The City of Arcata has made available its draft application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) competitive grant and it can be viewed here.
The goal of PRO Housing is to support communities who are actively taking steps to remove barriers to affordable housing. The City of Arcata’s proposal is three-faceted. First, the City proposes to update its zoning to conform to the General Plan 2045, which streamlines permitting and allows for densification. Second, the City will adopt an Accessory Dwelling Unit program that consists of a zoning ordinance supporting the development of Accessory Dwelling Units; a marketing program to encourage property owners to develop Accessory Dwelling Units; and the framework for City financing of Accessory Dwelling Units in exchange for affordability covenants on the newly developed unit. And third, the adoption of two new form-based codes using objective standards to regulate high-density development in two of the remaining Infill Opportunity Zones identified in the City’s 2019 Housing Element.
The City will be accepting comments at the City Council Joint Study Session with Planning Commission on Tuesday, October 24th from 6pm to 9pm at Arcata City Hall. The City also welcomes comments to Kiko Barr, Community Development Specialist I, by emailing kbarr@cityofarcata.org or mailing to Attn: Kiko Barr, City of Arcata, 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521. Comments should be received by midnight on Sunday, November 5th to ensure consideration.
*Updated on 10/25/23: Comment deadline updated from October 30th to November 5th.