Isabella Vanderheiden / Tuesday, Oct. 8 @ 1:12 p.m. / Agendizer
Does Eureka Need Another Weed Shop? Eureka Planning Commission to Weigh in During Wednesday’s Meeting
Proposed location for The Rainy Day cannabis facility. Image via City of Eureka.
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Does Eureka need another weed shop?
The Eureka Planning Commission will ponder that question at this week’s meeting while considering the issuance of a pair of permits for The Rainy Day, a cannabis dispensary slated for Old Town.
Eureka resident Betsie Zinsmann is applying for a conditional use permit and a coastal development permit to operate a cannabis facility at 520 Second Street, the same space as their former mid-century furniture store House of Humboldt, which closed in May 2020.
The building has an open floor plan with approximately 4,700 square feet of space available. If approved, the permit would allow for roughly 1,200 square feet for cannabis retail, 500 square feet for on-site indoor cultivation, 500 square feet for processing and 500 square feet for distribution.
Image via the City of Eureka.
While the building appears to be two stories tall, those second-story windows on the street-facing side of the building are a false façade. The building has an open floor plan with 4,700 square feet of space available, which will allow the applicants to display “non-cannabis” merchandise at the front of the store and cannabis-infused goodies and accessories in a “store within a store” through a partition and locked door.
“A security guard will allow access to the retail cannabis area,” the staff report states. “The retail cannabis portion will offer flower, edibles, topicals, and concentrates, and will only carry products that are grown or manufactured in Humboldt County. … There will be locked access between the retail cannabis area in the front of the building and the cultivation, processing, and distribution in the rear.”
The Rainy Day would operate Monday - Saturday between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. The applicants would have between 20 and 24 full-time employees, and another four part-time employees working on-site.
The Planning Commission will consider potential impacts of the proposed business and determine whether the application adheres to city code, the Local Coastal Program and the city’s development goals. Staff has determined that the application meets the city’s criteria and is “compatible with existing and planned uses in the vicinity.”
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The Planning Commission will also receive an update on staff’s efforts to reign in short-term vacation rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) in the city. Staff will go over some potential changes to the city’s current ordinance, but the commission is not expected to adopt any changes at this week’s meeting.
All that and more — including further analysis and creative interpretations of the agenda from Gennie the LoCOBot — can be found below! The Eureka Planning Commission meets on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 5:30 p.m. in Eureka City Hall- 531 K Street, Eureka. Remote viewing instructions can be found at this link.
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[CORRECTION: This article has been corrected to reflect that Betsie Zinsmann is the sole applicant. The Outpost regrets the error.]
Eureka Planning Commission
Oct. 9, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
A. ROLL CALL
B. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
DOCUMENTS:
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS - CONTINUED
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NEW
1. Groundswel Housing Minor Subdivision Location: 965 W Harris Street; APN: 008-182-003 Project: SDMN-24-0002
Groundswell Housing is proposing to divide one lot into four smaller lots for housing. This proposal has been approved by the Development Services Director but is now being reviewed by the Planning Commission. The new lots will have smaller minimum sizes and will be deed-restricted for lower-income households. The project also includes the construction of multiple units on each lot. The proposal meets all necessary requirements and is exempt from environmental assessment.
— LoCOBot
… or, as an episode of Seinfeld!
Title: The Subdivision
[Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer are gathered in Jerry’s apartment, discussing the latest development in the neighborhood.]
Jerry: (reading the staff report) “Groundswell Housing Minor Subdivision…subdividing one lot into four parcels.”
Elaine: (intrigued) Four parcels on one lot? That’s like a real estate puzzle.
George: (excitedly) Think of the possibilities! We could each buy a parcel and build our dream homes.
Kramer: (enthusiastically) I’m in! I’ve always wanted a penthouse with a rooftop garden.
Jerry: (skeptical) Hold on a second. This is Eureka we’re talking about. Nothing is ever that simple.
[Cut to the Planning Commission meeting where Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer are present to discuss the subdivision.]
Planning Commission Officer: “We are here to review the Groundswell Housing Minor Subdivision. Do we have any comments from the public?”
Jerry: (standing up) “I have a comment. How do we know this subdivision won’t cause chaos in our peaceful neighborhood?”
Planning Commission Officer: (patiently) “Sir, the project has been thoroughly reviewed and meets all the necessary requirements.”
Jerry: (skeptical) “I’ve seen enough disasters in real estate to know that things can go wrong in a hurry.”
[Kramer raises his hand excitedly]
Kramer: (interjecting) “What about the rooftop garden? Can we have that in the plan?”
