Planning Commission continues hearing on sauna manufacturer after objections over wood-fired heating and air quality

Arcata City’s Planning Commission on June 9 continued the public hearing on a minor use permit for Vondra Solutions, a proposed contrast-therapy and sauna manufacturing business at 40 South G Street, after commissioners requested more technical information about the applicant’s proposed wood‑fired heating system and the project’s traffic and lighting impacts.

The applicant, identified in the record as Zach Bondrech, described a two‑stage gasification stove the business plans to use for two saunas at a time and said the manufacturer’s testing shows a roughly 97% combustion efficiency that burns off smoke. Bondrech said alternatives such as gas or electric heating would raise operating costs “50% to 90%” and could make the business financially infeasible. He played a manufacturer video and said the units would produce negligible visible smoke once operating.

City staff, represented by Community Development Director David Loya, told commissioners that the permit package had been prepared under the assumption that the new saunas would not use wood‑fired heat. Loya cited a 2024 Arcata City policy that prohibits installation of new wood‑fired appliances and said staff’s recommended conditions therefore require a non‑wood heat source. He also summarized site conditions: eight contrast‑therapy units under an existing canopy, use of an existing office, and seven existing parking spaces. Staff recommended narrowing the driveway entrance to 25 feet and required a landscaping plan.

Neighbors and other speakers raised concerns about several topics. Darlene Spore, who lives nearby, said South G Street already experiences heavy traffic and speeding and flagged a flyer claiming up to 220 participants per day against the site’s seven parking spaces. Lynn Rouse asked that any new exterior lighting meet Arcata City’s dark‑sky standards to protect marsh habitat. Martin Robisto asked about soot removal and the long‑term impacts of particulates. A public commenter identified as Peter said Arcata’s air basin already exceeds federal particulate limits on some days and urged the commission not to add more particulate pollution.

Commissioners pressed for more technical evidence about emissions from the specific gasification units proposed, whether regional air‑quality data or manufacturer testing support the applicant’s claims, and whether any legal path exists to allow an exception to the 2024 policy. Staff confirmed the project had been referred to internal departments including engineering and environmental services but that staff had not performed emissions testing of the stoves and that the written recommendation assumed a non‑wood heating condition.

After extended discussion about public health, local air‑quality conditions and possible mitigation (lighting, fencing, landscaping, parking adjustments), a commissioner moved and the commission seconded a motion to continue the public hearing. The commission approved the continuance and directed staff to gather information on particulate emissions, relevant permitting exceptions in other jurisdictions, and possible site conditions; the hearing was continued to the Planning Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting on June 23, 2026.

What’s next: staff will compile available emissions testing, any manufacturer data, and feedback from environmental services and engineering and return the item for the commission to reconsider on June 23. The continuation preserves the applicant’s right to appeal any future denial and keeps potential permit conditions — including a prohibition on wood‑fired heat — on the table.