Blue Lake planning commission tables multifamily zoning recommendation until public comment closes

The Blue Lake Planning Commission on Tuesday agreed to table a recommendation to the City Council on a proposed zoning code amendment that would create a new multifamily combining zone and apply it to a specific site in the city.

Staff described the change as an implementation of Housing Element program HI‑14 that would add section 17.20.07 to the Blue Lake Municipal Code, allow multifamily residential uses by‑right on qualifying parcels (minimum one acre), include objective design standards, and streamline permitting. Staff also asked the commission to recommend adoption of an initial study/mitigated negative declaration (IS/MND) under the California Environmental Quality Act for the proposal. "Add a new section, section 17.20.07, which is the multifamily or the MF combining zone," staff said while reviewing the draft materials.

The IS/MND approach followed recent state CEQA guidance and, staff said, was chosen in part because the project site lies within 300 feet of Powers Creek and there was uncertainty about the boundaries of wetlands and water resources. "We found out that since it was within 300 feet of Powers Creek... we would just cover the city spaces and do a full on ISMND," staff said.

Several commissioners pressed staff on timing. One commissioner said the public comment period remained open and asked why the commission should make a recommendation before the period closed: "I don't understand how we can make a recommendation on this because the comment period is not open." Commissioners argued they needed more time to review late changes in the packet and to allow the public comment process to conclude.

The commission moved and seconded to table the recommendation until a later meeting so members could review the documents after the comment period closes. Commissioners discussed holding a special meeting or scheduling the item at the next regular meeting; tentative options floated included meeting in the week of the 10th or on November 13–14 to cover the comment period window. Staff said it will relay scheduling preferences to Gary Reese.

What it would change: The proposed combining zone and map amendment would apply to assessor parcel number APN 025‑201‑023 and would, according to staff, allow multifamily mixed‑use structures while retaining objective design standards in the Municipal Code.

Next steps: The commission will revisit the item after the public comment period closes and when commissioners have adequate time to review revised materials. If the commission ultimately forwards a recommendation, the matter will go to the City Council for final action.