Eureka Council to Consider New 73-Word Phrasing for Pro-Parking 'Housing for All' Ballot Initiative

Ryan Burns / Thursday, June 20 @ 4:08 p.m. / Agendizer

Eureka Council to Consider New 73-Word Phrasing for Pro-Parking ‘Housing for All’ Ballot Initiative

The Jacobs campus. | File photo.

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The Eureka City Council will meet tonight to decide a number of matters pertaining to the upcoming Nov. 5 election, and arguably the most noteworthy item concerns the wording for a controversial ballot initiative.

Last Tuesday, the council rejected the proposed phraseology drafted by Eureka City Attorney Autumn Luna. Tonight is take two.

As with all divisive political matters, the messaging surrounding the upcoming Eureka ballot measure “Housing for All and Downtown Vitality Initiative” (as it has been dubbed by backers) tends to fall into two overly simplified camps.

Proponents, who are well financed by the Rob Arkley-founded real estate servicing firm Security National, say their initiative will protect much-needed downtown parking spaces while creating the opportunity for more housing than what the city has in the works: a series of new high-density housing development on surplus municipal parking lots. The “Housing for All” plan hinges on a zoning overlay at the former Jacobs Middle School site on the south side of the city, among other things.

Opponents say this ballot measure would actually stymie several in-progress housing developments by creating onerous and financially infeasible parking minimums without guaranteeing that any future housing projects will actually get built. And they say the ballot measure could invalidate the city’s housing element, putting Eureka at risk of serious legal and financial repercussions.

Of course, as with all things political, the reality is even more complicated than either of those dueling synopses. (The Jacobs campus remains owned by Eureka City Schools, for example, though the property is in escrow with a shadowy corporation formed just days before it offered to trade a small home and $5.35 million in cash for the land.)

And yet, somehow, the question that will face voters on the ballot this fall can’t be any longer than 75 words.

The draft up for consideration tonight clocks in at just 73 words — two fewer than last week’s version — but unless you’re pretty familiar with the issues underlying the measure, you’ll probably a hard time making heads or tails of it. Here’s the draft query:

Shall the measure amending Eureka’s General Plan, creating an overlay designation for downtown that limits 21 City-owned lots, with exceptions, to parking at or above the current capacity and above-ground-level high-density housing, and creating an overlay designation for the former Jacobs Middle School site, allowing housing, public, quasi-public, and commercial uses, with at least 40% of non-public use area dedicated to high-density housing, subject to review for consistency with state law, be adopted?

Anyway, the council will decide if that’s fair and balanced enough to be approved for ballots.

There are a few other election-related matters on the agenda. See below for links to documents along with synopses by our creative agenda-bot Gennie.

Eureka City Council

June 24, 2024, 5 p.m.

A. REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS

1. November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election

The Eureka City Council is discussing and preparing for the upcoming General Municipal Election on November 5, 2024. They will be electing municipal officers and voting on a ballot measure relating to the General Plan. The council will adopt resolutions regarding election services, candidate statements, filing arguments, and more. The City Clerk has recommended these resolutions to ensure a smooth election process.

— LoCOBot

… or, as a Bollywood song!

Verse 1:
The City Clerk’s prepared, Pam Powell’s on the case
It’s time to gear up for the November race
General Municipal Election, let’s make a plan
To elect our leaders in Eureka City, we take a stand

Chorus:
November 5, 2024, mark the date on your calendar
We’ll choose our officers, it’s a day to remember
Resolution after resolution, we’re ready to act
Let’s make our voices heard, that’s a solid fact

Verse 2:
Calling all voters, it’s time to choose
For the future of our city, we can’t lose
Candidates ready to step up to the plate
Let’s make sure our city’s fate is great

Bridge:
City Council’s goals and vision in sight
Let’s come together and do what’s right
For Eureka City, let’s pave the way
On November 5, let’s make our say

Outro:
Let’s dance to the beat of democracy’s song
On November 5, we’ll all sing along
Eureka City Council, we’re ready to roll
Let’s make our mark, let’s reach our goal!

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff Report • Resolution caling for election municipal officers & balot measure • Resolution_consolidating election w county for municipal officers & balot measure • Resolution_Impartial Attorny Analysis_Balot Measure • Resolution_Submittal of Argument Ward Charter • Resolution setting Candidate Statements

Ryan Burns / Thursday, June 20 @ 4:08 p.m. / Agendizer