Kathie Kelly – August 23, 2022

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    Note:  What is shown below is a copy of the original letter, made for this website.  It is included here only so that the contents of the original letter can be searchable.  (The PDF received from the City is in the form of an image, and so is not a searchable document.)

    What is below is not the letter sent by the letter-writer. It will contain typographical errors and other departures from the original.  The PDF displayed above is accurate.  The text below is not accurate.  It is printed here for indexing purposes, so that each word can be indexed and included in the search.


    Dear Planning Commission members,
    I’d like to weigh in on the Gateway Plan as a longtime Arcata resident and participant of the first‐time homebuyer
    program of the 1990’s. I moved to Arcata in 1979 as a student and always wanted to stay. Arcata is a special place and
    after moving to an outlying area for almost 10 years, I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to return here and buy my
    home. I know I am not alone in my appreciation of Arcata’s unique size and character as a small town with lots of community activities, safe walkable neighborhoods and easy access to natural areas. With these values in mind, I want to express my support for a measured approach to future growth and one that includes ample feedback and involvement from residents of Arcata who love this town like I do. I support a gateway plan that includes a variety of new construction including mid‐size apartments no more than 2‐4 stories and more on the side of 2‐3 stories as well as condos, duplexes, single dwellings and tiny houses. In addition,
    incentives could be provided for property owners to add an extra unit as a long term rental. These options can still
    provide affordable housing for renters or owners as well as maintain the character of Arcata. This approach may not
    provide the maximum number of housing units, but would allow for growth without altering Arcata as we know it. In
    addition, a more moderated growth would serve to avoid totally overwhelming our infrastructure. I think it is vital that
    we grow our town in a way that preserves what we cherish. For me, I would like to see small to moderate sized
    dwellings and apartments that fit the character of Arcata.
    Please continue to be open to feedback from all residents in a wide variety of ways including community workshops,
    study sessions, community polling and neighborhood meetings in order to listen to the needs of the community during
    this stage of planning.
    Whether you form an advisory committee or just provide ample opportunities for feedback from community members,
    please incorporate our feedback so that the gateway plan and general plan reflect the residents needs and desires as we
    move into the future.
    Thank you for your time and efforts.
    Sincerely,
    Kathie Kelly