Arcata City planning commissioners set priorities for Oct. 30 joint study session with council

Arcata City’s Planning Commission on Aug. 27 compiled a prioritized list of topics to recommend for a joint study session with the City Council on Oct. 30. Staff told the commission the meeting is intended as a touch point for policy direction; commissioners agreed to forward a ranked list emphasizing housing incentives and code updates.

The commission’s recommended priorities are: 1) the HUD ProHousing grant and related work on form‑based codes and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) program; 2) inclusionary zoning and the density‑bonus framework (staff has drafted an ordinance and commissioners asked for a follow‑up conversation prior to adoption hearings); 3) consideration of a vacancy‑tax study, drawing on recent proposals in nearby jurisdictions; and 4) plaza‑focused items including vacant‑building ordinance language and commercial security measures such as scissor gates. Staff said packaging related plaza issues into a single, time‑limited study session topic would make for a more productive conversation with council.

Community Development Director David Loya told the commission the city was awarded a $1,000,000 HUD ProHousing grant to support at least two form‑based code projects in infill opportunity zones and to update the city’s ADU ordinance and create an ADU loan program. Loya said the award is confirmed but funds are not yet deposited into the city bank account; program details and target neighborhoods will be set after policy guidance.

Commissioners stressed that inclusionary zoning and density‑bonus language has previously produced different recommendations between the commission and council; several members asked for a brief, focused slot at the joint session to revisit the draft ordinance and offer final input before adoption hearings. The commission removed the local coastal program from the proposed joint‑session list, noting that topic would likely consume the entire study period.

Commissioners also proposed studying a vacancy tax as a short presentation item, with staff providing examples such as the City of Eureka’s approach and the commission using the session for initial direction rather than final language. On plaza issues, members said vacant storefronts, building upkeep and security measures are interrelated and could be discussed together to align economic development, public space design and safety concerns.

The commission asked staff to prepare materials and rank the topics for the city manager; staff confirmed the list and priorities will guide meeting preparation for the Oct. 30 study session.