Arcata council adopts 2024 General Plan annual progress report; housing progress highlighted

City staff presented the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report (APR) to the Arcata City Council on March 19, summarizing progress on the housing element and other plan components and requesting council adoption of the report to forward to the state.

The staff presentation said the city issued 22 housing permits in the reporting year, 19 of which were accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Staff noted that Arcata lags in producing 'above‑moderate' housing — housing priced above the moderate-income band — which triggers eligibility for state streamlining provisions (identified in the presentation as SB 423) that reduce ministerial review for certain developments that include at least 10% affordable units.

Staff described a new implementation‑measure tracking table added to the report that will help the city monitor progress on each implementation measure year‑to‑year. The report also highlighted the recent adoption of the General Plan 2045.

Council members asked about strategies for encouraging above‑moderate production, the timeline for meeting RHNA targets, and the implications of state streamlining. Staff said the city has three years left in the current housing element cycle and will begin planning for the subsequent cycle while pursuing multifamily and gateway‑area projects to help meet the numbers.

Council voted to adopt resolution 245-39 accepting the 2024 APR; inclusionary zoning was discussed as a future separate item. Staff will publish the adopted report on the city website and submit it to the state as required by law.

Context: the APR is an annual requirement to communicate progress on the General Plan and housing element; the discussion focused on how to balance local housing objectives with state timelines and incentives.