UPDATE: The Blue Lake City Council is facing an urgent challenge as the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) pushes for an accelerated housing plan following over a decade of non-compliance. During a tense meeting on Tuesday evening, city officials expressed concerns about a proposed agreement that could impose stricter deadlines for the city’s seventh cycle housing element.
The HCD’s proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) demands that Blue Lake expedite its housing planning efforts. City Attorney Ryan Plotz highlighted the contentious nature of the agreement, stating, “The reason you don’t have it before you tonight for approval is a difference of opinion regarding the contractual obligations for the seventh cycle.” This comes after the city only recently completed its sixth cycle housing element, which was submitted much later than mandated by state law.
With the statewide housing crisis intensifying, HCD has ramped up enforcement actions against municipalities failing to meet housing requirements. Earlier this year, Blue Lake received stern warnings about potential fines for its delays. The city now faces a determination of 5,962 housing units needed across Humboldt County for the seventh cycle, a significant increase in demand.
At the meeting, interim City Manager Jill Duffy expressed her surprise at HCD’s aggressive stance, indicating a growing frustration from the state towards the city. Councilmember Kat Napier stressed the importance of addressing the decade-long compliance issues, asserting, “This is a matter of 10 years of being out of compliance that has driven us to this point.”
City officials are currently negotiating with HCD in hopes of reaching a compromise that would alleviate the pressure of the aggressive timelines. “We don’t think that obligating the city contractually is in the city’s best interest right now,” Plotz noted, citing the high cost of developing the necessary housing plans, which could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
As the city grapples with this urgent situation, the council plans to revisit the discussion in a scheduled meeting for November. City staff are actively working towards a resolution that meets both state requirements and the city’s capacity to plan effectively.
The situation remains fluid, and Blue Lake residents are encouraged to stay informed as developments unfold. The implications of this conflict could significantly impact future housing availability and affordability in the area.
For ongoing updates on this critical issue, stay tuned as we continue to follow the developments.
