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A.I. summary of the Triton “Standards of Cover” report:

Reading time 2 minutes. An A.I. summary of the AP Triton "Standards of Cover" report. It has not been edited here. It was produced on September 9, 2025, prior to the Council / Arcata Fire District joint study session on September 10th.

from Fred Weis: Suggested solutions for AFD’s fire protection issues

The City Council has these important decisions to make -- "Arcata’s own Gateway Code specifies that a permit will not be granted on a building that is detrimental to the public interest, health, or safety, or is potentially materially injurious to persons or property." "The Council needs to decide if it is willing to have Arcata grant permits for four-story or taller buildings." "It is my view that the way to get this money is, in a sense, to extort or threaten the State and the CSU system. To convince the State to come up with money for us, they need to be told what could happen if they don’t. It has to be "an offer that they can't refuse.""

Legalities: Will the AFD allow a four-story building to be approved?

Arcata's Gateway Area Code specifically states that a new building cannot be detrimental to the health, safety, or public interest, nor can it be potentially injurious to persons or property. Seeing as the Arcata Fire District has clearly and specifically told the City Council that that cannot provide fire protection in buildings taller than 3 stories, wouldn't that make a 4-story building be impossible to be approved? This is a question for the legal experts to determine.

Triton’s Standards of Cover report “recommendations” are worthless

A listing of the recommendations from the Standard of Cover report. As you read through them, please ask yourself this question:  Which of these recommendations will help the Arcata Fire District firefighters deal with a fire in a four-story (or taller) building? Where is the source of funding to actually expand the capabilities of the AFD, so that they can provide minimal fire protection for taller buildings? Actually achieving fire protection for four-story and taller buildings was supposed to be included in the Triton report. But the report is woefully lacking in specifics and in goals. It is 40% wishful thinking and 60% fluff.

AP Triton full report: Community Risk Assessment – Standards of Cover Deployment Analysis

The "Standards of Cover" report was commissioned in January 2024, for expected delivery on August 1 of that year. It arrived at the end of July, 2025 -- one year late. The report is pure bureaucratic fluff that has very little of substance to enable the Arcata Fire District accomplish its aims, which are to provide fire protection for the occupants of buildings that are greater than three stories.

Current fire protection infrastructure is dangerously inadequate

The Arcata Fire District Board has been trying to inform and educate the Arcata City Council for years on the inadequacy of fire protection here in Arcata. Includes excerpt of Arcata Fire District Board minutes, a letter from the AFD Board to the Mayor of Arcata, dated April 8, 2024, and a letter from citizen Gregory Daggett: "While I support thoughtful urban development, the current fire protection infrastructure in Arcata is dangerously inadequate for buildings taller than three stories—a fact that has been repeatedly communicated to the Council and Planning Commission by the Arcata Fire Protection District."

Big Issues of the Gateway Plan: Fire Protection — and a solution

Reading time: 8 minutes -- It is my opinion that, given time, the AFD, the City of Arcata, and Cal Poly will find a solution to the Fire Protection issue. In this BRIEF article, a possible solution is offered so that taller buildings can be planned for in the Gateway area. **** WITH VIDEO from the August 22, 2023, City Council / Planning Commission joint study session.

Grand Jury Report on the Arcata Fire District

The full 15-page Grand Jury report on the Arcata Fire District issues. Plus links to articles in the local media on this subject matter.

Mad River Union – Grand Jury foresees Fire District funding, staffing, equipment shortfalls

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury has released a report warning that the Arcata Fire District is “approaching desperate financial conditions” and may have to reduce services and close one of its stations. The report also delves into the District’s lack of a ladder truck and proper staffing to respond to fires in multi-story buildings.

Arcata Fire District needs funds for safety — Who will pay?

The Arcata Fire District will need a large increase in funding to provide fire and safety services to Arcata's new tall buildings. It is my expressed opinion -- not based on any conversations or any outside input; just based my own speculation -- that the State of California will come up with the money, both the up-front funds and the annual expenses. I say this for a very simple reason: That something has to be done, and the local taxpayers will be completely unwilling to take on theses costs.

Fire and Safety issues in Arcata and the Gateway Plan

Arcata Fire District Fire and Safety issues in Arcata and the Gateway Plan.

Arcata Fire District issues – Selected Articles

Arcata Fire District Fire and Safety issues in Arcata and the Gateway Plan

Portland: Mixed-use zoning results in apartments and one-story houses side-by-side

Another example of newer apartment buildings in what once was a single-family home neighborhood. Located in Portland, Oregon.

Ben Noble Form-Based Code presentation – June 29, 2022 – Part 3 Ministerial Review

This is a 14 minute section of the one-hour presentation by Ben Noble, from June 29, 2022. This section includes Ben's description of of the Ministerial Review permitting process. A link to the full presentation is included.

Ben Noble Form-Based Code presentation – June 29, 2022 – Part 3 Ministerial Review

This is a 14 minute section of the one-hour presentation by Ben Noble, from June 29, 2022. This section includes Ben's description of of the Ministerial Review permitting process.  A link to the full presentation is included.

Gateway Ministerial Review and what it means for you

Key to the success of Arcata’s Gateway Area Plan is the quick and certain approval of all projects that meet the standards of the Gateway Code. The current draft has new Gateway buildings up to 37 feet tall – that’s three-stories, generally – being seen only by the Zoning Administrator. This one person would have complete authority to approve new projects. There would be no public hearings for these approvals.

Ministerial Review – Selected Articles

Ministerial Review in the Gateway Area Plan Ministerial Review is a key ingredient of the Gateway Area Plan. Ministerial Review can include the review and...

Arcata in the 1970s — 9-minute film and still photos

Around 2021, Mark Pahuta put up a video of Super-8 film he shot while in Arcata. The film is dated as being from 1968, but more likely it's from around 1976-1977. FILM and STILL IMAGES of Arcata from that era.

Merritt Perry — Fortuna City Manager will be Arcata’s new City Manager

Merritt Perry has been the city manager in Fortuna for more than years. Prior to that he worked as City Engineer and director of Public Works in Fortuna for four years. He became interim City Manager following the resignation (after a second DUI) of former Fortuna city manager and Arcata city councilmember and 3-time mayor Mark Wheetley.

What a destructive fire in a 4-story apartment building looks like

Three videos of the fire from June 19, 2024, in Miami. "I did get a chance  to speak to one gentleman who tells me he was actually sleeping at the  time. He awoke not because he smelled the smoke, not because he heard the commotion, but because he heard a firefighter knocking at his front door. That's what prompted him to get up, get outside."

Sunset-101 Roundabouts — Let’s improve the design and make it SAFE

The traffic crossings are not safe. IT WILL ONLY TAKE ONE FATALITY to have us wishing that we'd thought about this more and done things differently. WITH PHOTOS of 3D images, models, and flashing beacon lights.

Sunset-101 Roundabout discussion – Video and transcripts — City Council, February 21, 2024

Video and Transcriptions on the Sunset-101 Roundabout discussion. From the City Council meeting, February 21, 2024. "If you can make those changes -- the full separated bike and pedestrian facilities, the additional traffic calming measures, and getting rid of the slip lanes."

The Sunset-101 Interchange design — It’s unsafe, and someone will be hurt

The letter that sent to the City Council, to request that the Sunset-101 Interchange funding be removed from the Consent Calendar, so that it can be further discussed. From the letter: "I believe there are unsafe elements to this design -- and that the design can be improved to make it safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. The design is good for vehicle traffic flow -- but not so good for bikes and walkers. My strong concern is that with this design there will be vehicle - bicyclist collisions.  *** My concern is that someone will get hurt.***

Part 4 — Sunset/101 Roundabouts — How can this possibly be safe for bicyclists and pedestrians?

The Sunset-101 Interchange design: What is wrong with it. Can this design be improved? Is it safe?

Part 1 – Sunset and LK Wood / Highway 101 roundabouts — Where are the bike lanes?

Here are images of the design of the roundabouts for the multiple-lane intersection of Sunset Avenue, L. K. Wood Boulevard, and the four on-ramps/off-ramps for US Highway 101. The question is: WHERE ARE THE BIKE LANES?

Part 2 – Sunset and LK Wood / Highway 101 roundabouts — Will this work? Is this safe?

Part 2. The multi-road intersections of Sunset Avenue, L. K. Wood Boulevard, G Street, H Street, and the four on-ramps/off-ramps for US Highway 101 are an acknowledged difficult situation. The solution that's provide is not, in my view, a good solution. I think this design would be the source of all kinds of problems. I believe there must be a better solution for us at this intersection. We can do better.

Part 3 – Sunset and LK Wood / Highway 101 roundabouts — Letter to the City Council

The letter sent to the City Council. This item was on their agenda for the February 21, 2024 meeting. The overall design of this interchange does not seem safe -- not safe for bicyclists, for pedestrians, and not even safe for cars. WE CAN DO BETTER,

Trying to watch the Council’s General Plan approval at home? The public is being robbed.

If you tried to watch the live video stream of that May 29th meeting or wanted to review it by video, you may have felt some frustration or confusion. On the live video stream or in the video, we can hear the City Council -- but we couldn't see the Council. Some times for long stretches in the video -- up to 19 minutes in one case -- there is no image of any human being. With a SUGGESTION to correct this.

Arcata Fire District letter to the City Council, May 28, 2024: Don’t approve Gateway

From the Arcata Fire District May 28, 2024 letter: "We are writing to request that approval of these elements be denied at this time and put on hold until the AP Triton Standard of Coverage (SOC) for the AFPD is completed and the Arcata City Council and AFPD Board of Directors achieve consensus on a plan for the likely expansion of the District's capacity."

Suggestions for May 29, 2024: Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Code, General Plan, and EIR

To the City Council for the 1st public hearing at the Council on the General Plan, Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Code, and Program Environmental Impact Report. --- "As you must be aware, the Council is in a difficult situation here. You are being asked to approve a set of documents that are incomplete." With 5 very important topics suggested for review, and 5 other lesser but still very significant topics.

Gateway Plan and General Plan Updates – Newsletter – May 27, 2024

THIS NEWSLATTER WAS SENT OUT ON MONDAY, MAY 27, 2024. The two scheduled public hearings with the Arcata City Council take place on Wednesdays -- May 29 and June 5, 2024. If needed, the public hearing meetings will be continued. The City Council will consider, take public comment on, discuss, and perhaps vote to adopt the Gateway Area Plan, the Gateway Zoning Code, the Arcata General Plan 2045, and the Final Environmental Report.

The Gateway Singers — “The Ballad of Sigmund Freud”

Fresh from 1958, we have The Gateway Singers. Included here is the video and lyrics for "The Ballad of Sigmund Freud." Missing are the Gateway Singers performances of "Let's all Room Together" and "Supply and Demand."

Four-Story Buildings do not belong in the Bayview, Sunset, and Upper I & J Street Neighborhoods

The LU-9 Implementation Measure in the draft General Plan would allow 4 and 5-story buildings in the Bayview, Northtown, Upper I & J Street, and Sunset neighborhoods. A rezoning would allow "Local-serving commercial uses such as corner grocery stores and coffee shops" throughout those neighborhoods. **** LU-9 does not belong in Arcata's General Plan **** WITH IMAGES OF WHAT COULD BE BUILT.

Do we want 5-story apartments in a residential neighborhood?

What happens when a city's zoning allows 5-story buildings in an established residential neighborhood? "When new residential architecture enters into an established neighborhood, the results are often unpredictable. The towering next door apartments upset the smaller scale of the older houses."***** "It makes me wonder if developers will eventually gobble up the remaining houses for nothing but apartments."

General Plan, Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Code: Latest versions

Keeping track of the latest General Plan, Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Zoning Code is not a simple matter. There have been three different versions of the General Plan in one week -- twice. ------- The City Council is reviewing the General Plan, Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Zoning Code (and also the Final Environmental Impact Report), with public hearings set for May 29 and June 4, 2024. These are the versions of these documents, as leading up to those dates.

General Plan, Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Code: How many versions are there?

Keeping track of the latest General Plan, Gateway Area Plan, Gateway Zoning Code is not a simple matter. There have been three different versions of a General Plan document -- within one week. And this has happened twice. This article shows how these document-handling procedures are inadequate and poor, and differ from what is done by professionals in every field, all over the world. A solution is proposed.

An absolutely awful building design for L Street and the Gateway Area Plan

THIS COULD BE BUILT right next to the woonerf or linear park. A form-based code does not prevent bad design. Utilizing the current Gateway Code, here are images of what could be built along the L Street corridor linear park and woonerf. HELP! To create a jewel of a woonerf, we need to improve the Gateway Code.

A good building design for the L Street corridor woonerf

Could we have buildings with human-scale design elements here in Arcata? Yes we can. Unless we specify what we want for the buildings along the L Street corridor, then it's a free-for-all situation. This potential jewel of Arcata will look like whatever developers want. With a list of GOOD DESIGN ELEMENTS and images of a building project that would fit into the Gateway area.

Marin County Form-Based Code

The Marin County Form-Based code is a thing of beauty. In addition to being a great code for Marin, it is also a valuable teaching tool, for us to read and learn about what a good form-based code can be. Includes samples of the specifications for one neighborhood type, the Core Main Street, somewhat corresponding to Arcata's Gateway area.

L Street – 2010 Rail with Trail Feasibility Study

In June, 2010, the City of Arcata published a 160-page document titled "Arcata Rail With Trail Feasibility Study and Operations Plan." This detailed study is significant now for the Gateway Area Plan because of its depiction of how L Street would be converted into a Linear Park. With images and street designs. **** THIS IS A "MUST SEE" DOCUMENT by the Planning Commissioners, the City Council, and all citizens who want to see how exciting and desirable an L Street Corridor Linear Park could be.

Director Loya provides misleading information to the Planning Commission on the Arcata Fire District’s letter

The Arcata Fire District wrote a letter that they wanted the Planning Commissioners to see. The Community Development Director did not send them the letter. Instead, he wrote a watered-down summary -- leaving out what is important, and adding in a summary that is not what the AFD said.

To the Planning Commissioners: The missing letter from the Arcata Fire District

3 MINUTES TO READ -- On April 9, 2024, the Arcata Fire District Board sent a letter to the City Council, stating that the AFD cannot ensure the safety of people living in a building that is over 40 feet tall — a three-story building. On April 18, 2024, the Arcata Fire District Board wrote to Community Development Director with a simple request:  To provide that April 9, 2024, letter to the Planning Commissioners. Director Loya did not honor this simple request.

A simple request from the Arcata Fire District — David Loya denies it.

The Arcata Fire District sent a letter to the City, stating that the AFD cannot ensure the safety of people living in a building that is over 40 feet tall, which would be a three-story building. A subsequent letter requested that the earlier letter be provided to the Planning Commissioners. The Community Development Director David Loya did not do this. Instead he wrote a watered-down version as a summary, and created a summation that was not in the letter.

Why the decision on the L Street Linear Park is so important — and so crucial

An open message to Arcata's City Council, and to every living, breathing person in Arcata who cares about our future. ---- Does a decision need to be made as to the fate of L Street, whether it's going to be a park or a thoroughfare street, prior to Ben Noble formulating much of the Form-Based Code? ---- This is the Council's chance to take an appropriate leadership position. To act otherwise is hypocrisy.

The L Street Corridor — It’s a goldmine, waiting to happen

“L Street will be where the city and the trail converge, creating a vibrant community gathering space.”  ---- “Implementing the Arcata Rails With Trails] will help the region achieve a world-class recreation and transportation system. A multi-use trail facility will result in expanded recreation and mobility options for Arcata, Eureka, and Humboldt County residents and visitors, especially those who seek to integrate a healthy lifestyle into their daily activities.”

Gateway Code: What is new — and wrong — in the “May 14, 2024, Version 5” version

This “May 14, 2024” version contains changes that the Planning Commission has never seen or discussed. It contains changes where the Commission said not to change. It contains inadequate changes for things that the Commission wanted changed. It's still missing many things that the Commission brought up and did not fully resolve. It has Inclusionary Zoning wrong. And still no planning for the L Street woonerf and linear park.

The Gateway Plan process: A thousand and one topics got lost in the wilderness

There has been no economic Analysis of Gateway construction -- even though the Commissioners requested this. In June, 2023, Planning Commission Chair Scott Davies asked for an economic analysis about cost feasibility -- what it would take to build in the Gateway area. It has never happened.

At the Planning Commission’s first review of the Gateway Code, they asked questions for only 2-1/2 minutes.

WITH VIDEO 44 minutes. The Planning Commissioner's first review of the Gateway Code took place on June 13, 2023 -- 8 days after the first draft of the Gateway Code was released. In this review, the Commissioners spoke and asked questions of Community Development Director David Loya for a total of 2-1/2 minutes. When the time came for questions for Ben Noble, the Gateway Code's author and form-based code consultant, the Commissioners had nothing to ask him.

General Plan 2045 — the 2nd “May 14, 2024” draft

This is the Public Hearing draft of Arcata's General Plan 2045. It is the second "May 14, 2024" draft.

To the Council and Commission: The draft General Plan is not ready

This message was sent to the full City Council, the Planning Commissioners, City Manager and ComDev Director. Thi is a critique of the initial look at the latest draft of the General Plan. The General Plan 2045 draft and the Gateway Area Plan draft are supposed to be ready for a Public Hearing on May 14th. In my view, these documents are not ready.

Video: Planning Commission discusses the Gateway Code – April 23, 2024

What was slated to be a “final” review of Arcata’s Gateway Area Code took place at the April 23, 2024, Planning Commission meeting. On May 14, 2024, is the Public hearing on the General Plan 2045, the Gateway Area Plan, and the Gateway Code. Also on May 14 is a Planning Commission review of the three documents and the Commission's recommendation to the City Council. *** The full-steam-ahead pedal-to-the-medal accelerated pace will result in a sub-standard Gateway Code.

David Loya explains why the L Street linear park and woonerf is not in the Gateway Plan or the Gateway Code

4 MINUTE VIDEO -- David Loya attempted to explain why the proposed L Street corridor linear park was not in the Gateway Code. “We’re implementing the direction that we received in September,” he said. That is, he believed the City Council had said "No" to having the linear park in the Gateway Area Code -- or so it seemed. This is a 4-minute segment of the video of that the meeting. It's a monologue from David Loya. I regard this four minutes as a string of falsehoods, one after another. Video plus annotated transcript.

2022 CALGreen Electric Vehicle Charging Requirements

How many electric vehicle chargers are required for new apartments and non-residential buildings? The quantity is tied to the number of parking spaces that are built. In the Gateway area, the minimum parking required is zero... so there well could be no charging stations there too. ------ This fact sheet summarizes 2022 CALGreen requirements for residential construction, including single-family, multi-family, and hospitality (hotels and motels) facilities, as well as nonresidential new construction.

Gateway Code Greenways are wrong. David Loya is not doing his job.

The "greenways" concept as expressed in the Gateway Code is not well-conceived. It is not written clearly, and contains numerous major errors. This was evident from the 1st draft of the Code. There have been no changes in this through the 2nd and 3rd drafts. For how long has David Loya been aware of these deficiencies and errors -- and done nothing?

What does the Gateway Code say about Tenant and Employee bicycle parking?

What does the Gateway Code say about Tenant and Employee bicycle parking? The section of the Gateway Code on long-term (over two hours) bicycle parking is yet another part of this document that has the appearance of being copied from somewhere else and never really thought about. ------- With photos of just what the Gateway Code requires, and what a developer could give us for tenant bike parking.

The Gateway Code – Specific Issues

A guide to separate articles about specific issues in the Gateway Code.

A successful woonerf and linear park in the L Street corridor needs Gateway Code policies

Requirements for a successful woonerf / linear park designation in the L Street Corridor. An initial draft of what must be added to the Gateway Code is included in this article. Reading time for the Code requirements, about 5 minutes; for the entire article about 10 minutes.

Gateway planning for Bus stops and a transit center — A missing opportunity

With the original plans of the Gateway Area Plan so deficient, much of the overview of good planning got lost. The Gateway Code has numerous errors and omissions. Among what was neglected is:  Where are the bus stops? Where is the transit center? Where is the planning?

A reply to “Thankful to be a community partner” by Dr. Tom Jackson, Cal Poly Humboldt

Original article from September 4, 2022 ------- Dr. Tom Jackson has been the President of Cal Poly Humboldt since May, 2019. He writes a twice-a-month letter published in the Eureka Times-Standard. Dr. Jackson may be "thankful to be a community partner" but many people here in Arcata do not see Cal Poly Humboldt as being a community "partner" at all.