Planning Commission Officer: (confused) “I’m sorry, sir. This is a minor subdivision, not a construction project.”
[Cut to Jerry’s apartment where they are discussing the outcome of the Planning Commission meeting.]
Elaine: (excited) “I can’t believe we’re going to be neighbors on our own parcels!”
George: (worrying) “I hope we don’t end up regretting this decision.”
Jerry: (sarcastically) “Oh, I’m sure everything will work out just fine. What could possibly go wrong?”
[The episode ends with the gang eagerly making plans for their new homes, unaware of the challenges that lie ahead in their real estate venture.]
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment 1 - Resolution • Attachment 2 - Notice of Action • Attachment 3 - Request for Hearing • Attachment 4 - Fire Response • Attachment 5 - Density Bonus
2. The Rainy Day Cannabis Retail and General Cannabis Facility Location: 520 2nd Street; APN: 001-091-008 Project: Conditional Use Permit (CUP-24-0004) and Coastal Development Permit (CDP-24-0009)
A person named Betsie Zinsmann wants to open a cannabis business at 520 2nd Street. The business will include retail sales, cultivation, processing, and distribution of cannabis products. The building is located in the waterfront commercial zone and the project requires a Conditional Use Permit and Coastal Development Permit. The project has been deemed exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. The staff recommends holding a public hearing and approving the project with conditions. The project is seen as beneficial to the area and in line with the city’s goals and policies.
— LoCOBot
Title: Rainy Day Cannabis Facility Recipe
Ingredients:
- Existing building at 520 2nd Street
- Conditional Use Permit (CUP-24-0004)
- Coastal Development Permit (CDP-24-0009)
- Betsie Zinsmann (Applicant)
- Betsie Zinsmann and Zachery Zinsmann (Property Owners)
- Cannabis Retail sales
- Cultivation area
- Processing area
- Distribution area
- CEQA Exemption under §15301
- Lisa Savage, Senior Planner (Staff Contact)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the existing building at 520 2nd Street for a cannabis business by setting up a retail sales area, cultivation area, processing area, and distribution area.
2. Apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP-24-0004) and a Coastal Development Permit (CDP-24-0009) by submitting a complete application by July 24, 2024.
3. Contact Lisa Savage, Senior Planner, for guidance and assistance throughout the process.
4. Hold a public hearing to discuss and approve the project.
5. Adopt a resolution finding the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approve it with conditions.
6. Display public notification signs and inform property owners and residents within a 300-foot radius of the site.
7. Ensure the project complies with zoning codes and local coastal program requirements.
8. Confirm that the proposed Cannabis Facility will not pose any risks to public health, safety, or welfare.
9. Seek approval from Tribal Historic Preservation Officers for any necessary agreements.
10. Finalize all necessary documents and permits before the deadline for action on October 22, 2024.
Note: Modifications to the exterior of the building should be minimal, with potential changes limited to signage and trim replacement only.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment 1 - Resolution • Attachment 2- Applicant Submitted Materials • Attachment 3- Emails
G. OLD BUSINESS
H. NEW BUSINESS
I. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
The memo discusses updates on the Vacation Rental Compliance Drive and proposed changes to vacation rental regulations in Eureka, California. City officials have been sending violation letters to unpermitted short-term rental operators, urging them to pay back taxes and obtain necessary permits. Some operators have complied, but many have not. Proposed regulation changes include requiring regular permit renewals, using objective standards for approval, and limiting the number of vacation rentals one person can operate. These changes will require public hearings before being adopted.
— LoCOBot
In a world where vacation rentals are booming, one city is taking back control.
From the makers of “Zoning Wars” and “Property Patrol” comes a thrilling new film that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
“Planning” follows the story of the Planning Commission in Eureka, California as they launch a Vacation Rental Compliance Drive to crack down on unpermitted short-term rentals. With 80 violation letters sent out and 40 operators already complying, the city is determined to bring all rentals into compliance - no matter the cost.
But as the final batch of letters is sent out and operators scramble to comply, tensions rise and secrets are revealed. Will the City be able to enforce their regulations and bring order to the vacation rental chaos? Or will the operators fight back and continue to operate under the radar?
Featuring a star-studded cast and heart-pounding action, “Planning” is the must-see film of the year.
Get ready for the ride of a lifetime as the Planning Commission goes head-to-head with vacation rental operators in a battle for compliance.
“Planning” - coming soon to a theater near you.
— LoCOBot
J. OTHER REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
K. ADJOURNMENT
L. NOTICES
CLICK TO MANAGE