The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) will soon decide whether the county will focus future development in existing communities or convert more farmland and timberland to suburban sprawl.

At issue is the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process in which HCAOG develops criteria to decide how much housing construction should happen in each city and the unincorporated areas of the county. The end result is a “Regional Housing Needs Plan” which also determines how much affordable housing is needed in each area.

The plan is updated every five years and guides “Housing Elements” for Humboldt’s seven cities and the unincorporated county. Past plans have directed over half the growth outward into the unincorporated county, resulting in conversion of farmland and timberlands to residential areas in McKinleyville, Fieldbrook, Westhaven, Humboldt Hill and Cutten.

If most development continues to be directed away from the cities and into the rural areas, Green Diamond could convert large swaths of timberland in the “McKay Tract” near Cutten into traffic-generating suburban sprawl.

Most residents moving into these new rural developments would have no choice but to drive to the nearby cities of Arcata, Eureka and Fortuna for work, goods, and services. Additionally, developers of these subdivisions would not pay for all of the increased infrastructure and city services that their housing tracts would demand. If more people were able to meet their daily needs close to their homes, then walking, biking and public transit would become viable options. Increased use of these healthy and economical choices would cut down on traffic and air pollution.

By focusing development in the cities, developers and city planners can partner more effectively to avoid unnecessary costs and inconveniences for all of Humboldt’s taxpayers and residents.

Another critical part of the RHNA plan is to provide affordable housing where it is needed. Transportation expenses can be a large hidden cost when housing is placed far from jobs and services. Focusing development in the cities and parts of the county with existing infrastructure will reduce the demand for travel, thus creating a resilient, safe and stable community even in times of economic hardship.

by Chris Rall

Get involved:

Contact the HCOAG Board and tell them you want to prevent conversion of our working lands to suburban sprawl.

427 F Street, Suite 220

Eureka, CA 95501

hcaog@pacbell.net

Stay informed and learn more:

www.green-wheels.org

www.healthyhumboldt.org