Commissioners Dan Tangney and Matt Simmons were absent from the Gateway Code review

What was slated to be a "final" review of Arcata's Gateway Area Code took place at the April 23, 2024, Planning Commission meeting. At the previous meeting, Commissioners Dan Tangney and Matt Simmons noted that they would be absent from the April 23rd meeting. The "final" review was scheduled anyway. In this way, the most senior member of the Planning Commission and the current largest individual contributor to the Gateway Area Plan process were shut out of the conversation on the Gateway Code.

Fred Weis speaks: The Gateway Code is not ready to be called “Final”

The April 23, 2024, meeting of the Arcata Planning Commission had a "final" review of the Gateway Area Code -- the document that defines the "look and feel" of all construction, parks, pathways, and so on that are part of the Gateway Area Plan. In the 3 minutes that are allowed for public comment -- on a document that is going to change the look of Arcata forever -- Fred Weis spoke on how the Gateway Area Code document needs considerable work before it can be considered complete.

What are the Greenways in the Gateway Code? Are they real?

The "Greenways" section is a highly confusing portion of the the draft Gateway Code. The Code should include this as guidelines for what will happen ("Greenways are required in the approximate locations shown in Figure 2-56."). But what is shown in the Code is clearly 100% overkill -- and some of it is absolutely impossible. The Gateway Code needs to be revised.

Another Loya fallacy: “Secured” bike parking within 750 feet

In the draft Gateway Code, a tenant's bike parking could be 750 feet from their apartment -- 2-1/2 blocks away. This is absurd, as the Commissioners pointed out at their April 23, 2024 meeting. Fortunately, the Planning Commissioners accomplished in five minutes what Arcata's Community Development Director David Loya and form-based code consultant Ben Noble could not provide clarity for -- in a year.

David Loya’s Misunderstanding: Tenant Bicycle Storage doesn’t have to be Indoors

In the Gateway code, tenant bicycle parking does not have to be indoors. It doesn't even have to be behind a fence. In discussing this with the Planning Commissioners at their April 23, 2024, meeting, the director repeatedly referred to this as inside parking -- within the building. There is nothing in the Gateway Code that says that the secure bicycle storage space has to be inside the building -- or even inside at all.

Gateway needs good architects !

Creating affordable housing without government subsidies is not easy. Creating affordable home-ownership is even more difficult. "Missing Middle" housing is what's been declared as sorely absent and hugely desired, all over the country. Kaplan Thompson Architects is in Portland, Maine. They've figure out how to make net-positive energy use affordable rentals, and, very importantly, buildings with home-ownership. Their designs for very-low income and transitional housing are energy-efficient and high-quality.

The City Council said “Yes” to the L Street linear park. David Loya tried to defy them.

The City Council requested the L Street corridor full-width linear park. For eight months, Arcata's Community Development Director did nothing. David Loya said, "I understand why it could have been confusing." But the Council's direction was not confusing to anyone but him.

The Gateway Code: What has been discussed, and what has been forgotten?

There is much in the draft Gateway Code that the Planning Commission never discussed. And there are other topics that indeed were discussed, but the changes that were requested were never included in the Gateway Code. What happened?

Appreciation for Judith Mayer, Ph.D., for her seventeen years as a Planning Commissioner

At the City Council meeting on April 17th, Dr. Judith Mayer was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation for her seventeen years of service on Arcata's Planning Commission.  Members of the Community came to issue a standing ovation, showing their respect and appreciation to Dr. Mayer, for all the many ways that she has consciously added to our community. Community gratitude was extended by much clapping, many thankful smiles, and the gift of a large bouquet of flowers.

Comments and Suggestions for the Gateway Code

Comments and suggestions on the draft Gateway Code. This is the form-based code that defines the look and feel of every building, street, park. and more of everything that will be built in the Gateway area. You can use this document along with the "Guides for the Council, Commission, and Community — to the Gateway Code comments and suggestions" to learn more about developers can and cannot do.

Guides for the Council, Commission, and Community — to the Gateway Code comments and suggestions

A guide to the Comments & Suggestions on the draft Gateway from-based Code. Commissioners, Council members, and the community can find what issues with the draft Gateway Plan are important to them. The most glaring omission is the lack of anything in the Gateway Code about the planned L Street Corridor full-width linear park.

Arcata Fire District tells the Council: No building permits, no occupancy of 4-story and taller buildings, please

At the April 9, 2024, Arcata Fire District's Board of Directors meeting, the Board discussed and approved a letter to be sent to the Arcata Mayor and Arcata City Council. That letter is re-printed here ----This letter formalizes and re-states what the AFD has been telling the City Council over these past two years. At the current time, the AFD cannot ensure the safety of people living in a building that is over 40 feet tall, which would be a three-story building.

Notice of Public Hearing — May 14 — Arcata General Plan Comprehensive Update and Gateway Code

A public hearing on a formal recommendation of the General Plan and the Gateway Area Plan will take place Tuesday, May 14, 2024. You are encouraged to attend and to send your comments and concerns to both the City of Arcata and to Arcata1.com.

April 2, 2024 City Council goal-setting study session, with survey results report

The annual City Council goal-setting study session took place on April 2, 2024. This meeting was not televised, available on-line, or video-recorded. There is a rough audio recording, available on Arcata’s website’s meeting calendar page and available here.

Video: FM3 sales-tax survey at the Council’s goal-setting session — with questions on building height and parking desired

Here is a video of the presentation from FM3 Research of the question on having a sales-tax increase measure on the November 2024 ballot. Also includes two non-tax-related questions on 7-story building height and street parking.

The City of Arcata needs revenue. “Rich Uncle” Cal Poly Humboldt isn’t paying its share.

Cal Poly Humboldt could be contributing a substantial amount to Arcata's costs for police, emergency services, infrastructure, and maintenance. Court cases have ruled that a local university should pay for their share of the costs resulting from university-oriented population.

UC Berkeley lawsuit decisions may affect Arcata too

Did UC Berkeley bring in more students than they'd promised? How much should the University contribute to infrastructure costs? And -- is any of this applicable to Cal Poly Humboldt and Arcata ?

Four-story hotel approved by David Loya and not approved by the Planning Commission? It’s possible.

According the procedures of the draft Gateway Code, a four-story hotel project with 85 rooms could be approved by a single person -- the Zoning Administrator. As such, the project would never be seen by the Planning Commission. A hotel of this size could, by code, have a parking lot with 3/4 acre of asphalt.

Criteria for Zoning Administrator approval be 4,000 sq.ft. — not 40,000 sq.ft.

I propose: that the criteria be much lower for Planning Commission review. Such as: PC review required for anything over 4,000 sq.ft. building area. Or: PC review required for everything (except for the simplest of projects, to be defined). How would this work? The Julian Berg Valley East project took 31 minutes to be approved. If a project is well-designed and adheres to the Form-Based Code, then approval by the Planning Commission would be smooth sailing.

The Great Redwood Trail draft Master Plan is here

The Great Redwood Trail is a planned 307-mile long trail system that starts in Blue Lake and runs though Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin, and San Francisco counties -- all the way to San Francisco. One hundred miles of the trail is in Humboldt County, and about 11 miles of the trail in the southwest corner of Trinity County. You can view the draft Master Plan for the Great Redwood Trail draft master plan here.

FM3 survey: Putting a sales tax increase on the November 2024 ballot, and more

Survey results for the potential sales-tax increase November 2024 ballot measure. Also: How did questions about street parking, parking lots, and 7-story Building Height get onto a survey about potential tax measures? Why does the survey conclude that Street Parking is "low priority" when 85% of the respondents say it is important?

Gateway’s “Inclusionary” apartments — How much rent would you be paying?

Under the affordable housing provisions of the Gateway Area Plan, buildings over 14 units are required to have 14% or 16% of the apartments be affordable. But the rent amounts that are proposed wind up being higher than what renters are paying now. How can this be considered as affordable?

April Fool’s stories… and other funny or fuzzy tales

April Fool's Day humor. What would life be without a little levity, eh?

Barrel-shaped apartments project for Gateway’s Barrel District floats through Planning Commission

In what proved to be a record-setting session, at last week's Planning Commission meeting an amazing 1,825 apartment units were approved in a bit under 45 minutes. The master plan is based on seven identical 7-story barrel-shaped apartment buildings, plus an ark-shaped hotel that serves as the anchor for the project, so to speak. The 300 cubit-long ark hotel (510 feet, in contemporary terms) includes 425 guest rooms,

Gateway Area Plan approved at 11th hour; PlanCom, Council, Loya jubilant

With an outpouring of jubilation and champagne, the City Council approved and adopted the Gateway Area Plan just prior to 10:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve, 2024. In a never-before-seen scene set at City Hall, reminiscent of an Arcata version of the warm-hearted ending of the film "It's a Wonderful Life," the entire town rallied behind the promise (or premise) of affordable housing for working people.

Cal Poly buys Crabs baseball team; Eyes ballpark for discount outlet mall

Cal Poly Humboldt announced last week that they had bought the Humboldt Crabs baseball team. Rumors for the rationale of the purchase run rampant. Discussion changed after a leaked memo gave clues about the fate of the Crabs. "I couldn't care less about the Crabs," this high-level university official was reputed to have written. "It's only a bargaining chip in our negotiations with the City of Arcata about us buying the ballpark."

Gateway building to offer 7-story climbing wall as Community Benefit

The latest 7-story building to be approved for Gateway construction includes a full-height climbing wall. The Planning Commission was quite pleased at the innovative interpretation of the Gateway Code's Community Benefits program. Rather than have something as mundane in Arcata as a "parklet" with outdoor seating, trees, grass, places to congregate and talk, a place to meet up with friends, and so forth, this climbing wall will satisfy the requirements of all citizens in Arcata to be outdoors in a healthy, engaging environment.

First Gateway project comes to Planning Commission — Commissioners are aghast

At their first meeting of 2025, on January 11th, the Planning Commission found themselves looking at what would be the largest apartment ever to be approved by the Commission in the history of Arcata. The Houston, Texas, developer Max Buildout had set his sights on little Arcata. Six stories tall, directly on the L Street Linear Park, and with 3 Texas-size parking spaces.

Caltrans: Comments on the the draft EIR

There are many, many errors and omissions in the draft EIR for the General Plan update, as it was submitted. Here are the comments as submitted by Caltrans.

What’s in the Community Benefits Program for the Gateway Area Plan?

The Community Benefits Program for Arcata's Gateway Area Plan has gone through many twists and turns and iterations. The basic idea is that if a developer wants to build at four stories and above, there must be some "community benefits" included in the project. The community benefits evolved from a list that was developed by the Community Development Staff and the Planning Commissioners -- with, in theory, input from the public.

Maps of the neighborhoods: Sunset, Bayview, Downtown, Northtown

Maps that show the near-downtown neighborhoods of Arcata. With links to articles about the proposed "Implementation Measures" in the Land Use Element of the General Plan -- to re-zone these neighborhoods for high density housing, including 4-story buildings.

How Student Housing Got Expensive – from The Wall Street Journal

At Cal Poly Humboldt and in much of America, universities are supplying dorm beds for about 1/3 of their students. The universities expect private developers to build off-campus housing -- in town -- for the rest of the housing that students need. When universities expand, they aren't making enough dorms. and the shortage gets worse.

Cal Poly Humboldt – Expansion

Reading time: 5 minutes -- Cal Poly Humboldt looks to expand by 6,000 students, and that may be 3,000 students more than they are building housing for. Adding students also means adding 700-1,000 faculty, staff, and support employees, plus their partners and children. Ancillary jobs in the community would add another 2,000 people. Where are they all going to live?

Capital Improvement Program – 2023-2024

Capital Improvement Program for the City of Arcata. Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024. This 72-page document is dated June 14, 2023.

Andrea Tuttle: Comments on the draft Environmental Impact Report

Long-time Arcata resident Andrea Tuttle has a Ph.D. in environmental planning. She is a former director of the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), a past member of the California Coastal Commission and of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (North Coast), and is a principal consultant in the state Senate. Her letter of comments on the draft Environmental Impact Report includes severe criticism. "The document needs serious editorial scrubbing and a more honest, transparent assessment of the impacts that will really occur from the planned development."

71-year-old Californian explains why she won’t sell her home and downsize

Will Arcata Seniors move out of their homes? How this relates to the Gateway Plan in Arcata. Baby Boomer-age Arcatans may want to downsize -- but they'd want to buy a condominium, not move to a rental. And they'd want storage space, a spare bedroom, and private outdoor space. -- Reading time: 5 minutes.

David Loya: A trail will last “in perpetuity” — unless something else changes

"So as far as I know, at this point, the existing Class One multi-use trail will remain in its current location, in its current configuration, in perpetuity -- you know, until something else changes." -- From the March 12, 2024 Planning Commission meeting. A statement from Arcata's Community Development Director, David Loya, in which he illustrates once again that he uses language in ways that no other English-speaking person does -- and then expects us to believe what he says.

Robert Crumb: A Short History of America

The classic Robert Crumb 12-panel masterpiece of a history of America, as seen from a single street-corner. Video 1 minute 12 seconds.

Letter from Nick Lucchesi – January 15, 2022

A letter from Nick Lucchesi of Pacific Builders, dated January 15, 2022. ** A must-read letter. **

The Draft Arcata General Plan 2045 Update – December 12, 2023

Includes each Element, images of the Table of Contents for easy scanning, the full draft Gateway Area Plan Element. Also includes the full 2019-2027 Housing Element plus the description in the Housing Element of the Gateway Plan -- from 2019.

The Draft Gateway Area Plan – December 2023 – Version 14a.2

The fourth draft of the "Draft Gateway Area Plan" from December 2023. In chapters for easy viewing. Also includes the July 11, 2023, 3rd draft, the 2nd draft from October 2022, and the 1st draft, from December 2021.

What is considered very-low, low, or moderate income in Arcata?

This article looks the State of California dollar figures for what is meant by "very low income" and "low income" and "moderate income" and "above moderate income" here in in Arcata and Humboldt County. These are the 2023 figures are from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

Comments on the draft EIR from Fred Weis — What was submitted

Here's the 88-page document of comments on the draft Environmental Impact Report that was compiled and sent in by Fred Weis. With summary notes and a linked table of contents for easy viewing and to find what is of interest to you.

Maps of the Gateway Area – Selected Articles

Maps of the Gateway Area - Aerial Views - 3D images

The Gish Gallop — and Brandolini’s Law

Brandolini's law, also known as the B.S. Asymmetry Principle, is an internet adage that emphasizes the effort of debunking misinformation, in comparison to the relative ease of creating it in the first place.  It states that the amount of energy needed to refute B.S. is an order of magnitude larger (that is, ten times larger) than is needed to produce it. -------- The Gish Gallop is a rhetorical technique in which a person attempts to overwhelm their opponents by providing an excessive number of arguments with no regard for the accuracy or strength of those arguments.

Colin Fiske on parking policies in the General Plan – February 11, 2024

This is Colin Fiske's suggestions as to parking policies for the General Plan update, from February 11, 2024. We can note that he has written on eliminating the MINIMUM parking requirements -- that is, to have it be that a new apartment is not required to have parking. He does not speak to the MAXIMUM parking that is allowed.

Parking: “No minimum” and “A limit on the Maximum.” The reasons and effects are completely different.

There's a notion that by making it more difficult for people to USE a car, then people won't OWN a car. And perhaps in a mythical future, this may be true. But for now and likely the next 20 or 30 years, people do own cars. And there will need to be a place to park them.

3D images from the Gateway Code — and no Linear Park !

For two years we have been waiting for 3D images of what a build-out might look like for the design of the Gateway Area Plan. Finally, here in February 2024, we have some 3D images of what multiple buildings in the Gateway area might look like.

An annotated Table of Contents for the Draft Environmental Impact Report

Here is an extended and annotated Table of Contents for the 1,990 page Draft Environmental Impact Report. The Contents that came with this 1,990 page report consisted of 32 lines. This annotated contents has over 600 entries, to enable the reader to scan and find items within this document.

In India, tumeric is processed with poisonous lead

The spice tumeric, used for curries and health benefits, is often contaminated with lead, which is used to enhance its yellow color. The FDA has no standards for the amount of lead allowed in spices. In Southeast Asia, where tumeric is grown and widely used, lead poisoning in children is a major issue. Bangladesh recently took steps to prohibit the use of lead additives. India, the world's largest producer and exporter of tumeric, should do the same, but at this time has not.

The Gateway Code along L Street: What could be built

The Form-Based Code for the Gateway area is now called the Gateway Code. It specifies the building height and massing for each of the four districts in the Gateway area:  Barrel, Corridor, Hub, and Neighborhood. I am not implying that 5-story or 7-story buildings will be built -- only that, by code, they can be built.

The Gateway Code (Form-Based Code) – THIRD DRAFT from Ben Noble, February 2024

This is the 3rd draft of the "Gateway Code" -- the form-based code for the Gateway Area Plan, as delivered from the City's consultant Ben Noble. Dated January 31, 2023. This article contains the 3rd draft, the 2nd draft from September 2023, and the 1st draft from June 2023.

The Gateway Barrel District “Illustrative Plan” of 1,500 apartment units

The new General Plan 2045 draft Environmental Impact Report contains an image of an "illustrative plan" that shows a possible build-out design for the Gateway Barrel District. We've been waiting two years for what a potential build-out might look like. This image, plus the new images from Version 3 of the Gateway Code, have finally given us a clue.

The 3D images in the draft Environmental Impact Report

A series of 3D images that show the potential construction of four buildings in the Gateway Area. Rare views of a partial look of potential 7-story buildings. ******** MUST SEE ********

“It’s Halftime in America” – Super Bowl commercial, 2012

The 2-minute Super Bowl commercial from 2012. ---- "It's halftime in America, too. People are out of work and they're hurting. And they're all wondering what they're going to do to make a comeback. And we're all scared, because this isn't a game."

“The Cog” — the two-minute Rube-Goldberg commercial for Honda

In an era of computer-generated images (CGI) and artificial-intelligence graphics, it is fun to look back on the joyfulness and creativity from pre-CGI imaginations, just 20 years ago.

The Documents of the General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report

The General Plan 2045 draft Environmental Impact Report was released to the public on January 29, 2024. These are the sections of the full document, in smaller PDF files for easier reading and downloading.

The General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report is here — 1,990 pages

The General Plan 2045 draft Environmental Impact Report was released to the public on January 29, 2024. The public comment period runs until March 18, 2024, 5 p.m. At 1,990 pages, this draft EIR is another example of the Gish Gallop -- lots of information, but not easy to find what is pertinent.

Planning Commission annual reports to the City Council

Once a year, Arcata's Planning Commission presents a report to the City Council of its activities and progress over the previous year. This article contains videos and written reports as presented in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. Also includes the DRAFT written report for the 2024 presentation.

A dimension beyond that known to Arcata — The Gateway Zone

"You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition. You've just crossed over into... The Twilight Zone." Or crossed over to -- The Gateway Zone.

Andrea Tuttle letter from February 2022 — now 23 months later

READ THIS LETTER ! Arcata resident Andrea Tuttle Ph.D. environmental planning, former Director Calif Dept. Forestry (CDF), past Calif Coastal Commission & North Coast Water Quality Control Board, principal consultant State Senate.

Arcata’s Vision Statement: Pretty good and can get better

The Vision Statement for Arcata's General Plan update is still a work in progress. At a hastily convened joint study session held on November 28, 2023, (after Thanksgiving weekend), the City Council and Planning Commission edited the previous version. They came up with a pretty good Vision Statement -- but still not complete.

Eureka’s Vision Statement — How does it compare to Arcata’s?

Eureka is vastly different from Arcata, and their vision statements reflect this. Arcata's is by far more people-oriented. Much of Eureka's vision statement is about things, buildings, and infrastructure. Overall Arcata's is connected to human feelings and psychological needs. Eureka's seems to say:  If we build a great city, then people will come and enjoy their lives here. Arcata's seems to say: If people enjoy their lives here, then we will have a great city.

Vision Statements of award-winning cities from around the world

How will Arcata look 20 or 50 years from now? A vision statement presents the city council’s ambition for the future. The vision statement sets the bar high in terms of how the city wants to be perceived by the world in the future. This article explores the components of excellent vision statements from around the world. Reading time 8-10 minutes.

