville or Bayside if he’s shot down.
The commission will meet tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at 736 F Street.
Arcata Planning Commission
Aug. 11, 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 July 28, 2026
4. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Approve a Minor Use Permit for Contrast Therapy and Sauna Manufacturing at 40 South G Street; File No. 256-028-MUP – CEQA Exempt
The Planning Commission is being asked to approve a Minor Use Permit for a contrast therapy and sauna manufacturing business at a specific location. The project involves a contrast therapy facility and a sauna manufacturing operation. The staff recommends approving the permit with certain conditions and approvals. The staff report discusses various aspects of the project, such as landscaping, parking, wastewater, public safety concerns, and compliance with building codes. The project also needs to obtain a Coastal Development Permit. The proposal is considered to have a minimal environmental impact. Several conditions and requirements need to be met for the project to proceed.
— LoCOBot
… or, as an episode of Seinfeld!
The episode starts with Jerry and Elaine meeting at Monk’s Cafe to discuss their recent encounters with contrast therapy and sauna treatments. Elaine raves about how relaxing and rejuvenating the experience was, while Jerry complains about feeling claustrophobic in the sauna.
Meanwhile, George barges in, excitedly telling Jerry and Elaine about his latest business venture – he’s planning to open a contrast therapy and sauna manufacturing facility in Arcata. Jerry and Elaine are skeptical, but George insists that it’s a lucrative opportunity.
Later, at the Planning Commission meeting, George presents his proposal for the contrast therapy and sauna manufacturing facility at 40 South G Street. The commissioners are intrigued by the idea, but they raise concerns about the wood-burning appliances and the potential environmental impact.
As the meeting progresses, Kramer bursts in, wearing a towel around his waist and claiming that he just came from a contrast therapy session. He starts raving about the benefits of contrast therapy and how it has changed his life.
Jerry, Elaine, and George are shocked to see Kramer there and try to shush him, but he continues to disrupt the meeting with his eccentric behavior. Eventually, the commissioners ask Kramer to leave, but not before he accidentally knocks over a stack of papers.
In the chaos that follows, George’s proposal is rejected due to the concerns about the wood-burning appliances and lack of proper environmental assessments. George is devastated, while Jerry, Elaine, and Kramer try to console him. They all end up going out for a drink at the bar, where they commiserate over the failed business venture.
In the end, George decides to pivot his business idea and pursue a different venture, while Jerry, Elaine, and Kramer continue to enjoy their contrasting therapy sessions and saunas – albeit at a different location. The episode ends with the group laughing and joking about the absurdity of their recent misadventures.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment A - Action, Findings of Approval, Conditions of Approval, and Plan Set.pdf • Attachment B - Plans of Operation .pdf • Attachment C - Remedial Action Completion Certification.pdf • Attachment D - Applicant supplied information on wood stoves.pdf
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
a. Elect a Chair and Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will be electing a Chair and Vice-Chair at their upcoming meeting. The staff recommends that the Commission elect these positions, receive public comments, and take a formal vote. This is a yearly appointment that typically happens in July. The Commission can choose to elect both positions at once or separately. Once nominations are made, the Commission will vote to confirm the appointments and establish their roles for the next year.
— LoCOBot
… or, as a World War I infantryman's letter home to his sweetheart!
My Dearest Jane,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you from the trenches, under heavy fire from German artillery. The situation here is dire, but your love and support keep me going.
In the midst of this chaos, I cannot help but think of you and our future together. I long for the day when I can hold you in my arms again, safe and sound.
I wanted to share with you that the Planning Commission is set to elect a Chair and Vice-Chair at their upcoming meeting. It is important that they choose capable leaders to guide them through the coming year.
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers, my love. I will do my best to return to you soon.
Forever yours,
Charles
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
a. Land Use Code Updates—Development Standards Discussion
The City of Arcata is updating its Land Use Code to align with the General Plan and is seeking feedback on changes to development standards. The Planning Commission will discuss residential density, setbacks, floor area ratio, and minimum lot size to ensure that housing projects are feasible and in line with the city’s goals. The Commission’s feedback will help refine the draft Land Use Code before broader public review. The update is not subject to environmental review at this time, but a full analysis will be done before adoption.
— LoCOBot
… or, as a conversation between two very stoned people named Starfish and Noodles!
Starfish: Woah, dude, did you hear about this Planning Commission meeting about land use code updates?
Noodles: Yeah, man, I read the staff report. They’re talking about residential density, setbacks, floor area ratio, and minimum lot sizes. It’s like a whole new world of regulations.
Starfish: I know, right? They’re trying to make it easier to build more housing while still protecting the environment and community amenities. It’s like a balancing act.
Noodles: Totally, man. It’s like they’re trying to figure out how to fit more living spaces into the existing urban areas without destroying everything in the process.
Starfish: And they’re talking about setbacks, too. Like, how much space you need between buildings to maintain privacy, safety, and fire regulations. It’s all about finding that sweet spot for development.
Noodles: Yeah, it’s like a puzzle, man. And they’re also looking at floor area ratio, which regulates how much floor space you can have on a site. It’s all about balancing out the size and scale of buildings.
Starfish: And they’re even looking at minimum lot sizes to make it easier to create smaller infill parcels for development. It’s like they’re thinking of everything to make housing more accessible.
Noodles: It’s a trip, man. They’re really trying to make sure that any changes they make are in line with the General Plan and won’t have a negative impact on the environment. It’s like they’re playing 4D chess.
Starfish: Yeah, man, it’s all about finding that perfect harmony between housing development and sustainability. It’s like they’re trying to create a better future for everyone.
Noodles: It’s like… it’s like they’re creating a utopia, man. A place where everyone can live in harmony and peace, with just the right balance of nature and progress.
Starfish: Woah, that’s deep, dude. Maybe we should go to that Planning Commission meeting and share our insights with them. We could be like the prophets of land use regulations.
Noodles: Yeah, man, let’s do it. Let’s go and spread our wisdom about the perfect balance between development and nature. We’ll be the starfish and noodles of the planning world.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment A - Draft Land Use Code Article 2.pdf • Attachment B - Residential Denisty Questions prepared by Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc.pdf
7. CORRESPONDENCE/COMMUNICATIONS
8. ADJOURNMENT
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