Blue Lake Approves Housing Element Update

Blue Lake City Council Approves Housing Element Update Amid State Pressure

After months of political debate and persistent pressure from the state, the Blue Lake City Council took a significant step forward by unanimously adopting an update to the city’s housing element on Tuesday evening. This decision marks a critical moment in the city's efforts to align with state housing laws, which have been a point of contention for years.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is now working to finalize an agreement that would bring Blue Lake into compliance with these regulations. The move aims to prevent potential enforcement actions, such as fines, which could result from continued noncompliance. Acting City Manager Dani Burkhart emphasized that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) being offered by HCD is an alternative to a stipulated judgment, a court-ordered document that would carry more severe consequences.

During the meeting, Planner Gary Rees highlighted the urgency surrounding the housing element update. He explained that HCD staff had requested an expedited timeline for the planning document after the council voted to complete two key changes by December. These include a zoning update and the housing element update itself. When asked if HCD was comfortable with the proposed timeline, Rees stated that while the agency generally accepted it, they still sought his professional opinion on the quickest way to accomplish the tasks.

Burkhart noted that even though the housing element update was passed on Tuesday, the rezoning work would still face challenges with the December 15 deadline. This underscores the complexity of the task at hand and the tight timeframe the city must navigate.

Housing elements are required to be updated regularly due to recent state laws aimed at addressing the growing housing shortage across California. Blue Lake has been out of compliance for several years, and this update is a necessary step toward meeting these requirements.

One of the key components of the housing element is the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), which determines the number of housing units the city plans to build for different income levels, including affordable and low-income housing. For the 2019-2027 planning period, the RHNA includes 23 units, along with 11 holdover units from the previous cycle (2014-2019).

Mayor John Sawatsky raised concerns about why the city received a recent enforcement letter, despite its efforts to meet the timeline. A June 27 notice of violation indicated that if the December 15 deadline was used, the compliance review would be delayed by over six years past its statutory due date, resulting in a legal violation. Rees explained that such letters are one of the agency’s tools to encourage cities to comply, and Blue Lake had previously received a similar letter in 2022.

The proposed agreement between the city and HCD would outline draft terms, milestones, and reviews by the agency. It also includes benefits such as technical assistance and a commitment to an advanced review process. Rees mentioned that this agreement would help avoid enforcement actions, which could be costly and damaging to the city’s reputation.

Rees also discussed the challenge of addressing the seventh cycle of housing planning. He noted that the city does not have the financial resources to handle this cycle independently, and HCD staff had requested an outline for both the sixth and seventh cycles. However, there is currently no funding available for the seventh cycle.

The agreement is expected to come before the council for approval in the future. Meanwhile, the housing element update has become a central issue in a recall effort targeting three council members who previously opposed the update. The update can be reviewed online at bluelake.ca.gov/city-council/general-plan.

For those interested in following the proceedings, the full meeting can be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCs-aUJ80Eo. Individuals seeking further information can contact Sage Alexander at 707-441-0504.

This development reflects the ongoing efforts of Blue Lake to address housing challenges and comply with state mandates, while navigating the complexities of local governance and community expectations.