Local Coastal Program – Scoping Meeting – December 18, 2023

On December 18, 2023, the Community Development Department hosted a public workshop to learn about, discuss, and contribute comments to Arcata's Local Coastal Program update. The workshop was held on a Monday from 4:30 - 6:00 PM, which prevented regular working folks from attending. The workshop was not recorded by the City. This is the presentation, in text and slides, from Amber Leavitt -- Coastal Resiliency Supervisor, North Coast District, California Coastal Commission. The comments from the participants will be assembled by City Staff and made available soon.

Local Coastal Program: “Because the public is super-confused.”

A conversation from the Local Coastal Plan workshop, December 18, 2023. "Who actually determines the ultimate scope of the EIR? And at what point do they determine that? You just need to clarify to the public -- because the public is super-confused."

Senator Margaret Chase Smith: Honesty and Trust in the Gateway Area Plan

Margaret Chase Smith served in U.S. Congress for 33 years, from 1940 to 1973, both in the House and as a Senator. She was the first woman to run for the presidential nomination of a major political party. She was a strong supporter of the space program, increased educational funding, civil rights, and Medicare. Her words on TRUST may be useful while we are looking at the Gateway Area Plan and Arcata's General Plan.

The Iceberg of the Gateway Plan — and the cockroaches, mosquitoes, termites, rats, and rot.

Everyone knows the Iceberg Theory. What you see is only 10% of the iceberg. The rest of it is hidden underwater. That would be 90% that's unknown. The same is true of the Gateway Area Plan. How can anyone make a decision if 90% of what's necessary to make that decision is unknown? The answer is: You can't.

Could Gateway’s Barrel District be 100% free of cars? — Part 2

Culdesac became an urbanist darling in the US for its project in Tempe, a built-from-scratch zero-driving development that is transforming a vacant lot near a light rail stop into the kind of dense and walkable neighborhood that advocates say could be a model for other places trying to shun American-style car-centricity.

Arcata Ballpark – Entrance Alternatives and Survey

Arcata's Crabs ballpark is being updated. The City of Arcata has a survey so the public can weigh in on which of three façade and entrance designs they like.  The problem is:  The images in the survey are too small. See larger images and close-ups of the entry designs here.

“Infill Opportunity Zones” — What are they, and where are they?

Reading time: 5 minutes -- There are many references to the City's four "Infill Opportunity Zones" as identified in the 2019 Housing Element. "These infill zones were areas designated for high-density redevelopment to help meet the housing objectives the City has." The actual map is not so easy to find. Here is the map, with detailed views and some commentary.

President of local NAACP speaks to the City Council on no community input

Dr. Johnson is Director of the Multicultural & Equity Center at College of the Redwoods. He is the president of the local Eureka chapter of the NAACP. On December 12, 2023, Dr. Johnson spoke to the City Council on the lack of open public input in the process of selecting Arcata's new Chief of Police.

Nicaragua’s dictator goes after Miss Universe

Miss Nicaragua was crowned as Miss Universe. She has been widely portrayed as a symbol of opposition to Nicaragua's dictator, Daniel Ortega, and led to joyful demonstrations of protest against the repressive government. Here's the story. Reading time: 3-8 minutes.

Lessons from a Modern Master of Low-Rise Housing

Good design is the make-or-break element on whether dense housing is livable and uplifting or whether it feels packed and depressing. Affordable housing should not be burdened with poor design. And just because we are in need of housing here in Arcata does not mean that we should accept poor designs and general unawareness of the human needs for enjoyable living spaces. Reading time: 9 minutes.

The Orange Juice Test — and the absence of Home Ownership in Gateway

Reading time 2 minutes -- "The Orange Juice Test" is a way of determining which people are capable of solving a difficult problem, and which people are not. Home ownership in the Gateway and truly affordable housing are large problems. Difficult and demanding, but not impossible. "The Orange Juice Test" helps to determine if a specific person is capable of giving us an honest and practical solution.

Larger issues for the Council and Commission to consider – November 28, 2023

The letter below was sent on November 28, 2023 to the members of the City Council, the Planning Commission, and the Community Development Director. It outlines some (not all) of the larger issues regarding the expansion of housing that have not been adequately brought up for discussion or resolution. Estimate reading time 6 minutes.

Potential Brown Act violations: December 12, 2023 Planning Commission meeting

The agenda packet for the December 12, 2023, Planning Commission meeting involves numerous seeming violations of the Brown Act. This is a letter to the City Attorney asking for his opinions. Estimated reading time: 9 minutes; can easily be skimmed.

The Brown Act presentation to the City Council — December 6, 2023

The presentation on the Ralph M. Brown Act, from the December 6, 2023, Arcata City Council meeting. By City Attorney Doug White and associate attorney Nubia Goldstein. With questions and discussion from the City Council members and comments from members of the public. 1 hour 10 minutes.

Arcata City Council Protocol Manual – 2021

The text of the 2021 Arcata City Council Protocol Manual. Includes the City's code of ethics and a complete copy of the Ralph M. Brown Act.

Brown Act violations – A letter to our City Attorney

This letter discusses some of the numerous Brown Act iolations we've experienced here in Arcata. It was sent to the new (3 months at that time) City Attorney, Doug White, and to the City Manager; Community Development Director, and to the City Council on the evening of December 4, 2023. A presentation on the Brown Act was on the agenda for the Council's December 6 meeting. There will be further articles on this issue as we learn more from the City Attorney. Estimate reading time: 20 minutes. Can be skimmed.

A list of Inclusionary Housing Programs in California

A summary of the contents of the CCRH Inclusionary Housing database, with information on the rental programs. The database has information on 150 programs in California. This list is sorted with the highest percentage of minimum affordable housing at the top.

Colleges must pay for increased traffic, firefighting and other costs caused by campus expansions

Are California universities required to contribute funds for increased traffic, firefighting, wastewater capacity, and other costs caused by campus expansions? The answer is Yes, they are.

A clash over housing pits UC Berkeley against its neighbors

"Additional students will put more pressure on the local housing market and increase rents for everybody, hitting low-income students and low-income nonstudent families the hardest."  An interview with Phil Bokovoy, leader of the group "Save Berkeley's Neighborhoods."

The California Inclusionary Housing Programs searchable database

Do you want to look up what the Inclusionary Housing requirements are in, say, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Berkeley, Santa Cruz, West Hollywood, or Goleta? Here's where you can find that data, for both renting and owning. The results can be viewed on-line or printed out. The California Inclusionary Housing Programs searchable database.

500 or 3,500 apartments in Gateway? Please clarify.

The Gateway Area Plan calls for a build-out of 3,500 apartments. If each building were the size of the block-long Sorrel Place, this would amount to 70 or 80 Sorrel-Place-sized buildings. It also calls for a build-out of 277,000 square feet of commercial space. This is equivalent to about 21 buildings that are the size of the Arcata Co-op, or the equivalent of about 150 or 200 standard retail, office, or restaurant spaces. **** There is not physical room for 70 or 80 block-long buildings. There's not room for half that many.

When will the General Plan and the Gateway Plan be completed?

When will the Gateway Area Plan and the General Plan be completed? Who knows? In 2022, we were told by the end of 2022. In 2023, we were told by the end of 2023. Now we are told that it'll be possibly around Winter 2024. Reading time: 3 minutes.

Arcata’s Housing Element calls for 20% affordable housing for the Gateway Plan. What happened?

Arcata's Housing Element specifies that 20% of the new apartments in the Gateway area be affordable at 80% mean income level. The current draft plan is satisfied with just 6%. Have we given up on seeing affordable housing in the Gateway area? Is the City of Arcata abandoning the requirements of the Housing Element? Reading time 4 minutes.

The November 15 agenda item on Gateway policy: Yet more Brown Act violations

The agenda new business item for the November 15, 2023, Arcata City Council meeting -- on adding Gateway plan policies to the General Plan as city-wide policies, and possibly not retaining the Gateway Area Plan -- included a variety of improprieties and falsehoods. Among them were distinct, major Brown Act violations.

Exposing David Loya’s notions: Retain the Gateway Area Plan for Gateway only, or make its policies be City-wide?

Reading time 5 to 20 minutes. Where does David Loya get his ideas? What is the source of the notion of dissolving the Gateway Area Plan and make its policies be city-wide. This will be discussed at the November 15, 2023, Council meeting and hopefully will be rejected. Article includes videos, transcriptions, specific proposed policies and a "What's next?" section of what is still missing (after two years of talking) from the Gateway Area Plan.

Extend the Gateway Area Plan policies to ALL of Arcata? Absolutely not!

Arcata’s Community Development Directory, David Loya, is asking the City Council whether the policies that are in process of being developed for the Gateway area should be put into the General Plan – so that the policies can be in place throughout all of Arcata. And, yes, he is asking for 4, 5, 6, and possibly 7-story buildings be allowed -- everywhere in Arcata.

Mimi & Richard Fariña: “A Swallow Song” for peace

Richard & Mimi Fariña -- from "Reflections in a Crystal Wind" album, 1965. **** A song for peace. **** "And will the breezes blow the petals from your hand / And will some loving ease your pain / And will the silence strike confusion from your soul / And will the swallows come again?

“It was the Red, White, and Blue making war on the poor”

Richard & Mimi Fariña -- House Un-American Blues Activity Dream. A 1965 "protest" song about the plight of a man who happens to be travelling in Cuba when Castro takes over...and is thrown in jail as a result. --------------- It was the red, white and blue making war on the poor. Blind Mother Justice on a pile of manure.

Many Arcatans today worry that our city is losing its identity

Reading time: 3 to 6 minutes -- Many Arcatans today worry that our city is losing its identity. Yet the core of that identity is not based on who among us owns a home and which of us may never own a home, or our background or our ethnicity. It is the ideals we share, the good we hold in common. -- From an essay by Robert Reich.

Arcata’s Racial Equity outreach for the General Plan update is a sham

Reading time: 6 minutes -- Arcata's attempt at inclusion with the General Plan Update produced a report based on exactly 13 non-white people. This is shameful -- and doubly shameful that it is seen as acceptable. What in the world kind of "inclusion" is this? Couldn't there be additional outreach here?

David Loya’s L Street video is a big Brown Act violation

Reading time: 12-15 minutes. The Brown Act requires our public officials to tell the whole story. Not part of the story -- the whole story. They are required to include all the facts, and not just that portion of the facts that they want to be brought to the open. The David Loya "Proposed Circulation" video contains misrepresentations, omissions of fact, misstatements, and downright falsehoods. As such, it is a blatant violation of California's Brown Act.

The Brown Act State law in Arcata — Violations and comments

The Brown Act State law in Arcata Violations and Comments The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The...

Moi comes to Washington, D.C.

In the Ecuadorian Amazon, indigenous Huaorani people waged an exhausting battle against the American petroleum interests that have begun drilling for two hundred million barrels of raw crude under their lands. Then Moi, a Huaorani leader, decided to try the diplomatic route and come to Washington DC. "There are so many cars," he said. "How long have they been here? A million years? What will you do in ten more years? In ten years, your world will be pure metal. Did your god do this?"

Could Gateway’s Barrel District be 100% free of cars?

How about taking a big section of the Gateway area that could have housing for a thousand people -- and making it entire car-free from the start -- by designing it that way. Includes articles about the Culdesac car-free housing development in Tempe, Arizona. Reading and viewing time 7-15 minutes.

Mass Timber Technology in 4- to 6-story buildings

Photos and text, viewing time 3 minutes -- The start of a series of mid-height 4-5-6-story buildings utilizing Mass Timber construction techniques.

New Commissioner Matt Simmons proposes huge changes to established neighborhoods

Planning Commissioner Matt Simmons proposed a change in the zoning of established Arcata neighborhoods, from Residential Low Density to Residential High Density. What is behind his rationale? Would such zoning change help people find housing?

What if Gateway apartments had rooftop gardens?

Photos and text: 4 minutes -- What would Gateway density be like if every building had a flat roof with outside patio space -- and an outdoor garden? What would that feel like for the tenants? What message would Arcata be sending to the world -- about who we are and what's important to us?

Garden Village in Berkeley: Pre-Fab modular housing that could be used for Arcata

Reading time: 10 minutes, or skim through the photos for an overview. -- Modular housing could be an answer to affordable housing in Arcata. Modules can be assembled into apartment buildings 40% more quickly and 20% cheaper than traditional construction. This article centers on the Garden Village Apartments in Berkeley CA.

Santa Cruz takes building height and inclusionary housing to the VOTERS

Reading time: 8 minutes -- Citizens in Santa Cruz have a ballot measure to provide 25% affordable housing in new construction, and required a vote of the people for buildings over 8 stories.

Rentals Percentage in Arcata: “Do the math”

Original article May 2022, updated October 2023. Arcata's Gateway plan could add 3,500 apartments to our town, as Cal Poly Humboldt expands. Unless more than 60% of all new apartments are owner-occupied condos, Arcatans will have a small chance of owning their homes.

Climate Change in the media — over 150 years ago

Reading time: 6 minutes -- Climate change and the effects of Carbon Dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels was all discussed in the press over 150 years ago. Here are some articles from 1867, 1896, 1912, and more.

The September 25, 2023, Gateway Open House meeting – Comments from the public

Reading time: 10 minutes -- These are the comments that the public submitted at the Sept 25 open house meeting. Typed out and separated by categories, to make it easier for you to read.

What if public transit was like Uber? A small city ended its bus service to find out

Estimated reading time:  6 minutes -- Wilson NC replaced its fixed-route large-bus public transit system with an on-demand minivan microtransit system.

CC-PC study session – Pre-Meeting Policy Ideas – Sept. 26, 2023

For their September 26, 2023, joint study session, City Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners were invited to supply their pre-meeting policy ideas. Their ideas were supplied a few hours prior to the meeting, as an addendum to the standard agenda packet. Each person's comments are included in this article.

Arcata’s Gateway Plan, described by Artificial Intelligence

Reading time:  3 minutes -- This article is presented here not as a guide, but for our smiles. How does an AI program describe our Gateway Area Plan? It is not entirely accurate in places. But for an overall view of the Gateway Plan, it's actually pretty good.

Impacts of the State Density Bonus Law, described by Artificial Intelligence

Reading time:  3 minutes -- This is an AI-generated essay about the impacts of the State Density Bonus Law. It's here partly for our education and partly for our smiles. Yet as an overall view, it's not bad.

The September 25, 2023, Gateway Open House meeting – Synopsis and photos

Reading time: 6-8 minutes or longer -- Last night's Gateway Open House meeting was a minor success. Despite being held with just 2-1/2 weeks' notice and on a date that ignored a major religious holiday -- and on a weekday late-afternoon, meaning that it was largely inaccessible to community members with regular jobs and people with a child or children -- there was a good turnout. Over the 4 PM to 6 PM time of the two-hour drop-in meeting, an estimated 60 people attended.

Gateway Code form-based code – September 22, 2023 version — What’s changed

Reading time:  15-30 minutes. -- The second draft of the Gateway Code (form-based code) came out on September 22, 2023. This article compares the details of this draft as compared with the June 5 1st draft. There is much that is missing. This Gateway code is in need of much work. In my view, it is inadequate, and will lead to sub-standard results. 

Please measure apartments by number of bedrooms, not number of units

Reading time: 2 minutes. -- If we measure our success in producing housing for people by counting the number of bedrooms, this will have the effect of rewarding builders of studio and one-bedroom apartments at the expense of two-, three-, and larger dwelling spaces. I propose that this is not what we want as a community.

Density: How many units per acre for apartments around Humboldt

Here are examples of the density, shown in units per acre, of local known buildings in Humboldt County and specific buildings outside of our area. Includes a discussion of Net units per acre vs. Gross units per acre, and number of bedrooms vs. number of units.

Louis Sauer, architect: Low-rise dense housing in an urban setting

Reading time: 5 minutes -- The architect Louis Sauer specialized in high-quality, high-density, low rise housing. His urban designs were typically just three stories tall, with configurations of intertwined townhomes, set in patterns so that each home had a separate and private yard. 

Tabatha Miller – Divesting Fossil Fuel corporations from pension investments

Read 21 minute video or Watch slides and listen to audio -- A presentation to the City Council on 9/20/2023 by Tabatha Miller, Finance Director for the City of Arcata. SUBJECT: Recent State bills involving the divestment from fossil fuel investments, and how this may affect Arcata's pension funds. This is a superb summary of the situation, with clear easy-to-understand graphics. Overall an excellent presentation. Thank you, Tabatha!

Caltrans looks at Sea Level Rise along Highway 101 – a presentation

A presentation by Clancy De Smet, Caltrans senior specialist and Climate Change Adaptation Branch Chief, with a discussion of sea level rise and actions by Caltrans in this area. With many graphic images and commentary from Clancy De Smet. From the September 20, 2023, meeting of the Arcata City Council.  With discussion from the City Council and public comment. 24-1/2 minutes.

GHD proposal: Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Planning Services

On September 20, 2023, the Arcata City Council awarded a contract for $154,890 to the Eureka branch of GHD for Arcata Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Planning Services. This article contains the video of that section of the meeting, the staff report on this business item, and the GHD proposal, dated September 7.

To the Council/Commission: A high-density building, the State Density Bonus Housing Law, and reducing regulatory costs

Three new articles: A high-density building, the State Density Bonus Housing Law, and reducing regulatory costs. The State Density Bonus Housing Law and how it affects us here in Arcata is the single most important issue facing the Planning Commission with regard to the success of the Gateway Plan.

Can better public spaces revolutionize the way we live?

What happens when an expert in building public spaces is given the reins of a European capital? “If you design better public spaces, you change the relationship residents have with a city, and also with each other.” -**** When the mayor is an architect, a civic activist, and an advocate for fewer cars and better bike lanes, this is what can happen. ****

State Density Bonus Housing Law — How it affects us here in Arcata

Reading time 12 minutes -- "Project proponents will be driven by the Density Bonus provisions. And our design standards and Community Benefits programs are unlikely to be implemented due to waivers and concessions." So said David Loya. We need to look at just how the State Density Bonus Law will affect the Gateway Area Plan, and what decisions can be made so we get housing built in the form that we want.

“Mio” apartments in Seattle — Density of 205 units per acre

Reading time: 5 minutes -- The "Mio" apartments in Seattle are 41 units with a density of 205 units per acre. I present it here not as something we can copy for Arcata, but as an example of what can be done. I do not like all of the design choices, nor believe that this design in its entirety would be suitable for us. Yet I feel we can learn and profit by looking at its design.

“Gateway Housing” Open House meeting: September 25th, 4 to 6 p.m.

The City of Arcata is holding an open house on “Gateway Housing” at the D Street Neighborhood Center, on the university side of 101 at 13th & D.  This will be on Monday afternoon, September 25th, from 4 to 6 p.m. If you are not able to attend that meeting , you can enter your comments here on Arcata1.com.

Enter your Comments on the Gateway Area Plan

Enter your Comments on the Gateway Area Plan -- Arcata is holding an open house on "Gateway Housing" on September 25th, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the D Street Neighborhood Center. There will be a comment box there for you to submit your views, suggestions, and ideas. OR ENTER YOUR COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, VIEWPOINTS, AND IDEAS HERE. Thank you !

Dr. Wendy Ring: The Scotia Biomass power plant operation needs to be shut down

Presentation from Dr. Wendy Ring on the carbon emissions, pollution, and health hazards of the Scotia biomass-burning electrical power plant. 21 minute video plus 15-minutes reading material.

Previously on the Home Page….

A collection of images from front pages on Arcata1.com in the past.

The cost of Regulations when constructing new housing: How much, and how can it be reduced?

Basic reading time: 10 minutes -- The Gateway Plan and recent & upcoming State laws all will tremendously help with the regulatory costs of building new housing. Here in Arcata, the Gateway Area Plan is specifically designed to lower the regulatory and development costs of new construction. Includes a Terner Center report on state legislation and the real costs of housing.

US Congress Research reports: Housing Trends & Policy Considerations

Reading time: 5 minutes to an hour -- At their September 12, 2023, Planning Commission Yodowitz introduced a Congressional Research Report on housing. This article contains that 16-page report , excerpts, and commentary. Plus 3 shorter reports (3, 4, 5 pages) and links to the full 50-page report to Congress.

US Congress Research reports: Housing Issues report – July 14, 2023

Read time: Charts 2 minutes. Full report 60 minutes -- The report to Congress from June 2023 on housing. Includes 4 easy-to-view charts:  Median rent prices, Median sale prices, Mortgage rates, Consumer price index for Shelter expenses.

Inclusionary Zoning, objective design standards approved in Santa Cruz

Read time: 7 minutes. Skim: 2 minutes. -- We can look at how Santa Cruz has dealt with some of the same issues we face here in Arcata. Santa Cruz already had an existing 20% inclusionary requirement. New proposal: Projects with a 25% inclusionary requirement get a 30% density bonus. Projects with a 30% inclusionary requirement get a 50% density bonus. Other issues: Public hearings for new larger construction.

