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Hello

City of Arcata Planning Commissioner’s, Community Development Director, and Senior Planner

I’m writing you in response to the action taken by the Planning Commissioners, on June 13, completely dismissing enhanced upper story setbacks.

This concept is included in the Gateway Form Based Code Draft. Page 23 and 24

I assume this option was presented by Ben Noble to address issues brought up at both previous Planning Commission meetings and Form Base code Community engagements.

It offers a solution to address Solar Shading of existing neighborhoods. Enhanced upper story setbacks represents a starting point.

If goal is to not penalize a developer who only builds 4 stories, then begin the step backs at 4 stories and/or define a clear distance to height ratio that take into a account the suns angle at a given time of year.

Since the policy must be objective, decide on acceptable maximum of what can be remedied.

If solar shading issues can not be addressed through step backs, then include a community benefit that benefits the entire neighborhood: A greater setback that offers open space to the neighborhood.

I welcome any comments or thoughts on my recommendation To completely disregard this concept is to ignore community concerns.

For this reason, I’ve included the three page document that reminds the Commissioners consider community concerns.

Thanks

James Becker