In India: Drug given to cattle killed 90% of the vultures. Result: 500,000 human deaths

Reading time: 3 minutes -- Nine species of vulture can be found living in India, but most are now in danger of extinction after a rapid and major population collapse in recent decades. The vulture population has dropped 99% -- from 40 million to 19,000. The result: Rotting cow carcasses, spreading disease, and over 500,000 human deaths.

Solar Shading Impacts – video and still images

Three 35-second videos - QUICK to watch. Plus descriptions, images, and commentary on Solar Shading situation. Arcata's northern latitude makes for a low angle of sun in the Winter months. Any building will make a shadow in the space next to it. The taller the building, the longer the shadow. *** In terms of determining what the solar shading caused by taller buildings on specific sites, unless we have some kind of images of the extent of the solar shading we are "flying blind." 

Environmental Planner Aldaron Laird: Local sea level rise consequences are going to be ‘mind boggling’

Reading time: 10 minutes -- Question: On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is the issue of sea level rise in this area? Answer: I would say it’s a 10. The significance of the change that we’re going to see over the next 40 years is going to be mind boggling.

David Loya “Solar Shading Impacts 3D GIS Analysis” video

Reading/viewing time: 6 minutes -- Transcription and all images from the video of Shading Analysis. This is a step in the right direction, but completely inadequate. It fails to fully illustrate what the results of solar shading would be with multiple 6-story buildings in the Gateway area.

California Coastal Commission hears about the Gateway Area Plan

Reading time: 4 minutes -- At some point in the approval process of the Gateway Area Plan, State law requires that the plan come to the California Coastal Commission for review. This is a short introduction of the Gateway Area Plan, as presented to the Coastal Commission on September 7, 2023.

Where it’s good for developers, it’s not so good for people

Jeff Lorber is an internationally renown Grammy-award-winning jazz musician and music producer. He is a touring musician who regularly travels all over the U.S. and all over the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt projected 2,000 more students for Fall. Actual enrollment increase: 98

In March, 2023, Cal Poly Humboldt projected over 2,000 more students for the Fall 2023 semester than there were in the Fall 2022 semester. Current figures indicate there are only 98 more students enrolled this Fall.

The Myth of “Privately-Owned Publicly-Accessible” Open Spaces

Reading time: 14 minutes -- The "Privately-Owned Publicly-Accessible" Open Space program is another ill-conceived aspect of the Gateway Plan. Again, noble in concept -- and unlikely to give desired results in its execution. A look at the design of the Privately-Owned Publicly-Accessible Open Space program, to see how it can be improved. With maps, commentary, and SOLUTIONS.

Dan Burden “Why Walkability Matters” — in Humboldt, July 2023 – Videos

NOW INCLUDES EUREKA COMMUNITY MEETING. Videos made during walkability expert Dan Burden's visit to Humboldt County on July 22-25, 2023. Free events took place in Arcata, McKinleyville, Eureka, and Blue Lake.

Should Cal Poly Humboldt Students Fear Fire? — 3-minute video from Eric Black

3-minute video by Eric Black, dated February 1, 2023. The CSU Board of Trustees had met the week before to consider Cal Poly Humboldt's planned construction of the 6-story and 7-story off-campus dorms at the Craftsman's Mall site in Arcata. Despite the Arcata Fire District's strong disagreement with the Final Environmental Impact Report regarding their inability to provide fire protection at the dorms, the project was approved.

Arcata Fire District Director: Eric Loudenslager – August 4, 2022

Eric Loudenslager, Board of Directors member of the Arcata Fire Protection District, weighs in on some of the challenges of the Gateway Plan, and some requests for information and involvement.

L Street as a new road: What the City Planners were proposing

The Full-Width Linear Park vs. the proposed K-L Street “Couplet” -- In terms of what the L Street pathway contributes to the joy and humanity of the Creamery District, if the southbound traffic currently on K Street were instead routed to L Street — Then the L Street Pathway as we know it and love it would have ceased to exist.

The Gateway Area Plan: A modest proposal

Partial build-out of the Gateway Area Plan. The Plan was finally adopted in 2031, following nine years of discussion and community input. A minor typographical error in the final version resulted in a 70-story maximum height, rather than the previously agreed-upon 7 stories. As anticipated, many developers opted to build smaller buildings than the allowable maximum.

First Gateway City Council / Planning Commission Joint Study Session – August 22, 2023

The first Gateway City Council / Planning Commission Joint Study Session took place on August 23, 2023. At this meeting, the three-person sitting Council unanimously affirmed that there will be no new road on L Street. The concept of a couplet with K Street and L Street is to be eliminated from the draft Gateway Area Plan. There is plenty to write about as take-aways from this meeting. Much good was said, and many misconstrued or false notions expressed also. All that will be in a separate article.

Pre-Meeting Ideas from our City Councilmembers: City Council – Joint Study Session – August 22, 2023

As a preview to the August 22, 2023, joint City Council / Planning Commission study session, the City Council says a big NO*NO*NO to the L Street Couplet, and a Yes to the Woonerf and full-width Linear Park. PLUS - thoughts on Inclusionary Zoning and BUILDING HEIGHTS in the Gateway area.

Planwest 3D Massing Diagrams are non-existent — No 3D diagrams to evaluate the Gateway heights and massing

Reading time: 4 minutes -- The "Gateway Area Form-Based Code Enhanced Content & Outreach" contract amendment with Planwest for $118,000 was approved at the December 21, 2022 Council meeting. The "Plan Area Massing Diagram" would be especially useful at this time, as we are discussing massing and building heights. Eight months later, and it's never been delivered.

Four Decision-Making Styles: Analytical, Directive, Conceptual, and Behavioral

Reading time: 5 minutes -- The Plan is not just about just creating housing. The Plan needs to be about Community. These are are PEOPLE-ORIENTED NEEDS that are part of the promises of the Gateway Plan, but not likely to occur unless we actually take some action.

3D Modeling and Visualizations have been removed from the draft Gateway Area Plan

The 3D Modeling and Visualizations have been removed from the draft Gateway Area Plan. There was a placeholder page titled "Visualizations" (Page 42) and now that page is gone. On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, the Council & Commission are being asked -- once again -- to discuss building heights. And they do not have the basic tools that any planner would need in order to accomplish this.

The Planning Commission did NOT give a “Recommendation for adoption” to the City Council on the Gateway Plan

The Agenda Packet for the August 22 joint City Council / Planning Commission meeting has this in the staff report: "The Planning Commission completed its initial review of the Gateway Area Plan and the Gateway Code on July 11, 2023, and provided a recommendation to the Council for adoption."  ******** What the Planning Commission provided to the City Council is not recommended for ADOPTION -- just discussion.

What is the timeline for Council and Public input, discussion, and review of the Gateway Plan and the General Plan?

Councilmembers and Commissioners: Please make it clear that there is absolutely no interest or wish for you to "develop a final draft of each of the General Plan Elements, the Gateway Area Plan, and the Form-Based Code by November 17, 2023" as is suggested in the draft for the framework for the August 22 meeting.

David Loya video: Gateway Area Plan Mobility, Trails, and Couplets — and L Street

28-1/2 minute video and a full transcription -- what it contains and what it omits. Discusses "Plan B" alternatives for a K-L Street couplet FOR THE FIRST TIME. Minimizes and omits the issues with putting a new road on L Street. Discusses the issues with the alternatives to L Street, and neglects to mention THOSE SAME ISSUES about L Street. Declines to discuss the most obvious alternate to a K-L Street couplet, which is: No new road there at all.

How much Gateway housing, really? 3,500 … 500 … or none?

Are you looking for clarity about how much housing and what kinds of housing might come out of the Gateway Area Plan? Will it be 500 apartments built over a 20 years period? After all this work of developing the Gateway Plan, it is quite possible that very little Gateway housing will be built over the next five or ten years.

Couplet on L? The L Street Pathway as we know it and love it will cease to exist

The City wants to destroy a quiet strolling pathway so that car and truck traffic will be split between L Street and K Street. Meanwhile, cities all over the world are attempting to get rid of car traffic in favor of walkable public spaces. A "Plan B" has been promised since January, 2022. An inadequate discussion of alternatives finally emerged in August 2023, over a year and a half later.

David Loya on Supply and Demand — and how that relates to Affordable Housing

"So the way that we add equity into our community... is by increasing the demand." David Loya speaks at the Feb 12 2022 Planning Commission on housing supply and demand. This article was originally written May 30, 2022 -- over a year ago. It exposes the vast misunderstandings and distorted viewpoints of David Loya, Arcata's Community Development Director, with regard to what determines the costs of housing. Please read and see if you can make any sense out of what Mr. Loya is proposing for Arcata.

Transportation Safety Committee Meeting – January 18, 2022

The Transportation Safety Committee met on January 18, 2022 — just six weeks after the draft Gateway Plan first came out. Gateway-related issues amounted to about 2-1/2 hours of that meeting. What is here is a 37-minute section of the audio of that meeting and a transcription of what was said. “This is an opportunity to really put our money where our mouth is in terms of making it a little less of a car-centric area.”

Dave Ryan says: Abandon the L-K Street Couplet & Embrace the Pathway

At the August 2, 2022, Transportation Safety Committee meeting Chair Dave Ryan spoke for 9 minutes on just why the plan's L-K Street Couplet should be abandoned -- and replaced with an L Street Linear Park and walking pathway -- and why this is the heart of a successful Gateway plan for Arcata.

Where are the 3D images? We need them now, more than ever before.

Solar shading, building massing, and the "feel" on the street are easily and quickly seen in a 3D image. Without the 3D image, every design aspect becomes theoretical. With 3D images, the proposed buildings become more real. Despite this, the city planners have provided practically no 3D images.

3D image showing step-backs on the the St. Vinnie’s parcel

This image was presented as a one-page handout at the June 13, 2023, Planning Commission meeting. It is a still image from the video presentation “Building and Massing” of the St. Vinnie's site on K Street.

Draft Gateway Plan Step-backs: The illustration does not show what the Plan really is

We're using Form-Based Code as a backbone of the Plan's design, with illustrations and architectural diagrams to show the intentions of the code. Unfortunately, the drafts for the Gateway Area Plan use illustrations that often misleading or actually false. It can be said that these are only "drafts"... but I think that it's time for some reality.

The Draft Gateway Area Plan – July 11, 2023 – Version 3

The third version of the DRAFT Gateway Area Plan. Much has been added -- and lots of internal errors are not yet corrected.

“Confused About Arcata’s Gateway Area Plan?” Lost Coast Outpost , January 29, 2022

This article appeared in the Lost Coast Outpost on January 29, 2022. Written by Stephanie McGeary. At that time, the Gateway Plan was proposed to be sent to the City Council by April 2022 -- 1-1/2 years ago.

Missing Middle Housing: A proven strategy for Affordability and Walkable Neighborhoods

Video from CivicWell. 1 hour 26 minutes. Also incudes the audio file -- Download and listen as a Podcast.

Arcata General Plan 2045 Environmental Impact Report – Notice of Preparation

The "Notice of Preparation" for the EIR for the Arcata General Plan 2045, including includes analysis of the Draft Gateway Area Plan as a new  element of the General Plan. Dated:  February 2, 2022.

A vision of sustainable housing for all of humanity – Vishaan Chakrabarti

Vishaan Chakrabarti in a 10-minute TED talk. I believe that the answer is hiding in plain sight, that there is what I call a “Goldilocks” scale that sits between the scale of housing and towers: two- to three-story housing that should actually look very familiar to most of you, because we built the most beloved parts of our cities with it.

Today a young man on acid realized….

Bill Hicks was an American comedian who died in 1994 at the age of 32. His lines include: Watching television is like taking black spray paint to your third eye. -- I am a misanthropic humanist. Do I like people? They're great... in theory.

State Density Bonus Laws / Inclusionary Zoning / Community Benefits — David Loya presentation

“And our design standards and Community Benefits programs are unlikely to be implemented due to waivers and concessions.” --- Arcata's Director of Community Development David Loya has provided this video presentation of the various affordable housing programs. 15-1/2 minutes, July 28, 2023. VIDEO and full TRANSCRIPTION.

Linear Park and Woonerf examples for us to look at

What concepts for a full-width Linear Park in the L Street Corridor would work for Arcata? Here are some images from other cities to show what's worked for them.

Former Commissioner John Barstow: Building Height, the Form-Based Code

John Barstow served Arcata on the Planning Commission and the earlier Design Review Committee for 30 years. He retired in October, 2022. He favored a four-story building height and was not optimistic about the Community Benefits program. He also recognized that "The development of the Form-Based Code is really the hard part of this process."

The “Other Considerations” table – Multiple versions

The "Other Considerations" table supposedly consists of a list of recommendations for changes to the draft Gateway Plan that were in conflict with the draft. The first table came out four months after the 2nd Gateway draft arrived, and contains only a small fraction of the comments from the City's Committees, from the public, and even from the Planning Commissioners that "do not comport" with the official viewpoints.

Infill Market Study – Community Engagement Report – December 10, 2019

"Workforce Housing Financial Feasibility Analysis" April 2023 - 38 pages. Included with Infill Market Study - January 2021

Infill Market Study – “Workforce Housing Financial Feasibility Analysis” – April, 2023

"Workforce Housing Financial Feasibility Analysis" April 2023 - 38 pages. Included with Infill Market Study - January 2021

Infill Market Study – January 2021

Arcata Infill Market Study - January 2021 - 105 pages, plus appendix "Workforce Housing Financial Feasibility Analysis" 38 pages

Housing Element – 6th Cycle – 2019-2027 – Implementation Measures

Implementation Measures - City of Arcata Housing Element - 6th Cycle - 2019-2027 Adopted December 18, 2019

City of Arcata Housing Element – 6th Cycle – 2019-2027

City of Arcata Housing Element - 6th Cycle - 2019-2027 - Adopted December 18, 2019. THREE DOCUMENTS: The Housing Element, the Appendices, and the Implementation Measures.

The flag of Brazil: “Love, Order, and Progress” — but “Love” was left out

A brief history of the Flag of Brazil. In 1899, the old monarchy's coat of arms was replaced with an orb with the positivist motto “Love, Order and Progress” -- but “Love” was left out because of a lack of space.

Podium Construction: New apartment buildings all look the same

The buildings are five to seven stories tall and have a boxy shape. The ground floor is a parking garage, sometimes combined with shops. Four or five stories of apartments or condos sit on top of this concrete “podium,” so they’re often called podium buildings. They cover a large area compared to older apartment buildings, often taking up a considerable portion of a block face. These buildings are prevalent because they maximize developers’ profits by balancing leasable floor area (more is better) with construction cost (less is better). Simply put, podium buildings represent a proven formula for creating marketable housing at a reasonable cost.

What We Owe Our Trees – The New Yorker magazine

"Even if you haven’t been to the woods lately, you probably know that the forest is disappearing. In the past ten thousand years, the Earth has lost about a third of its forest, which wouldn’t be so worrying if it weren’t for the fact that almost all that loss has happened in the past three hundred years or so. As much forest has been lost in the past hundred years as in the nine thousand before"

Why do so many new apartment buildings seemingly look the same?

SHORT ARTICLE *** If you think every new apartment looks the same these days, you aren’t alone. Boxy mid-rise structures have cropped up in cities across the country, drawing the ire of neighbors and some architecture critics who find the buildings bland or downright ugly. ***** Why do so many of these “podium” apartments – built in cities from Nashville to Los Angeles and which typically include retail stores or parking on the first floor – look the same? And does that even matter during a housing crisis when more units are needed? 

America’s New Apartment Buildings Look the Same

LONG ARTICLE *** These buildings are in almost every U.S. city. They range from three to seven stories tall and can stretch for blocks. They’re usually full of rental apartments, but they can also house college dorms, condominiums, hotels, or assisted-living facilities. Close to city centers, they tend toward a blocky, often colorful modernism; out in the suburbs, their architecture is more likely to feature peaked roofs and historical motifs. Their outer walls are covered with fiber cement, metal, stucco, or bricks.

Urban Field Studio Report: A critique

A critique of the Urban Field Studio report from the July 11, 2023, Planning Commission packet. There is further critique following the Urban Field Studio presentation at that PC meeting, available also on Arcata1.com.

Urban Field Studio Report – Gateway Code Site Testing

Urban Field Studio evaluated the feasibility of the current draft Form-Based Code. They were assigned four specific sites, and asked to show whether the aims and goals of the draft Gateway Area Plan could, in their view, be achieved at those sites, particularly on being able to achieve the density of housing that the draft Plan calls for.

No Parking in the Gateway area? Banks may be unwilling to provide financing

The Gateway Area Plan has a maximum number of parking spaces allowed -- either one parking space for every 4 apartment units or one space for every 2 apartment units. The financial lenders and the developers themselves may be unwilling to accept this.

Cal Poly purchases Arcata Creekside 16 acres

Northcoast Journal article, September 1, 2022. Cal Poly purchases Arcata Creekside 16 acres; pays triple the appraised land value. The purchase eliminates this site from the housing and assisted living plans by the non-profit Life Plan Humboldt.

Gateway Parking: 48 Drivers = 6 parking spaces

In the Gateway Area, the minimum number of parking spaces required is Zero. That is, if a developer wants to build a 48-unit apartment building, it's possible that there will be no parking spaces for those tenants. But at the same time, there'd be a MAXIMUM of 12 spaces -- even if the apartments had 2 or 3 bedrooms. My guess? Developers will not build by these constrictive rules.

Gateway Density and Feasibility Study – Introduction

This is the introduction to the lengthy article on the Urban Field Studio "Code Site Test. PLEASE READ THE FULL ARTICLE ALSO. It will take about 30-45 minutes to read. The full article has both critique and support by an expert of the Gateway Plan, and a good Q&A from Arcata's Planning Commissioners.

Density and Feasibility Study – from Ryan Call of Urban Field Studio – July 11, 2023

IMPORTANT presentation to the Planning Commission, July 11, 2023. Can high-density tall buildings be constructed in the Gateway Area? This report presents findings on four specific sites. The answer: In theory, yes. On a practical, economically-feasible, realistic basis -- the answer is NO.

Dan Burden, Walkability Expert — Here in Humboldt, July 22-25, 2023

Walkability expert Dan Burden will be in Humboldt County on July 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th. Named by TIME as “one of the six most important civic innovators in the world.” Named by Planetizen as one of the “Top 100 urbanists of all time.” *** FREE EVENTS in Arcata, Eureka, Blue Lake, and McKinleyville that you can attend.

Community Meeting – Monday, July 10th, 2023

Community Meeting ★ The Gateway Area Plan ★ The L Street Pathway & Linear Park ★ Bring your questions ★ Everyone is welcome ★ Discussion – Strategies – Involvement ★★★ Monday  July 10th - 5:30 to 7:00 PM ★★★ Doors open at 5:20 – Come early! ★ Arcata Playhouse - The Creamery Building ★ 1251 9th Street.

A synopsis of Gateway: Letter to the Northcoast Journal

Arcata’s Gateway Plan seeks to provide dense in-town housing to make for a walkable, vibrant community. It promises affordable housing for people of all income ranges. Home ownership opportunities. Open spaces for walking, meeting, biking, and fun. But the current draft plan doesn’t deliver on what it proposes. Housing that’s affordable for working Arcatans and opportunities to build wealth by owning, not renting? In the current draft plan there are no valid mechanisms to make this happen.

Ben Noble on “Building Height Ratio” concept — Avoiding the “canyons” of taller buildings

No upper floor stepbacks = Less sun, more shading, more of a canyon along the streets of Arcata. This article is a 6-minute segment from Ben Noble, describing requirements for stepbacks in the Form-Based Code.

Councilmembers, Commissioners: What do we want our buildings to look like?

What do we want our buildings to look like? Do we want a boxy building with 5-story walls that go straight up and completely shade the adjoining houses? It is all decided by the Form-Based Code. **** A very brief article with IMAGES that show our choices.

Will upper floor step-backs vanish from the Gateway Code?

During the past more than one-and-a-half years of discussion on the draft Gateway Plan, we've seen a variety of important aspects of the plan come and go. Critical issues seemed to have arrived as firm promises and later vanished like smoke following a Planning Commission conversation of just a minute or two. Or vanished with no conversation whatsoever. *** An area that's near and dear to the hearts of Arcatans are building heights and the set-back and step-back requirements for new buildings.

“Deportee – Plane Wreck at Los Gatos” – the Woody Guthrie song

"Deportee - Plane Wreck at Los Gatos" is a song about the deaths of 28 migrant farm workers in a plane crash in 1948. The workers were part of the U.S.-Mexico "Bracero" program, whereby Mexican farmworkers could come to the U.S to work in the fields and then be returned to Mexico after the work contract was done.

David Loya once again dismisses the Transportation Safety Committee’s recommendation: “Removal of couplet in favor of a linear park through the L St corridor”

David Loya dismisses the Transportation Safety Committee's input in a major way -- yet again. Arcata's Community Development Director David Loya has inadequately, inaccurately, or in a diminished fashion presented recommendations from the Transportation Safety Committee to the Planning Commission. It is evident from past manipulations of the Transportation Safety Committee's recommendations that Director Loya cannot be trusted to convey information from the Committee.

David Loya dismisses the TSC’s recommendation, Part 2: David Loya’s reply, and a response back to him

David Loya dismisses the Transportation Safety Committee's input in a major way -- yet again. Arcata's Community Development Director David Loya has inadequately, inaccurately, or in a diminished fashion presented recommendations from the Transportation Safety Committee to the Planning Commission. **** David Loya's reply, and a response from Fred Weis ****

The Gateway Community Benefits program — Details of the “points” proposal

The Gateway Community Benefits Program is simple in concept. In order to construct a building higher than three stories -- and have it go through the streamlined "ministerial review" process -- a developer has to provide something for the community.  But the existing State Density Bonus laws may entirely subvert our Community Benefits program and render it meaningless.

After telling the Council we’ll see Inclusionary Zoning, what Loya has provided is worthless

David Loya spoke: "There is the full intent to have an inclusionary zoning requirement in the Gateway Area Plan." -- "... in the Mission Statement is to create mixed-use, mixed-income projects. And so the way that we intend to do that is through Inclusionary Zoning." ** Unfortunately, the "inclusionary zoning" that is there is worthless.

Dave Ryan says: The Transportation Safety Committee’s recommendations are being withheld and misquoted

This letter was sent by Dave Ryan, Chair of Arcata's Transportation Safety Committee, to David Caisse (the TSC liason), to the full Transportation Safety Committee, and to David Loya. It was distributed to the Planning Commissioners at their April 11, 2023, meeting. It was partially posted to the City's website -- just the first page, and not the whole letter -- on April 14. Here is the full letter from Dave Ryan.

Humor & Irony: California’s Transparency Law (the Brown Act) is unreadable in Arcata’s version

In a June 22023, e-mail with Arcata's Community Development Director David Loya, I quoted to him a key sentence from the very first paragraph of the Brown Act -- California's transparency "sunshine" law. I've quoted this to him before, mainly because I do not believe that Arcata's top planner (although with no planning degree) abides by the law. ***** In a surprising bit of irony, on the City's website the words that have the Brown Act quote are unreadable. *****

The Planning Commission needs to step up to the plate

The following is a letter sent by Fred Weis to the City Councilmembers. According to the Planning Commission's absurdly accelerated schedule, they are expected to deliver recommendations of a draft of the Form-Based Code, a draft of the Gateway Plan, and a draft of the General Plan following their meeting on July 11th. It is expected that these drafts will be rough and incomplete. With all the work that the Planning Commission has to do, you'd think they'd be working overtime, right? Nope. Their meetings have been shorter than ever. 

138 acres of Gateway: What is actually buildable?

At the June 13, 2023, Planning Commission "special meeting" Chair Scott Davies asked the question "And do you know or have you looked at what percentage of the actual buildable parcels in that 138 Acres is the ratio of those orange parcels to the total acreage of the Gateway Area?" **** This question is critical for understanding development in the Gateway area. The key is the phrase "the actual buildable parcels."

3D Modeling: We’re still waiting

Original article: June 16, 2022 --We've been promised the 3D modeling for at least four or five months now. *** ONE AND A HALF YEARS NOW **** Why is 3D Modeling so important? Look at the pictures here and decide for yourself.

Draft Gateway Form-Based Code yields very little Inclusionary Zoning homes

The long-awaited initial draft of the Form-Based Code finally arrived. As promised, it does contain requirements for Inclusionary Zoning in the Gateway Area. *** Unfortunately the Inclusionary Zoning requirements are ridiculously low. To even call this "inclusionary zoning" is a stretch. This would be laughable except that this is a such serious matter -- and so important for the people of Arcata and for the future of Arcata.

Gateway Plan needs inclusionary affordable housing requirements, says Rebecca Buckley-Stein

Rebecca Buckley-Stein spoke to the City Council on March 1, 2023, about the need to have inclusionary affordable housing as part of the Gateway Plan. What is Inclusionary Zoning? Your questions answered, plus additional resource links.

Vandalismo en Sanctuary Garden – Centro del Pueblo habla con el Ayuntamiento de Arcata

More than 60 members of our community came to City Hall on Wednesday, June 7th, for the Arcata City Council meeting. Many people, including Centro del Pueblo Executive Director Brenda Perez, spoke to the Council. Over the past three years, the Sanctuary Gardens has been vandalized one dozen times. The people of Arcata are asking the City Council  to do something.

Sanctuary Garden vandalism – Centro del Pueblo speaks to the Arcata City Council

More than 60 members of our community came to City Hall on Wednesday, June 7th, for the Arcata City Council meeting. Many people, including Centro del Pueblo Executive Director Brenda Perez, spoke to the Council. Over the past three years, the Sanctuary Gardens has been vandalized one dozen times. The people of Arcata are asking the City Council  to do something.

Redwood City Downtown Precise Plan – Form-Based Code

Redwood City's Downtown Precise Plan includes Form-Based code and Planning Commission review. It all took 4 years to develop. The Form-Based Code can serve as a model for Arcata.

From high-speed rail to the Olympics, why do big projects go wrong?

"By his reckoning, only 8.5% of projects meet their initial estimates on cost and time, and a piddling 0.5% achieve what they set out to do on cost, time and benefits." -- "Over-optimistic time and cost estimates stem from both psychological and political biases: a reliance on intuition rather than data, and . . . “strategic misrepresentation”. This is when budgets are deliberately lowballed in order to get things going, on the premise that nothing would ever get built if politicians went around being accurate."

The draft Form-Based Code: First Impressions

A letter to Arcata's City Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners: This draft Form-Based Code has about 40% of the information and code that is needed for a good Form-Based Code. It fails to provide for the intents and interests and purposes of the Gateway Plan. It does not fulfil our needs.

The Form-Based Code – draft from Ben Noble, June 5, 2023

This is the initial draft of the Form-Based Code for the Gateway Area Plan, as delivered from the City's consultant Ben Noble. Dated June 5, 2023. This entire Form-Based Code draft is 58 pages.

David Loya on Affordable Housing – May 9, 2023 staff report to the Planning Commission

Affordable Housing, Home Ownership, and Gentrification were featured topics for discussion at the May 9, 2023, Planning Commission meeting.  But there was no discussion of affordable housing or home-ownership opportunities at that Planning Commission meeting.  No discussion at all -- just a staff report on this crucial topics. **** This is that staff report -- with COMMENTARY.

The Gateway Area Plan at 18 months: The Promises Still Seem Unlikely

Now at eighteen months from the introduction of the Draft Gateway Area Plan, the wonderful world that was promised by the plan seems ever more unlikely. I refer to that wonderful world of “thousands of housing units that are environmentally sustainable and affordable to people in all income ranges” and “a broad range of housing densities and types, including rental and owner‐occupied options” that is promised on the opening page of the Draft Plan and continued in that theme throughout the document. *** Let’s look at what’s been ignored over these past eighteen months.

More Loya Nonsense: High Density Apartments will cause vacancies in Houses

Arcata's Community Development Director David Loya explains his version of how single-family houses will become available for sale. As more apartments are built, people will want to live in apartments and rental houses will become vacant, and the owners will sell. Could this be true?

The New Yorker: Apartments for Rent

The cover of the May 29, 2023 issue of The New Yorker magazine. "Open House" by Marcellus Hall. No explanation needed.

Complete Nonsense: David Loya’s May 23 Staff Report on Ownership Opportunities

Providing housing for people is the key purpose of the Gateway Area Plan. "Home ownership opportunities” is defined as owner-occupied housing that’s affordable to people of all income ranges, including middle-income and even lower-income households. *** David Loya told the Planning Commission how these home ownership opportunities could happen. In my view, what he describes as being feasible is nonsense.

Condensed version of Complete Nonsense: David Loya’s May 23 Staff Report on Ownership Opportunities

Providing housing for people is the key purpose of the Gateway Area Plan. "Home ownership opportunities” is defined as owner-occupied housing that’s affordable to people of all income ranges, including middle-income and even lower-income households. *** David Loya told the Planning Commission how these home ownership opportunities could happen. In my view, what he describes as being feasible is nonsense.

What is the financial impact of Gateway development?

What's the fiscal aspect of development in the Gateway area? What will be the changes to Arcata's over-stretched Police & Fire Departments? Who will pay for it? Will the City be running at a deficit in 10 years?

Opinion: Who Should We Honor on Memorial Day?

The cost of war is not borne solely by soldiers on the field of battle and that for too many, the field of battle is unavoidable. In Iraq nearly half a million civilians died in the war and the eight-year American occupation. **** These civilians did not volunteer. They did not sign up nor were they drafted. And yet they died just the same. Their families mourn just as deeply. How should we remember them? Can we make space in our hearts for them, too, this Memorial Day?

L Street – Proposed design does not fit

If indeed L Street were to become a through road carrying truck traffic from Alliance Road, there would be some pretty major issues. UPDATED

Serial Meeting Brown Act violations – What is the Law?

The Brown Act also prohibits use of a series of communications, of any kind, among a majority of members of a legislative body,  directly or through intermediaries, to discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item of business that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. -- PROHIBITS USE OF A SERIES OF COMMUNICATIONS OF ANY KIND - DIRECTLY OR THROUGH INTERMEDIARIES.

What are the definitions of “Affordable Housing” ?

What is Affordable Housing? At the Planning Commission study session on February 11, 2023, David Loya said “We're going to have an agenda item on affordable housing.” What does the City mean by "Affordable Housing"? One of a series of articles on the Affordable Housing question.

Calling it a “Special Meeting” does not make it a Special Meeting – Part 2

According to Arcata's Municipal Code, the Planning Commission shall hold regular meetings twice monthly. In violation of this Code, the Commission has not been holding regular meetings.

The May 16, 2023, Creamery Meeting was not what the Commissioners requested

The May 16 Creamery meeting was essentially hijacked by David Loya and taken over for his own purposes. 42 people at the start, almost half left after the intro. Why? Because they were expecting an open meeting, where ideas could be discussed and concerns heard. Instead they were told that staff had selected six topics, and that they'd talk about those six topics. 

Nick Lucchesi letters from January 2022 and August 2023

Two letters from Nick Lucchesi of Pacific Builders. First from January 15, 2022 -- A MUST-READ LETTER. Second letter from August 2023.

City Council: Let’s move forward! Written one year ago….

Note: This article was written June 10, 2022 -- almost one year ago. The topics that are brought up then are still current. The same issues that existed in May 2022 still exist in May 2023 -- one year later.

Creamery District meeting – May 16, 2023 – What the People want – Updated May 21

IMAGES OF NOTES from the neighborhood Creamery District meeting on May 16, 2023. There were people present who thought that this would be an open discussion about how the Gateway Plan might affect the Creamery District. Specifically, people wanted to discuss the question of the L Street Corridor Linear Park. David Loya told the group that the Linear Park was not one of the topics on that evening's list of topics to be discussed. Over 1/3rd of the people present walked out.

Transportation Safety Committee rejects the K-L Street Couplet – AGAIN

For what appears to be the fourth time, Arcata's Transportation Safety Committee has once again rejected the Gateway Plan and General Plan concept of the L - K Street Couplet. At their May 16, 2023, meeting, Chair Dave Ryan and other members of the Committee took mere seconds to reinforce what they have clearly stated as their firm position on the couplet concept for L Street: They are against it and feel it has no place in the modern design of Arcata's streets and traffic patterns. Arcata deserves the L Street Corridor as a people-oriented linear park.

May 16th Creamery Meeting: The discussion is minimized in the Staff Report

Prior to the May 16, 2023, Creamery District meeting, it was expected that the purpose of the meeting was to have an open discussion with Creamery residents, business owners, and interested citizens on the potential impacts of the Gateway Plan on the Creamery District. That is what the Planning Commission asked for at their November 8, 2022, meeting. But that's not happened at the meeting.

What People Wrote – at the May 16th Creamery meeting

WITH TRANSCRIPTIONS OF THE NOTES. ** Why was this "open discussion" meeting so controlled? In his introduction David Loya made clear what he was there to discuss. What the people there wanted to talk about apparently was not of large importance.

David Loya Trashes the Creamery Discussion – May 16, 2023

The Planning Commissioners asked for a meeting with the Creamery community. At the time, Community Development Director David Loya agreed. But when the meeting occurred, it was not what the Commissioners had requested. As we have seen so many times, Director Loya did what he wanted to do. And once again Director Loya disregarded the expressed wishes of the Planning Commission -- and disregarded input from our community.

Bad Stop-Sign news from City Engineer Netra Khatri — and how to create a positive outcome

Utilizing stop signs to regulate vehicle speeds and create traffic calming and pedestrian safety are the prescription that the Transportation Safety Committee and the Planning Commission have asked for. But City Engineer Netra Khatri is telling us that those stop signs might not be so easy to put in.

MIG City Planning and Design: Communities can plan their own futures

MIG is a design and planning firm with over 200 employees in 14 locations, founded in 1982. "We believe that the environment around us has a profound impact on our lives. We plan, design and sustain environments that support human development." "We are a community of designers, planners, engineers, scientists and storytellers engaging, involving and acting with people in creative problem solving."

MIG Design: Streets Reconsidered — Streets Are for People

Let’s go the next step beyond travel lanes and bike lanes, sidewalks and crosswalks. Let’s design streets for living, not just driving. *** We used to grow up on the street. We’d play, we’d walk to the neighbors with a casserole for the block potluck, we’d ride bikes, play games, hang out, socialize. So would our pets. Drivers knew enough to watch out for us. We all survived and thrived. We want that again. ***

What is “walking distance” from the Plaza or from Cal Poly Humboldt?

The City planners consider walking distance as an "as the crow flies" distance -- NOT a real-life walking distance. This a entire “10 minute walk” map is very misleading. It is a computer-drawn map with no regard to actually walking along a street. Yes, the Gateway area is close to town, and, yes, it is walking distance to many locations. But it is not true that “the Arcata sports complex is just within a 10-minute walk.” A person has to cross Highway 101 on 7th Street to get to the Sports Complex.

UPDATED Creamery District / Gateway Meetings — May 16th & May 23rd

COME - PARTICIPATE - LEARN - ASK QUESTIONS - SHARE YOUR VIEWS **** A meeting with businesses, owners, workers, and all residents in the Creamery District Combining Zone on Tuesday, May 16th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will also be a meeting of the Planning Commission on Tuesday, May 23rd, starting at 5:30 p.m. to "discuss this topic." *** Includes maps and the letter sent out by the City.

“Wonderful World” by Sam Cooke

Don't know much about History -- Don't know much Biology -- Don't know much about a science book -- Don't know much about the French I took -- But I do know that I love you -- And I know that if you love me, too -- What a wonderful world this would be.

Utah Senator Mitt Romney calls bike lanes “the height of stupidity”

This just goes to show that almost anything can become controversial. Last year, Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton warned Fox News viewers that Democrats "want to make you live in downtown areas, and high-rise buildings, and walk to work, or take the subway, or ride an electric scooter" and "make us all poor."

The Farmer is the Man Who Feeds Us All

A Grange protest song from the 1880s. Recorded by Ry Cooder in 1972 *** "We worked through Spring and Winter, through Summer and through Fall -- But the mortgage worked the hardest and the steadiest of us all -- It worked on nights and Sunday, it worked each holiday -- It settled down among us and it never went away **** -- The farmer is the man who feeds us all."

Gary Patton: Let’s not wait around for someone else to tell us

Gary Patton: Let's not wait around for someone else to tell us what has happened to us, and about the history that has been made in our names. Let's talk to our neighbors, and friends, and get to work. We have challenges and opportunities to confront, and it's not "the government" that is supposed to do things. WE are supposed to do things.

Rezoning Arcata: Alliance Road Industrial-Light property was improperly rezoned

The Community Development Department provided improper maps and information to the Planning Commission on the recommendation for rezoning these parcels along Alliance Road. The Planning Commission inadvertently created a "spot zoned" parcel -- actually a spot-zoned portion of a parcel. ********The question is now:  What is the Planning Commission going to do? Leave it as it is, and hope no one wants to ever redevelop the "blighted" buildings? That does not seem like a thoughtful path. Or will they figure out how to make this improper rezoning correct.

Creamery District Gathering – Wednesday – May 10th – 5:30 p.m.

Businesses, Residents, Workers, and Visitors ** Come with questions, thoughts, and recommendations regarding the future L Street Linear Park and its enhancement for the Creamery District -- and for the entire Community. ** Wednesday, May 10th ** 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. ** The Playhouse Theater in the Creamery Building ** 1251 9th Street (9th & L ) in Arcata.

Creamery District — Businesses and Maps

Here is a list of the approximately 75 businesses located in the Creamery area. With maps and links to other articles on the Creamery and the L Street Corridor Linear Park.

Did the Planning Commission violate the Brown Act — again — at their April 27th meeting? Yes, they did.

At their April 27, 2023, meeting, the Planning Commission brought up rezoning on two specific areas in Arcata. This discussion and survey of each of the Commissioner's positions went on for about 38 minutes. Unfortunately, this topic was not listed as an agenda item for that meeting. To have this discussion was a violation of California's Brown Act "sunshine" law. What's worse, the Commissioners had specifically requested that this be on the agenda for that evening, and Community Development Director David Loya had not done put it there, even after being told on at least three occasions.

Playhouse Arts letter – from April 4, 2022

This letter from Playhouse Arts, Arcata's local arts agency, was sent April 4, 2022, to the City Council and staff. However it was not available to the public until August, four months later. Signed by 23 people.

Economic Development Committee’s recommendations on Parking: Lost in the process?

Here's what they said on parking: "Must ensure that sufficient parking provided for both residents and visitors to and employees of local businesses, given rural nature of area and to ensure that parking doesn’t infringe on nearby/local residential neighborhoods. Don’t presume that students, staff, or residents won’t have cars needing to be parked somewhere. 80% of current students are non-local. " **** Here's what ended up in the General Plan recommendations: "Ensure adequate parking for local businesses and employees."

Rezoning Arcata: 17th & Q proposed as Residential High Density – More images tell the story

The City's maps for the proposed rezoning of 10.5 acres area near 17th & Q Streets to Residential High Density are missing important details.  There are 8 new images -- can take 5 minutes to look at the images and read the descriptions. Does an up-zoning of the 17th & Q area to Residential High or Medium Density do much to help create housing for Arcata? No, it does not.

Re-Zoning Arcata: The Big View and aerial images

Proposed rezoning areas -- Maps and aerial views. -- The Alliance & Spear proposed rezoning area, the Craftman's Mall proposed rezoning area, the 17th & Q proposed rezoning area, and the Gateway proposed rezoning area are all shown highlighted on this map.

Re-Zoning Arcata: South of Craftman’s Mall, on Eye Street — to Residential High Density

The proposed re-zoning of certain Arcata parcels, as part of the updating of the General Plan, includes sections of our town both south and north of the Craftman's Mall site. **** Please recognize that the southern portion of this area is very much different from the central (the dorms) and the northern portions of this area. De-couple the southern portion, and do not re-zone that neighborhood as Residential High Density.

Prime Agricultural Land Threatened — Come to the Planning Commission meeting

DO NOT REZONE Agricultural Land for development. **** DO NOT eliminate the protective language in the General Plan. Arcata's staff is recommending to remove the protections that we've had for 20 years. **** PROTECT our Prime Agricultural Land to the West and North of Arcata's city limits by taking these parcels out of the City's "Sphere of Influence."

Rezoning Arcata: 17th & Q – from Ag Land and Industrial Light — to Residential High Density

A proposal to re-zone of 5.15 acres of "Agricultural Residential" and 5.4 acres of "Industrial Light" to Residential High Density. The parcels are across Alliance Road from Shay Park, and across Alliance from Arcata High -- between Alliance Road and Q Street, at the very edge of Arcata's city limits.

Fred Weis explains how the April 11 vote on K-L Couplet went off-track

Here is Fred Weis at the Saturday, April 22 Planning Commission meeting, talking about how the MOTION for the vote on the L-K Street couplet changed -- drastically -- between the time the motion was introduced and when the vote was taken.  Six minutes to watch the video, or read the transcription of what was said.

The transcription from the April 11, 2023, Planning Commission on the K-L Street Vote

At the April 11, 2023, Planning Commission meeting, the matters of how to achieve increased safety on K Street and the fate of what the Commissioners want to see on L Street -- Linear Park or thoroughfare road -- was discussed. Eventually there was a vote. The vote was tallied as 4 to 2 -- with 4 members supporting the motion and 2 opposed. ******** The motion changed mid-way through the voting discussion, and does not match what the Commissioners had expressed as what they wanted.

Gateway’s L Street proposal vs. Foster Avenue – in pictures

We're told the same long-range planning process -- where the Foster Avenue Extension took 30 years to build -- applies to Gateway's theoretical L Street. This is the proposed couplet new road that cuts through the heart of the Creamery Arts district... and makes a mockery of the serene spot that's been created over these years. The two situations are not remotely similar.

Transportation Safety Committee Chair says: Our Linear Park recommendation is not accurately shown in the Gateway draft plan

“Revise circulation plan to eliminate L Street as being considered for new streets and car traffic. This area is recommended to become a car-free linear park that prioritizes people.”  ***** There have been questions raised whether this draft accurately or adequately reflects our recommendation regarding L St being designated a linear park.

Foster Avenue Extension vs. Gateway’s L-K Street Couplet: There’s no comparing the two.

Again and again and again, we hear it said that the Foster Avenue Extension was 20 or 30 years in its planning, and that if it hadn't been proposed and planned for then it never would have happened. The Foster Avenue Extension and the proposed new L Street couplet are different roads, for different purposes, in very different environments, and with completely sets of buildings (both existing and proposed) alongside them. Consequently they will have very different planning processes. The situations are 100% different --they are like night and day. There is very little in common between the two roads.  *** WITH AERIAL PHOTOS ***

How to contact Arcata’s City Councilmembers & Planning Commissioners — and how you can speak at a meeting

How to contact Arcata's City Councilmembers & Planning Commissioners, and how to attend a City Council or Planning Commission meeting -- in person, via YouTube, via Zoom, or on the phone.

Channel 7 News: Arcata Planning Commission exploring L – K Streets couplet options – April 13, 2023

This story from reporter Austin Castro appeared on Channel 7 KRCR (ABC Eureka-Redding) TV news, on Thursday, April 13, 2023. The Arcata Planning Commission meeting that is referred to in the news story took place on April 11, 2023. With links to further articles on Arcata1.com and how to sign the Petition for the L Street Linear Park.

What happened at the April 11 Planning Commission meeting? A 6-minute video and transcription

What happened at the April 11, 2023, Planning Commission meeting? The Chair first announced that there would be just a single period for public comment. Then, after a one-minute private discussion with David Loya, the Chair relented and allowed additional public comment at the conclusion of the main topic of the night. Video and transcription.

Calling it a “Special Meeting” does not make it a Special Meeting

As just about everyone knows, just by saying something is true -- that does not make it true. And just by calling something by a certain name -- that does not make it be what you call it. *** So how is it that "Regular Meetings" became "Special Meetings" -- just by calling them that?

How and why did the Planning Commission change their meetings from 6:00 PM to 5:30?

The April 11, 2023 Planning Commission meeting was designated as a "Special Meeting" -- which would allow, by law, a reduction in how public input is taken. The total of public input could be limited to a single time, rather than have public input for each Business Item, as in a "Regular Meeting." *** Is this what the Planning Commissioners, as a whole, voted for? ***

Discarding the democratic process even further: The Planning Commission meeting – April 11, 2023

The full video of the April 11, 2023, Planning Commission meeting. **** Calling this a special meeting allows, by law, an allowable reduction in the manner in which input from the public is taken. Far more people were in the audience at this Planning Commission than at prior Planning Commission meetings. At this meeting, there were TWENTY-ONE members of the public WHO SPOKE.

Humor — Who wants more cars?

Do we want more cars in Arcata? No! We want fewer cars on our roads. Who would want more cars? Well -- people who buy these T-Shirts, maybe.

Economic Development Committee says: Where’s the parking?

During the transition from discussion to final document, it seems that many issues raised by the Economic Development Committee are not included in the final document. Among what is absent was their stance on adequate parking for business and residential purposes. Also: "Don't presume that students, staff, or residents won't have cars needing to be parked somewhere. 80% of current students are non-local."

The L Street Linear Park Petition – over 1,170 names so far

James Becker and Patricia Cambianica have been collecting signatures of people in favor of the L Street Linear Park. As of May 9, 2023, they have gathered over 715 people's names. At the March 14, 2023, meeting of the Arcata Planning Commission, Jim showed the commissioners just what these signatures look like. 

Economic Development Committee – Gateway Plan recommendations, drafts, and video

UPDATED WITH DRAFTS and the August 2, 2022 video ---- The Economic Development Committee's Recommendations for the General Plan update. From their August 2, 2022 meeting.

The Three Perceptives – a Sufi tale

Idries Shah (1924-1996) was a prolific was a prolific Indian author and teacher in the Sufi tradition. Emphasizing that Sufism was not static but always adapted itself to the current time, place and people, he framed his teaching in Western psychological terms. Shah made extensive use of traditional teaching stories and parables, texts that contained multiple layers of meaning designed to trigger insight and self-reflection in the reader.

Maggie Murchie remembered

Maggie Murchie worked in the Arcata Community Development Department for 23 years, from 1986 through December 2009. As the primary face behind the counter, she was the first step for anyone needing a building permit, a zoning inquiry, a building code question, information on an on-going project in Arcata, and everything in-between and beyond. She had a style of interacting with the public that was pleasant, productive, and most definitely unique. ---- Please write with your memories, and they can be added to this tribute.

​“Anxiety on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.”

At their March 1 and April 5, 2023, meetings, the Arcata City Council formally directed the Planning Commission to do as much as it can -- as fast as it can -- to create complete and workable drafts of Arcata's new General Plan update, the new Gateway Area Plan, and the brand-new first-time-ever Form-Based Code for the Gateway area. The Council has requested complete working drafts of these three documents by the end of June, 2023 -- now (at the time of this writing) under 3 months away. ---- As the former Community Development Department long-time employee often said: "ANXIETY ON YOUR PART DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EMERGENCY ON MY PART."

New Planning Commission “Framework” for meetings unfortunately violates the Brown Act

At their March 14, 2023, meeting, Arcata's Planning Commission put into place a new "Framework" designed to help make the Commission meetings more efficient. The Framework includes the provision that:   "1) Commissioners will provide a ranked priority list of the policies they wish to discuss [on a set number of days] in advance of the meeting"; and then  "2) Staff will collate the responses to facilitate discussion and send the compiled list out to Commissioners by 5 p.m." [that day]. (Quoted from the "Framework" guidelines.) THE BROWN ACT SPECIFICALLY AND CLEARLY PROHIBITS THIS.

More Brown Act violations: Materials sent to Commissioners must also be sent to the public, at the same time

I regard the removal of letters from the public from the Agenda Packets, as has been done after May, 2022, and placing them away from the agenda packet at a later time, ranging from 2 weeks to 3-1/2 months later, to be against the wishes and interests of the public, and a continuous, gross violation of State law — and one which, since it can be remedied with only a small amount of effort on the part of Staff, represents a clear, obvious, and evident disregard for applicable law and for recognition of public engagement. ---- As I have said to the City Manager, to the City Council, and to the Planning Commission: This process of developing a Gateway Plan is difficult enough. Why augment a legal risk when to do things in accordance with State law involves such a relatively minor amount of effort? ******** On a risk / reward basis, current City actions make no sense. *****

The California Brown Act Law – Editorial, August 18, 2022

Everyone in California who has held office or been appointed to a Commission or Committee is familiar with the Brown Act, or at least with the basic aspects of it. Designed to promote transparency and accountability in all government matters, the procedures outlined in the Act and in subsequent amendments are requirements of governance. ***** Following Brown Act procedures is not optional. It is the law. *****

Uniontown Revisioning: Put housing over CVS and Safeway

In May, 2020, six HSU students created a proposal to build apartments in the space above Uniontown Shopping Center, at 7th and F Streets.  With a height limit of 35 feet (3 stories) the plan included 66 apartments of sizes from 350 square feet to 1800 square feet. The report also includes a discussion of Form-Based Codes and required design elements and considerations.

Former Arcata Mayor Susan Ornelas says: Let’s create opportunities for Home Ownership

Susan Ornelas served on Arcata's City Council for eleven consecutive years, from 2008 through March, 2020. She was Mayor of Arcata in 2011 and 2017. Among Susan's concerns for the future of Arcata's citizens is the difficulty for younger people to buy a home. "We know when people own a home in a town, they are more likely to volunteer for City boards, school boards, PTAs, as sports coaches for their kids, etc. Home ownership helps to create the kind of town we all want to live in!"

Your neighborhood is at risk of being rezoned for High Density housing

Do you want your neighborhood rezoned as Residential High Density? **** Come to the City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 5th, and tell our City Councilmembers what you want and do not want for Arcata. The citizens of Arcata have not been informed. **** If you care about your neighborhood, please come and speak. ****

Dan Duncan: “2022 Arcata: 18 Ways of looking at a City”

Daniel Duncan is a retired contractor and present-time architectural commentator who has lived here in Arcata for over 50 years. His articles on Arcata planning, housing, and design appeared first in the Mad River Union, and now the eighteen articles from 2022 have been collected in his new book. Dan's book is available now at Northtown Books in Arcata and Booklegger in Eureka. The price is $10.

The $300,000 starter home is going extinct

The figure of $300,000 is shown as a house that is "attainable" for a couple or small family, based on earnings and ability to pay the mortgage and expenses. And a house at $300,000 or below just is not available anymore. --- The answer? Smaller units. Higher densities -- apartment buildings, that is. And if there cannot be condominiums (see: The Housing Market Needs More Condos. Why Are So Few Being Built?), then this equates to renting and not owning. Ownership opportunities have become a part of the past.

Transparency Lacking in Arcata Gateway Plan

We don’t have to go far to uncover transparency issues. We can look right here at Arcata’s Gateway Plan. Crucial letters from the public about this plan have been hidden. They aren’t seen until after the meeting the letter was written for has passed. Do Arcatans want to see L Street — right next to the Creamery, where we come for festivals and fun — turned into a truck route? I don’t think so. Nor does Arcata’s Transportation Safety Committee. But that committee’s voice likewise has been ignored. --- California’s Brown Act: “The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know.”

Density Bonus Laws explained — David Loya to the Planning Commission

Community Development Director David Loya provided a concise explanation of California's myriad Density Bonus housing laws in the March 2023 Planning Commission staff reports. It is included it here so it can be referred to at any time.

Windowless bedrooms? Sunlight is considered a luxury benefit

In recent years, windowless bedrooms have become somewhat normalized on college campuses. Students at the University of Texas, Austin and the University of Michigan are currently renting dorm bedrooms without windows. Sunlight in your bedroom could become a luxury as cities debate allowing landlords to rent windowless rooms in former office buildings to alleviate the housing crisis.

City Council & Planning Commission: Portal / Links

A special page for City Council and Planning Commission members -- and a great place for all readers to learn more about the Gateway Plan. This page will be updated regularly. Come back for more!

Local Coastal Element document

This is the February 2022 draft of the Local Coastal Plan, also called the Local Coastal Element.

Sea Level Panel Discussion – March 28, 2023 – The Meeting Outline and Objectives

From the Agenda Packet for the March 28, 2023, Joint Study Session on Sea Level Rise. Includes "balancing future climate risk with current and future social and community needs" and discussion to "develop a better understanding about sea level rise risk and the factors to consider when balancing policy options for future growth and development." -- More information is good, and making appropriate decisions is even better. But why is the City still allowing -- even promoting -- development on South G Street?

Sea Level Rise presentation to Council and PlanCom — Tuesday, March 28th

The long-anticipated panel presentation on Sea Level Rise took place on March 28, 2023, as a joint City Council / Planning Commission Study Session. This article contains a list of pertinent questions, a listing of the contents of the video, and the full 2-1/2 hour video.

From high-speed rail to the Olympics, why do big projects go wrong?

This article from the March 18, 2023, issue of The Economist tells a cautionary tale of how both large and small projects have initial cost and time underestimates and deliberate inaccuracies, then followed by cost overruns and time delays.  And, far too often, there is the "sunk-cost" fallacy -- whereby people hesitate to halt projects because money spent will seem to have been wasted. -- Does this apply to Arcata's Gateway Plan? -- 5 minutes to read.

OLLI Presentation on Sea Level Rise – Aldaron Laird – March 16, 2023

This is the link to the video for the March 16, 2023, OLLI presentation on Sea Level Rise & Humboldt Bay. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) of Cal Poly Humboldt has been offering a monthly special interest group Zoom meeting on Sea Level Rise & Humboldt Bay. The presentations are facilitated by environmental planning consultant Aldaron Laird and Humboldt County history (and general knowledge) specialist Jerry Rhode.

Arcata’s Community Development Department fails again on Executive Summaries

Based on what we've seen, our Community Development Department has an aversion to providing Executive Summaries and actually presenting fact-based conclusions for Arcata's decision-makers. Staff also seems to have an aversion to completing or finalizing ANYTHING. Both the "Strategic Infill Redevelopment Program:  Community Engagement Report (Draft)" -- submitted to the public on June 17, 2022 -- and the "City of Arcata Sea Level Rise Risk Assessment" report from April, 2018, are MISSING entirely their Executive Summaries -- even though those summaries are promoted as being part of the documents.

Gateway: No Cars Allowed

In the Gateway Plan, if a developer does not want to supply any parking whatsoever for the residents of newly-constructed apartments, that's an option. But if the developer wants to include enough parking spaces to make those apartments be competitive with other apartments in Arcata? Can't do that. The number of parking spaces that can be provided AT A MAXIMUM amounts to one parking space for every 4 to 8 residents.

The Housing Market Needs More Condos. Why Are So Few Being Built?

The Gateway Area Plan's stated intent is to have "home- ownership opportunities" -- that is, condominiums -- in the Gateway Area. The share of condo units built for sale in 2021 was less than 5.4 percent, nationally. The rest were rental units. The shortage of condos adds to the lack of affordability in the homebuying market.

Paul Simon: American Tune

Paul Simon's timeless song. Eight versions plus lyrics and notes. ----- Many’s the time I’ve been mistaken -- And many times confused -- Yes, and I’ve often felt forsaken -- And certainly misused -- Oh, but I’m all right, I’m all right -- I’m just weary to my bones -- Still, you don’t expect to be -- Bright and bon vivant -- So far away from home, so far away from home.

Gateway Street Parking: Why it will be inadequate

The Draft Gateway Plan pretends that there will be an increase in on-street parking in the Gateway area. In actuality, there will be 50% or so of current parking spaces. In some blocks, there will be less than 25% of what is there now.

Getting rid of parking in Arcata: A social engineering experiment

The Gateway code includes a MAXIMUM number of parking spaces at 1 per every 4 units -- which works out to one per every 4 to 8 tenants. A restaurant with a staff of six and hosting 35 or 40 diners would have a MAXIMUM of ONE space. How will this work out for Arcata?

Getting oriented: The Creamery Area

This map provides an orientation for some of the buildings and business locations in the Creamery area. The background is taken from the Draft Gateway Plan, and shows the proposed street parking situation. However, this parking plan is very inaccurate -- it is "high level" and does not incorporate driveway cutouts, business frontages, and other aspects of reality.

“The Old Way” – A story of lions in the Kalahari Desert

"In the nineteen-fifties, when I was in my late teens and early twenties, I lived for some years among the Juwa and Gikme Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert. I went there with my parents, Laurence and Lorna Marshall, and my brother, John, to record the Bushmen's way of life. My own interest was in the lions (leopology, I liked to say), but I had little time to pursue that interest in those busy days. Under any circumstances, though, lions are hard to ignore, so I was able to glean some data on them."

With Spears from all Sides

The Huaorani are an ancient tribe whose survival is threatened by American oil development in the Ecuadorian Amazon. They endured missionary zeal, corporate encroachment, and American environmentalist campaigns claiming to represent their interests. Then the Huaorani tried to save themselves.

Planning Commissioner Matt Simmons calls Arcata neighborhoods “segregated”

Why did new Planning Commissioner use the word "segregated" when describing existing Arcata neighborhoods? Was his purpose to inflame the discussion? To add confusion to the conversation? -- Unless what Matt Simmons means is racial segregation, there is no valid use of this word -- other than to create controversy.

Form-Based Code Workshop – February 23, 2023 – Streetscape, Mobility and Parking, and Privately-Owned Open Space Standards

This workshop was attended on Zoom by 26 participants, plus five members of the City Staff and the Form-Based Code consultant Ben Noble. -------- The public offered their viewpoints on the topics of Streetscape Design, Mobility and Parking, and Privately-Owned Open Space for a total of only 20 minutes. ------ This is not the way to have the community involved in helping to make decisions that will change the form and life in Arcata. 

Housing at reasonable rents in the Gateway proposal will not happen unless you demand it

If the Gateway Plan is not going to provide truly affordable housing for the people who need it, then what’s the point? --- If working people can’t buy a home and they can’t afford the rent, then we need to think this through more.

Bike Sharing in China makes for BIG problems – See the photos!

Almost everything in China is done on a scale that is just about unimaginable for us. So what happens when bike-sharing companies that own millions of bikes go out of business? The photos here tell the story.

City Council meeting – Study Session with Committee Chairs – February 21, 2023

The City Council annual meeting with the Chairs of the various city committees. February 21, 2023. With audio recordings of the meeting.

Looking at the details: Coastal Commission approval of Arcata’s Wastewater Treatment Facility

Will the wastewater treatment facility have to be moved to a new location? -- The California Coastal Commission gave their approval to Arcata's plan to update and maintain our wastewater treatment facility. The permit allows operation of our sewage plant through 2052 -- with specific conditions. And the conditions for continued operation are very clear.

Planning Commission Study Session with Ben Noble – February 11, 2023 – Course Materials

Course Materials. Form-Based Code Study Session with the Arcata Planning Commission and Ben Noble. February 11, 2023.

Planning Commission Study Session with Ben Noble – February 11, 2023 – Part 2

Part 2. Arcata Planning Commission with Ben Noble - February 11, 2023 --Form-Based Code Study Session -- 1 hour 43 minute video.

Planning Commission Study Session with Ben Noble – February 11, 2023 – Part 1

Part 1. Arcata Planning Commission with Ben Noble - February 11, 2023 --Form-Based Code Study Session -- 2 hours 3 minute video.

U.S. Coastal Communities underestimate Sea Level Rise dangers

More than half of US coastal communities are underestimating the rise in sea levels that global warming might cause in their regions.

Visualizing Compatible Density

Examples of a range of density housing, with photos and descriptions. -- Density is a controversial subject in virtually all American communities and is often viewed as a thing to be feared. Density can be ugly. More bigger buildings, more asphalt and concrete, fewer trees and green space, less sunlight and privacy, and even less air to breath.

The Tale of Melon City

"The Tale of Melon City" is a parable of a well-meaning king whose desire for justice becomes confused by questions of responsibility and blame. --- "The ruler of a certain city one day decided that he would like a triumphal arch built, so that he could ride under it with all pomp, for the desirable edification of the multitude. But when the great moment came, his crown was knocked off: The arch had been built too low."

Berkeley modular “village” housing with rooftop garden

Garden Village is a 77-unit student-orientated apartment building located in Berkeley, California completed in August of 2016. Designed to echo the massing and rhythm of the community, the innovative design departs from the standard single-volume building. Instead, 18 distinct building volumes are spread out in a garden and linked by exterior walkways in a design that seamlessly integrates into the surrounding fabric of the community.

Pre-Fab Modular Housing – a dozen articles and more

Modular housing could be an answer to state housing crisis. A collection of articles from other sources, and lots of photos. Modules can be assembled into apartment buildings 40% more quickly and 20% cheaper than traditional construction. ------- From factories in Vallejo, Sacramento, Klamath Falls OR, Idaho, Canada, and China.

OLLI Presentation: The Affordable Housing Challenge – December 12, 2022

Danco president Chris Dart and Rural Communities Housing Development director Beth Matsumoto discuss the challenges of creating affordable housing. Chris Dart specifically discusses how buildings over 4 stories are not feasible, and that market-rate non-subsidized housing is a financial impossibility. Hosted by Jane Woodward as an OLLI "Brown Bag Lunch" Zoom presentation. With video and full transcription.

Craftsman Mall Dorms Environmental Impact Report is flawed

The Cal Poly's EIR says "Therefore, no additional fire protection facilities are anticipated to be necessary for AFD to adequately serve the project site, and no significant decrease in response time is expected. Impacts would be less than significant." -------- This is directly refuted by the Arcata Fire District. It is not safe for people to live in 7-story buildings that do not have adequate fire and emergency protection.

Berkeley approves housing plan, with pledge to upzone wealthy neighborhoods

The Berkeley City Council voted  unanimously to approve their 656-page Housing Element, an eight-year housing plan. The plan shows how Berkeley will add at least 8,934 new homes over the next eight years. The plan commits to rezoning several major streets in an effort to encourage denser development in some of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods.

Fire Danger in Arcata High-Rises — 3-minute video from Eric Black

*** A MUST-SEE VIDEO *** 2-minute 47-seconds by Eric Black, taken from the January 10, 2023, Planning Commission meeting. Eric Loudenslager of the Arcata Fire District Board of Directors spoke on how the AFD is unable to provide adequate fire protection and emergency services to the residents of a building over four stories -- and even a four-story building is a dicey situation. The AFD is saying that no more taller buildings should be built until this situation is conclusively resolved. *** A MUST-SEE VIDEO ***

Will we see 7-story buildings in the Gateway Area ?

Three local experts are telling us that tall buildings can not feasibly be built in the Gateway Plan: the Arcata Fire District, Danco president Chris Dart, and renown sea level rise specialist Aldaron Laird. Has the time finally arrived that we might want to listen to people with knowledge and experience?

Emerging Groundwater Report from the SF Bay Area

A 67-page report prepared in 2022 for Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties. "Low-lying inland areas could flood from below by emergent groundwater long before coastal floodwaters overtop the shoreline.... Rising groundwater can destabilize foundations... Contaminated Sites:  The interaction of rising groundwater and contaminated sites could pose challenges for public health and the environment. ... The areas most at risk of liquefaction are generally located ... in former floodplains, wetlands, mudflats ... that were filled for development.

Fred Weis speaks to the Planning Commission on Sea Level Rise – January 10, 2023

Aldaron Laird is a recognized expert on Sea Level Rise and its affects on coastal California and, particularly, on Humboldt/Arcata Bay. Here is a synopsis of a small part of his knowledge, as presented by Fred Weis at the January 10, 2023 Planning Commission meeting.

Arcata Fire District presentation to the Planning Commission – January 10th, 2023

Arcata Fire District Board Director Eric Loudenslager spoke at the Planning Commission meeting of January 10, 2023. Includes discussions of costs, staffing requirements, and potential response times involved for providing adequate fire and emergency protection in the Gateway area and throughout Arcata.

“Gulliver’s Travels” map from 1726 depicts Arcata and the Brobdingnagian Gateway Plan

Is the Gateway Plan an example of how "the can-do spirit of the times that led people to devise a number of illogical schemes that would purportedly solve social and economic ills." ****** See Arcata on a fictional map from the 1726 satirical novel "Gulliver's Travels."

Appeal of the Westwood Garden Apartments – January 4, 2023

At the City Council meeting on January 4th, 2023, the Council took up the matter of an appeal of the Planning Commission's approval of the 102-unit Westwood Garden Apartment project. The video shows the portion of the City Council meeting concerning the appeal.

City Council selects two new Planning Commissioners – January 4, 2023

Videos and discussion of the City Council's process of selecting two new Planning Commissioners. Choosing a new Planning Commissioner for Arcata is an important task. The ideas and opinions and visions that are promoted (or withheld) by the two new Planning Commissioners in the discussions on the Gateway Area Plan will have the potential to change the look and feel of Arcata for the next 50 or 100 years. 

Letters and Comments

Includes letters not published in the City of Arcata City Council or Planning Commission packets, and not published on the City's website. From the most recent to the oldest. Summaries of each letter are being added. Please return to this page for updates.

Siddhartha Claus is coming to town

Siddhartha Claus is coming to town! He knows when you're trapped in duality. He knows when you're not awake. He wants you free of all desire. So be free for Nirvana's sake!

Some City Council meetings are more fun than Arcata’s

In Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, concerned citizens ask the City Commissioners for $250,000 for funding a BDSM dungeon.

Cal Poly ignores Arcata Fire District response to the Draft EIR

The construction of a new dormitory at the site of the old Craftsman's Mall is of great concern to the Arcata Fire District. In summary, the proposed dorms will be two seven story buildings, and the Arcata Fire District has stated that they cannot provide adequate fire protection these structures.

Arcata Fire District Board Meeting – December 13th, 2022

A section of the Arcata Fire District Board Meeting of December 13th, 2022 regarding the costs, staffing requirements, and potential response times involved for providing adequate fire and emergency protection in the Gateway area.

A current resident of the Westwood Garden Apartments speaks to the City Council

"The Planning Commission gave up on what could have been a win, win, win, project. The people of Arcata, specifically residents of apartments, rely on our elected and appointed officials to speak and look out for us." "In a win, win, win, scenario, the City has more and better quality housing, not because of luxury fixtures but because of exacting oversight that necessitated humane housing. This is where people's lives happen."

To the City Council: The Westwood Garden Apts Appeal

The Westwood Garden Apartments project was approved by the Planning Commission on October 27, 2022. False and misleading information contained in the Staff Report apparently influenced the Commissioners in their decision. Ten days later, a group of citizens -- residents of the current apartment buildings on the site -- appealed this to the City Council. This letter presents the nature of that false information, and requests the City Council to waive the $1,867 that the residents collected for the Appeal Fee.

Arcata Fire contemplates Cal Poly Humboldt and Arcata’s tall plans

An article from the Northcoast Journal from September 2022 concerning how the Arcata Fire District is not set up to provide fire and emergency protection in the taller buildings. ----- The proposed dorms are is not larger than the existing BSS building, but this does not mean that the dorms are safe. The AFD maintains that in the current staffing situation, neither the BSS building nor the dorms would be safe.  -------To say that it "will built to the highest degree of fire safety standards, including full concrete and steel structures with a full sprinkler system" doesn't help either. Fatalities come from smoke inhalation. In a regular living environment there is plenty that will smolder and burn: Carpet, bedding, clothing, books, furniture, etc. The firefighters aren't concerned with trying to save the building. They are concerned with trying to save lives.

Steve Salzman: Let’s answer the basic questions first

Arcata resident, retired professional engineer, and former Greenway Partners partner Steve Salzman asked some basic questions in March, 2022.  What happened to the public input element of Planwest's Scope of Work? Why are we working on an Area Plan before updating the General Plan? How much additional wastewater treatment capacity will be required, how much will it cost and how will it be paid for? Sea Level Rise:  Update the Local Coastal Plan based on the most recent and relevant scientific studies and planning efforts.

Can the Superblocks of Barcelona work in Arcata? Yes!

The Barcelona "Superblock" design that is capturing the imagination of city citizens in Europe and all over the world -- Can this concept be applicable here in Arcata? The answer is a resounding YES. It is perfect for us here in Arcata.

Planning Commission Gateway Concerns and “Solutions” – November 11, 2022

Over the course of three meetings -- October 11, October 25, and November 8, 2022 -- the Planning Commission and City Staff created a list of what are called "Gateway Concerns / Solution Set." One glaring problem with that title: There are lots of concerns shown here, but no solutions.

Planning Commission Minutes are woefully inaccurate and deficient

The actions of the Planning Commission are perhaps the most permanent of decisions made by any City body, and yet the minutes are deficient, insubstantial and at times inaccurate. The minutes don't have to be this way -- Other City agencies are not this way. Let's improve this situation.

David Loya dismisses the 2010 Rail With Trail study

At the November 8th, 2022, Planning Commission meeting, David Loya acted as though he was familiar with the 2010 City study that proposes what amounts to a linear park on the L Street Corridor. But from his speaking, it was clear he did not know what that study contains. A suggestion to him: Come to the Arcata1.com website and learn.

Ben Noble – Form-Based Code Workshop – August 16, 2022

Video of the Form-Based Code presentation by Ben Noble, August 16, 2022. 1 hour 31 minutes. This was the 2nd presentation. With some questionable survey input from about 50 participants.

Prefab Tiny Homes in Villages all over U.S.

The Everett, Washington-based company "Pallet" is making $7,500 prefab tiny homes that can be setup in 1 hour to help solve the homelessness crisis. Its smallest $7,500 64-square-foot unit "Pallet 64" is now being used in villages across the US.

Petition to establish the L Street Linear Park

A citizens' petition to permanently establish the L Street corridor as a Linear Park, creating a walkable quiet open space running the length of the Gateway area.

Useful Links

A list of useful links, including links to the City of Arcata documents, Community Visioning workshops, and many interesting and valuable websites.

K-L Street Couplet – Transportation Safety Committee meeting, September 20, 2022

The Transportation Safety Committee at their September 20, 2022, meeting discussed how the City Council had asked the members to revisit and reconsider the strong recommendation to not construct the L Street - K Street Couplet. Instead, the TSC committee stated, the L Street Corridor should become a permanent Linear Park.

The L-K Street Couplet — An Engineer’s View

The joint City Council / Planning Commission study session introduced big problems when an elated City Council considered the Transportation Safety Committee's strong recommendation for an L Street Pathway and Linear Park and tossed it out the window -- well, sent it back to the TransSafetyComm for them to review. This presentation was the cause. Is it filled with misleading and possibly false information? Read it, and you decide.

Arcata L Street Pathway and Linear Park: Portal / Links

A special page for the L Street Pathway and Linear Park -- and a great place for all readers to learn more about the Gateway Plan. This page will be updated regularly. Come back for more!

L Street Pathway: Aerial Views and Photos

This page contains an assortment of photographs and aerial views of the L Street Pathway area. It will be updated as new images come in, so be sure to check back to see what's new.

L Street Pathway & Park — or another major road?

It’s a question of priorities. What do we want to see in Arcata? Do we make our roads better for cars, or do we make the Gateway area better for people? Yes, it is that simple.

Transportation Safety Committee: Portal & Links

A special page for Transportation Safety Committee members -- and a great place for all readers to learn more about the specific transportation and street issues.

Chimes of Freedom — Bob Dylan, 1964

In Bruce Springsteen's words, "This is one of the greatest songs about human freedom ever written." With versions by Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and Bruce Springsteen. Includes the performance before 300,000 East Berliners, a year before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

K Street / L Street Couplet Decision: A letter from August 16th, 2022 — one year ago.

Excerpt from a letter from Fred Weis to the Arcata City Council.  August 16th, 2022 -- prior to the joint CC/Planning Commission study session on August 23rd, 2022 -- ONE YEAR AGO. At that meeting very little was accomplished. The Transportation Safety Committee was asked to revisit their firm recommendation to ELIMINATE the couplet.

The Five Biggest Myths of the Gateway Plan

It’s fun to talk about dreams. The Gateway Plan has lots of goals. It’s aspirational. But I’m a pragmatist. I want to talk about dreams that can really happen. Arcata needs housing. We know that. Maybe the Gateway Plan could provide an answer.

The Gateway Plan Advisory Committee

The Gateway Plan Advisory Committee, as presented at the August 9th Planning Commission meeting and the August 17th City Council meeting. What is it and what will it do?

Steve Railsback – August 18, 2022 letter

EXCELLENT - A MUST READ LETTER -- "I am an Arcata resident and business license holder, and served on the Energy Task Force that preceded the permanent Energy Committee. The controversy over recusal at last night's meeting perfectly illustrates the kinds of trust issues the Plan now has. An advisory committee could make it clear to the community that key decisions are not being made behind closed doors by people with vested interests, and could turn skeptics into enthusiastic participants. Without such a committee, it's hard to see how the Plan could be anything but divisive."

L-K Street Couplet? David Loya says we don’t have the property rights.

The draft Gateway Plan calls for making a new L Street for the southbound traffic from Alliance Road. But Arcata doesn't have property rights to build a road. Community Development Director acknowledges this.

To Dr. Tom Jackson: You can do more — Please.

An open letter to Dr. Tom Jackson, president of Cal Poly Humboldt. Listed are some concrete actions that can be taken, for the benefit of all people in Arcata.

Mad River Union and Northcoast Journal readers — This is your page

A special page for readers of the Mad River Union and the Northcoast Journal -- and a great place for all readers to learn more about the Gateway Plan. This page will be changed and updated regularly. Come back for more!

K-L Street Couplet: Does the City have the Rights-of-Way?

A major component of the December 2021 draft Gateway Plan involves splitting the vehicle traffic on K Street and making a new L Street for the southbound traffic. Does the City have the rights-of-way to do this? Who knows?

The L Street Pathway

The L Street pathway could be a community jewel in the heart of the Gateway area. The City wants it to be a high-traffic road, taking all the southbound car and truck volume from Alliance Road to Samoa Boulevard.

Study Session – City Council and Planning Commission – August 23, 2022

The Joint Study session of the City Council and Planning Commission - August 23, 2022. "There were loudspeakers babbling but nothing was said."

Building and Massing 5: Financial Feasibility of Development

The Building & Massing Presentation that arrived on August 12 provides so much needed information, along with the first glimpses of the long-awaited 3D modeling. 5: Financial Feasibility of Development

Building and Massing 4: Height Ratios and Unit Calculations

The Building & Massing Presentation that arrived on August 12 provides so much needed information, along with the first glimpses of the long-awaited 3D modeling. 4: Height Ratios and Unit Calculations

Building and Massing 3: Proposed Setbacks and Massing Impacts

The Building & Massing Presentation that arrived on August 12 provides so much needed information, along with the first glimpses of the long-awaited 3D modeling. 3: Proposed Setbacks and Massing Impacts

Building and Massing 2: Solar Shading

The Building & Massing Presentation that arrived on August 12 provides so much needed information, along with the first glimpses of the long-awaited 3D modeling. 2: Solar Shading.

Building and Massing 1: Current and Proposed Height Standards

The Building & Massing Presentation that arrived on August 12 provides so much needed information, along with the first glimpses of the long-awaited 3D modeling. 1: Current and Proposed Height Standards.

Survey says Home Ownership is what’s desired — in a big way

The August 16, 2022, survey shows "Home Ownership" of supreme importance to the 50-or-so participants during the two minutes of voting. What's the possibility of actual, enforceable Home Ownership Opportunities to be written into the Gateway Plan? Very likely to be Zero.

Editorials from Fred Weis for Arcata1.com

Sea Level Rise expert Aldaron Laird, Danco president Chris Dart, and the Arcata Fire District Board of Directors, Chief, and Staff all agree -- for three different reasons. ---------- “Gulliver’s Travels” map from 1726 depicts Arcata and the Brobdingnagian Gateway Plan. ---- The Gateway Plan was anticipated in 1943 as: “The can-do spirit of the times that led people to devise a number of illogical schemes that would purportedly solve social and economic ills.”

Fred Weis reads the Brown Act to the City Council

It seems that the public is not receiving the information that is our right to receive, under the law. Why the public is not receiving this information is anyone's guess. And why a citizen feels the need to read the opening lines of the Brown Act Law indicates that much is wrong.

Les McCann & Eddie Harris: Compared to What?

The President, he's got his war. Folks don't know just what it's for. Unreal values, crass distortion -- Unwed mothers need abortion. Tryin' to make it real, compared to what?

Building & Massing Presentation – Overview

The Building & Massing Presentation that arrived on August 12 provides so much needed information, along with the first glimpses of the long-awaited 3D modeling.

“Dwelling Units per Acre” – Another terrible way of measuring housing

Since the aim of the Gateway plan is to provide housing for lots of people, then we’d want to see as many dwelling units per acre as possible, right?  To achieve more dwelling units per acre, we can do two things:  Build taller apartments or have more units on a floor (or both). And how do the number-crunchers make more units on a a floor?  They make smaller units.

“Housing Units” and “Housing Density” – Why these are terrible ways to measure housing success

To regard a three-bedroom apartment in the same way — as one “housing unit” — and equal to a studio apartment is just engineering-thinking. Instead, count the bedrooms. Count the number of people — adults and children — who might be living there. Homes are for people. Let’s not forget that.

Building & Massing Presentation videos – August 12, 2022

An excellent presentation of Building Height and Massing in the Gateway area. 47 minutes. With 3D modeling. A "must see" video.

The Gateway Plan Advisory Committee: Why it’s crucial

If the City Council chooses to go forward without the formation of this Advisory Committee, the completion of a good Gateway plan is, in my view, doomed to fail. Sorry to say that, but it’s sure how it seems to me.

Gateway Plan Advisory Committee introduced: PlanCom August 9th meeting

Introduction to the Gateway Plan Advisory Committee, as presented at the August 9th Planning Commission meeting. What is it and what will it do?

Gateway Plan Advisory Committee: Original Request

Details of the proposed Gateway Plan Advisory Committee were presented at the August 9th Planning Commission meeting . Here is a 1-page summary of how it would be set up and what it would do, and 2 pages with the 84 people who have signed up to support it.

Humboldt Association of Realtors: Let’s see some ownership opportunities

Letter from the Humboldt Association of Realtors requesting at least a 10% requirement of owner-occupied units to the Arcata Gateway Plan. 

Video: The purpose and value of the Advisory Committee

The purpose and value of the Advisory Committee Presented by Scott McBain at the Planning Commission meeting - August 9, 2022    

Organic Food Waste: It’s very considerate of people….

"It's very considerate of people to separate their trash." Perhaps require new construction to accommodate or have collection services for food-waste -- as is done in Korea currently.

Maps: Building Height Districts

Maps of the "Land Use Designation" zoning districts of the Gateway area, with a proposal for a new district around the Creamery Building. The line through the central portion is a potential "L Street Pathway" linear park and walking "mall" that would extend from Alliance Road at the north and go to Samoa Boulevard at the south. It would be a car-free area, adjacent to the Creamery District arts area, alongside The Pub restaurant and many future restaurants and shops.

To build sustainable cities, involve those who live in them

Urban leadership needs to develop a shared vision that guides residents on their individual and collective contributions. Urban residents need to be involved in achieving set goals. Reprinted from "The Conversation"

Humor of the Day: “Always do your best”

Always do your best, and don't ever give up. Right?

The L Street Pathway Deception

The "couplet" created by making K Street and L Street be one-way, one-lane streets seems unlikely to happen. And if it were to take place, the joyful humanity of the current L Street Pathway would be destroyed. Why does it seem that the City is not being forthcoming on this? Why aren't we presented with alternatives?

8th and 9th Streets: Where’s the parking?

8th & 9th Streets are proposed as one-way streets with bike lanes. That sounds good. But it comes with a 30% reduction of parking on those streets. That sounds bad.

Are you a Bicyclist? Some questions for you.

New proposed bike lanes for K & L Streets and for 8th & 9th Streets. Could we do without a K Street bike lane and instead keep L Street bikeable, walkable, and protected from vehicle traffic?

Traffic Studies, Anyone?

We've been promised to see Traffic Studies for getting close to a year. Do they exist? Have they been started? Can we see them? What is going on?

Transcript and Video: Planning Commission meeting — July 26, 2022

Gobbledygook: Could the Gateway Plan be approved before we even see the Form-Based Code that defines the design? This is what David Loya has outlined... and which the Commissioners say cannot possibly occur.

Does Building Luxury Condos Create More Affordable Housing?

This article is a re-print of the article of the same name in the July 25/August 1, 2022, issue of The Nation. It is...

Cal Poly: Craftsman Dorms

At the site of the Craftman's Mall, Cal Poly Humboldt plans to put in dorms for 1,050 students. Is that good? Well, 5,500 dorm beds are needed.

A possible 6-story design for Arcata

Here's a 6-story building that could work in Arcata, with some modifications. Originally proposed for Santa Cruz, it incorporates many of the design elements and features people here have said are important.

Issues with Ben Noble’s presentation

Ben Noble’s Form-Based Code presentation is good -- but far from perfect. The presentation could have been soooo much better.  Here's what was missing.

Other work Ben Noble has done? It’s not a good situation.

Arcata's consultant on the Form-Based Code, Ben Noble, and top City Staff have been unwilling or unable to provide suitable examples of his work. Why is the public being stonewalled? Is there something to hide?

We want Arcata to look like this?

Would you want to live here? Various photos of "Ugh" -- And we say:  Please not in Arcata. This page will be updated as new examples of "Ugh" roll in, so come back for more if you want. 

Meriam Park, Chico: Where Form-Based Code didn’t work out so well

Why the Chico Meriam Park development in Chico is a terrible example of Form-Based Code

Ben Noble: Form-Based Code Presentation

A short article with a link to Ben Noble's Form-Based Code presentation, from June 29, 2022. You MUST see this if you want to know more about how the Gateway Plan will work. Includes a Table of Contents to jump to a specific section of the presentation.

What makes a good form-based code?

Many form-based codes meander away from the fundamental principles that make them attractive in the first place. From the website of Smart Growth America.

Quimby Act Dreams — How do we get parks in Gateway?

The "plan" for human-access parks in the Arcata Gateway area is woefully inadequate. To make the Gateway area livable for thousands of people, we need real parks.

Letter to the Parks & Recreation Committee – July 13, 2022

Letter submitted to the Arcata Parks and Recreation Committee for their July 13th, 2022 meeting. Agenda item:  “Consider the Gateway Area Plan and provide a recommendation to Council”

Gateway Needs Parks!

Sure, there's open space.  But where are the parks? Gateway needs parks! How is Arcata going to supply adequate parks for 2,000 people? Parks = Community. Places to meet, talk, hang out. Children's playgrounds too. If we don't insist on this, it's not going to happen.

Ben Noble Form-Based Code presentation – June 29, 2022

Here is a one-hour presentation on what a Form-Based Code is, some background of its development, some examples nationally, some Northern California examples, and the nature of the Ministerial Review permitting process. 

Form-Based Code Overview

An assortment of articles on the Form-Based Code. Consultant Ben Noble's presentation -- transcription and improved audio track. MUST-SEE for an understanding of the Gateway plan.

Homelessness 85 years ago: How can you keep on moving?

Ry Cooder from his second album "Into the Purple Valley," 1972. The song is a Depression Era late-1930s song, in protest to California's "No More Migration" laws. Also here is the Sis Cunningham version from 1976,

Economic Development Committee meeting – May 12, 2022 – top video

Economic Development Committee meeting - May 12, 2022 With a presentation by Jennifer Dart, Deputy Director, Arcata Community Development DepartmentHer presentation starts at around 7:21...

Economic Development Committee meeting – May 12, 2022

Economic Development Committee meeting - May 12, 2022 With a presentation by Jennifer Dart, Deputy Director, Arcata Community Development DepartmentHer presentation starts at around 7:21...

Draft Gateway Plan: Policy Chapter 3: Housing – Notes

On June 28th, 2022 meeting, the Planning Commission will take up the Housing chapter of the December 2021 draft Gateway plan. Here are Notes and comments on Chapter 3: Housing of the draft Gateway Plan.

Transcript and Video: June 14, 2022 — Part 1: The Process

Another contentious meeting of the Planning Commission, with David Loya openly defying the Commissioners. The change of agenda from what was previously proposed and agreed upon is not discussed.

City’s Open House “Engagement Report” is finally (almost) here

Is this really the Community Engagement Report? The one we've been waiting FIVE -- no make it SIX -- months for? It's supposed to be a summary of what Arcatans want. Oh well. There's no Summary, no compilation of what people have said. Do we want 8-Story apartment buildings in the Gateway area? It still might be a while before we find out -- from official sources -- what the community wants. Unless, that is, we already know.

Global warming: What, me worry ?

Global warming, from a frog's point of view, perhaps.

3D Images and Aerial Views

3D images and Aerial Views combined with 3D images. Get a visual representation of development in the Gateway area. Includes an imaginary proposal by local architect Julian Berg for the car-wash site.

Letters to the Planning Commission — June 14, 2022

The letters to the Planning Commissioners are supposed to be in the PC agenda packets, so that the public can read them too. Unfortunately in Arcata, that hasn't always happened. Our city promises that this will get better, and that letters won't be lost. Can we believe them ?

Woody Guthrie sings the truth

Woody Guthrie's song "Pretty Boy Floyd" contains the famous verse: "Yes, as through this world I've wandered, I've seen lots of funny men; Some will rob you with a six-gun, And some with a fountain pen."

City Council: Let’s move forward!

To the Planning Commissioners and the City Council members: Let's move forward. While it's all good to be looking at the different pieces of the draft Gateway plan as you've been doing, there are larger unanswered questions present. It is my view that if you can get matters settled, then there'll be more efficient motion toward accomplishing what we all want:  A good plan for the Gateway area.

Highly Recommended

A view of the whole story. In Arcata, California, the Gateway plan calls for 8,000 people, possibly within 8-10 years. This will alter our town forever. Is it feasible?

In the media:  Articles and links — non-local

A growing collection of non-local articles and links that pertain to Gateway, Arcata, Humboldt, California, national, global, and (perhaps) galactic issues.  Please send us links to your favorites so they can be added.

In the media:  Articles and links — Local

A growing collection of local articles and links that pertain to Gateway, Arcata, Humboldt, California, national, global, and (perhaps) galactic issues.  Please send us links to your favorites so they can be added.

Why this website exists

Why this website exists? Because this is what Ministerial Review looks like.  The data center building on 11th Street goes against everything that's important to us. No jobs, no vitality. This is the blight in Arcata

Transcript and Video: Planning Commission meeting — May 24, 2022

Confusion and disagreement at the May 24, 2022 meeting of the Planning Commission. When will we see the Form-Based Code? Can Streetscape and Design be evaluated without it ?

Public Comment: Planning Commission and City Council meetings

Public comments from Planning Commission and City Council meetings. Transcribed from videos of the meetings.

City of Arcata Documents

Here you can read Arcata City documents. City Council agendas, Infill Market Study....

Planwest’s schedule: We’re completely off-course

We are completely off from the Planwest schedule for the Gateway plan. Let's re-evaluate where we are, and adjust accordingly. With specific requests for what the City Council can do.

Redwood City has PlanComish review

Redwood City's Downtown Precise Plan was adopted in 2011, after three or four years of development.  It is helpful to us because it incorporates a well-designed Form-Based Code -- and has a blend of Discretionary Review and Ministerial Review.

Video: Planning Commission meeting — February 8, 2022

Video of the February 8, 2022, Planning Commission meeting. Includes misguided views on the cost of housing. Public comment from Carlisle Douglas.

McKinleyville is transparent. Arcata is not.

How is it that McKinleyville has all of the info for their Town Center plan in one location?  And in Arcata, the same info is scattered all over the place -- or is in obscure locations that so buried that it might as well not exist. Read more here.

McKinleyville Town Center – The County web page

Links to the Humboldt County website for info on the McKinleyville Town Center, and Mad River Union articles.

3D Model flyover of the McKinleyville Town Center

Flyover showing the 3D model of the McKinleyville Town Center Zoning Map showing the future buildout of the proposed Town Center Core mixed use area. From July, 2021. 2 minute video

Top Articles

Top Articles Be sure to also check "Latest Posts & Articles" also to see what's new. If there are other articles you'd like to see on...

Transcription of the Gateway Plan Presentation, with Comments & Opinion

A full transcription of the 1 hour introductory video presentation of the draft Gateway plan. With comments and opinions about misrepresentations and false information in the video.

Watch the Video –Transcription of the Gateway Plan Presentation, with Comments & Opinion

WITH VIDEO -- A full transcription of the 1 hour introductory video presentation of the draft Gateway plan. With comments and opinions about misrepresentations and false information in the video.

Gateway Videos and Media presentations

Excellent brief video about the background and basis of the Gateway plan. Date: January 16, 2022. 3 minutes 42 seconds

Economic Development Committee – May 12, 2022

Economic Development Committee - May 12, 2022 With a presentation by Jennifer Dart, Deputy Director, Arcata Community Development Department Her presentation starts at around 7:27 on...

About Us

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The Gateway plan: An Overview

Nine articles that provide a simple overview of the Gateway Area Plan. From the early days -- May 28, 2022 -- when Arcata1.com was just 1 month old. If only we knew then what was ahead and how many more months it would be....

The Gateway plan: Getting Started

New to learning about the Gateway plan? Here are some articles and videos where you can start.

For the Planning Commissioners and City Council Members… and everyone

Here’s an assortment of articles for you to read and enjoy. Also be sure to check “Latest Posts & Articles” also to see what’s new.

Links to ADU information, design ideas, and more

Links to other websites with photos, designs, and discussion about Accessory Dwelling Units.

Draft Gateway Plan WordCloud

Which words are repeated hundreds of times in the draft Gateway plan? And which words are conspicuous by their absence? Hint: You won't find the word "sun" or "sunshine" there. Or "solar shade" or "solar shadow" either. There are over 28,000 words in this document. "House" and "Home" do not appear even once.

Affordable Housing: Thinking ‘Outside the Box’

Providing housing for working-class people does not involve rocket science. Major technological breakthroughs aren't required to create low-income housing. It is a matter of national will.

Planning Commission meeting video — April 12, 2022

Video of portion of the April 12, 2022 Planning Commission meeting. Vice-Chair Judith Mayer says Form-Based Code and discretionary review are not mutually exclusive, and will work hand-in-hand well together. Comments from David Loya on Form-Based Code and what went wrong with the Village project.

Opinions

Opinions The December 2021 draft Gateway Area Plan is not acceptable in its current form.In addition to large questions about the feasibility of the plan...

Transcript: Planning Commission meeting — April 12, 2022

Video of portion of the April 12, 2022 Planning Commission meeting. Vice-Chair Judith Mayer says Form-Based Code and discretionary review are not mutually exclusive, and will work hand-in-hand well together. Comments from David Loya on Form-Based Code and what went wrong with the Village project.

The Village Project: What went wrong?

Arcata's Village project was stalled in public comment for almost 2 years. A year after it was eventually approved, the developers withdrew. What went wrong?

Planning Commission or 1-Person review?

Which does Arcata want? Ministerial review, to smooth the way for developers, or Planning Commission and public input, which allows for greater oversight? We can have both.

Density Guide for Housing Types

A density guide that shows the variety of types of housing that is suitable for different density levels.  Which types would be suitable for Arcata?

David Loya at the Environmental Planners workshop – November 10, 2020

Presentation by David Loya at a "brown bag lunch" November 10, 2020. Hosted by the  Redwood Coast Chapter of the Association of Environmental Planners / American Planning Association.  45 minutes.

Getting Started – Cambia tu idioma

How to change the language that's displayed on this website Як змінити мову Cómo cambiar el idioma Yuav hloov cov lus li cas    

How to use this website

Welcome to Arcata1.com – Information for the Future of ArcataBienvenido a Arcata1.com – Información para el Futuro de Arcata(Para cambiar el idioma, presione o...

Delo Freitas on KEET TV – January 14, 2022

Interview with Arcata Community Development Senior Planner Delo Freitas on KEET TV, January 14, 2022. Talking about Arcata's Gateway Plan. 22 minutes.

HSU professor emeritus honored with environmental award

Bob Gearheart helped create the Arcata Marsh in 1985. Gearheart was honored with an environmental award on May 7, 2019 for his longtime work on natural treatment systems such as the Arcata Marsh. This artic;le originally appeared the Times-Standard.

How to submit articles, suggestions, and comments

How to submit articles, suggestions, and commentsWe have lots of smart and caring people in our community.  Providing homes for people who want them...

Business Uses in the Gateway Area – Jennifer Dart

10-min video by Jennifer Dart, Arcata Community Development Dept. Condensed version from May 12, 2022 Economic Development Commitee meeting.

Sea Level Rise – the basics

Sea Level Rise could affect plans for the Gateway area. See maps here of what Sea Level Rise looks like.

Arcata plans for future influx of residents – January 30, 2019

Arcata State of the City 2019 report. "“Other parts of the state are going to become uninhabitable,” David Loya said. “We aren’t going to prevent people from moving here; there’s going to be climate migration, so we need to plan for it.”

Open House – Survey Results [This is Satire!]

The Open House for the Draft Gateway Area Plan was January 21 & 22 -- FOUR MONTHS ago. Here are the results from hundreds of comments and feedback from Arcata's citizens.

Facebook Conversations #1: April 9, 2022

Here are some citizens' views, as expressed on Facebook. From April 9, 2022. Tom Wheeler, Chris Richards, Aaron DeBruyn, Meredith Matthews, Bonnie Carroll, Lee Torrence.

Robert Crumb: City of the Future, 1967

A single panel from "City of the Future" as imagined by Robert Crumb in 1967. "Everyone will be tuned in to everything that's happening all the time!" Note the captions on the buttons on the electronic devices: Economy, Politics, Science, Literature, Art, Facts, Fancies, Opinions, Ideas, Notions  -- just like a modern website news page.

Three things California must do to address Affordable Housing

Changing the RHNA allocation and Tax Credits could do more to help build Affordable Housing. An article from The Marin Post.

Steve Railsback – Times Standard opinion – December 8, 2021

Dr. Steve Railsback points out 5 major questions with the draft Gateway plan. A thoughtful and concise summation. From December, 2021.

“Arcata News” video of the Gateway Plan

Excellent brief video about the background and basis of the Gateway plan. Date: January 16, 2022. 3 minutes 42 seconds

Transcript: Planning Commission meeting — February 8, 2022

Transcript with added commentary. Includes misguided views on the cost of housing. Public comment from Carlisle Douglas.

Redwood City DTTP – Explore the document

Redwood City's Downtown Precise Plan includes Form-Based code and Planning Commission review. It all took 4 years to develop. The plan can serve as a model for Arcata.

Vancouver, British Columbia: 40-story buildings proposed

A plan for Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia involves new building heights of 40-stories, seriously changing the existing neighborhood.

Letters to the Planning Commission — April 12, 2022

The Community Development Staff packet for the April 12, 2022 Planning Commission meeting had correspondence received by the City about the Gateway plan. Some letters were over 4 months old, not previously available to the public or the Commission.

Letter from Andrea Tuttle, Ph.D. — February 13, 2022

READ THIS LETTER ! Arcata resident Andrea Tuttle Ph.D. environmental planning, former Director Calif Dept. Forestry (CDF), past Calif Coastal Commission & North Coast Water Quality Control Board, principal consultant State Senate.

Letter from Steve Salzman – March 30, 2022

Steve Salzman, former partner of Greenway Partners and co-founder of PlanIt Green, wrote this letter to the City Council Members and Planning Commission Members, submitted to the PC for the April 12, 2022 meeting.

Aerial Views of the Gateway area

Here are some aerial views of the Gateway area. The aerial views give a more clear vision of the size of the Gateway area, relative the area of Downtown and Northtown Arcata.

Gateway Maps: Historical Structures

Aerial image from 7th Street, looking north. The point-of-view is from a spot above the current Amerigas site. All the blocks to the left (west) of K Street are part of the Gateway area. According to the December 2021 Draft Plan, six-story apartments could be built across the street from these homes.

Gateway Maps: History and Size

Somewhere between December 2019 and December 2021 -- two Covid-impacted years -- the Gateway area grew from 87.64 acres to 138 acres.  Here's the history. Also: Is it 138 acres or is it 128 acres ?

More videos will be posted shortly

More videos will be posted shortly.

More soon

More soon. Come back frequently. Thanks !

Cómo cambiar el idioma que se muestra en este sitio web

Cómo cambiar el idioma que se muestra en este sitio web

Cómo cambiar el idioma que se muestra en este sitio web

Cómo cambiar el idioma que se muestra en este sitio web

Mad River Union Readers — This page is for you .

A special page for readers of the Mad River Union -- and a great place for all readers to learn more about the Gateway Plan. This page will be changed and updated regularly. Come back for more!

Mad River Union articles – Links on Fire Safety

Selected articles on the Arcata Fire District and fire safety -- from the Mad River Union.

Gateway Code critique, suggestions for improvements, and listing of errors

This is the placeholder for the 120-page document of critique and suggestions for Arcata's Gateway Code. It will be complete on or around Friday, April 19th, and will be posted in full at at that time. --- Please return soon to view the full commentary on the Gateway Code.

All L Street Linear Park Articles

Articles related to the L Street Linear Park, in one place.

All L Street Linear Park Articles

Articles related to the L Street Linear Park, in one place.

Policy CM-5e-7 — Retain the Class I trail in the L Street Corridor

Forward to:  arcata1.com/david-loya-trail-in-perpetuity-unless-it-changes

Newest Articles – Page 2

Newest Articles - Page 2 To return to the previous Newest Articles page, click or tap here.  

Gateway, General Plan, EIR documents and more — on the City of Arcata’s website

These are the links to a variety of documents that are available on the City of Arcata's website. In many ways, the articles containing City documents here on Arcata1.com will be superior to the originals. There may be added links to related documents, tables of contents, documents divided into sections, instructions, annotations, and so forth. 

Topical Articles

Timely and Topical Articles An assortment of meaningful articles, on a variety of subjects.  

Mad River Union readers — This is your page

A special page for readers of the Mad River Union -- and a great place for all readers to learn more about the Gateway Plan. This page will be changed and updated regularly. Come back for more!

Sea Level Rise and Groundwater issues

Sea Level Rise, Groundwater,and Climate Change

Fire Protection and Infrastructure

Fire Protection, Police, Wastewater, Infrastructure  

City Council / Planning Commission Joint Study Sessions: Dates, Notes, Information

Arcata joint City Council / Planning Commission study session meetings.

FW information

Strategy - Dates You can change the size with the + - buttons. Abbreviations: J-P = Jim & Patricia Mad River Union = MRU  North Coast Journal =...

Community Newsletters

Click or press on any date to go directly to that newsletter. July 5, 2023 - for the July 10th meeting . July 5, 2023 - for...

Gateway, General Plan, and other City Documents

The Gateway Area Plan, the General Plan, the Environmental Impact Report, Local Coastal Plan... and articles about these documents. There are many documents and videos...

Arcata and Community

Arcata and Community

The Creamery District – Selected Articles

The Creamery District

The Most Popular Articles

The 99 Most Popular Articles The Top 99 Articles

Parks and Open Space

Parks, Open Space, and Solar Shading  

Cal Poly Humboldt

Cal Poly Humboldt

Chapters

      Chapters Specific, Special, and Fun The Gateway Code — the form-based code — sets the rules for the “look and feel” of everything...

Look & Feel and Planning – Selected Articles

The Look & Feel and Planning in the Gateway Area and for Arcata in general - with 3D images  

Selected Letters and Articles from the Community

Selected Letters and Articles from the Community To view all letters from members of our community, click or press here.

Parking – Selected Articles

Parking in Arcata -- Selected Articles

Form-Based Code – Selected Articles

Form-Based CodePresentations, Workshops, Documents Ministerial ReviewThe discussions on how it would be set up, and how it would work

Affordability and Home Ownership – Selected Articles

Affordability and Home Ownership for housing in Arcata Community Development Director David Loya's ideas and writings on how to achieve Affordability and Ownership: Click here..

Density and Feasibility – Selected Articles

A selection of articles on Density, Cost, Feasibility, and more.

L Street Pathway and Linear Park – Selected Articles

A selection of articles, maps, aerial images, and opinions on the L Street Corridor Linear Park and the proposal for and against the K-L Street couplet. Includes link to the Petition for the L Street Linear Park.

Meetings: Dates, Notes, Information

Arcata Community-Led Meeting --  Tuesday, September 5th, 2023, at the Arcata Playhouse - 5:30 to 7:00 PM

Arcata – mobile

On May 14, 2024, it took the Arcata Planning Commission only 15 minutes of their time for a discussion and vote to recommend that...

David Loya on Home Ownership – May 9, 2023

As David Loya puts it: The Gateway Area Plan has three primary means for increasing ownership opportunities. First, as the unit count in the area increases to meet the housing needs of the rental sector, new units with comparable rents to bedrooms in single-family homes that are older will attract the current market sector renting single-family homes. The single-family housing stock currently in the student housing market will become less attractive as an investment asset, and those homes will open to the for-sale market.

Sign up for the Arcata1.com Newsletter

Thank you for signing up! It's good to hear from you. The newsletter will articles that are posted on this website and news of Arcata-related meetings and activities -- not other "junk." How frequently?  Up to you. I promise I won't clog up your in-box. Your e-mail address will NEVER be sold or given to anyone without your permission. All e-mails sent to you will go through this website -- not through any other entity. You can cancel (opt-out) at any time -- of course! I'm a person, not an anonymous organization.

Arcata and The Environment – Selected Articles

Arcata and The Environment Local, Regional, National, Global   .

 

 

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