HELP SAYS COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT PLAN WILL OBSTRUCT HOUSING EFFORTS AND HINDER JOB CREATION

EUREKA – HELP, a coalition of Humboldt County residents dedicated to promoting jobs and housing for Humboldt families, today urged county officials to reject a proposed redevelopment plan for seven unincorporated areas in the County: Samoa-Fairhaven, Manila, Orick, Willow Creek, Fields Landing, Alton and Glendale.

“The seven areas the County is promoting to include in the redevelopment plan don’t meet the state requirements for redevelopment. These areas are neither urban nor blighted – as the law requires – and in many instances have never been developed at all. Obviously ‘redevelopment’ would be impossible in such situations.

“The law requires at least 80 percent of the property in a redevelopment area has been previously developed. HELP members can testify that the areas identified absolutely do not meet the definition of urban.

“State law limits redevelopment plans to areas where the private sector is unwilling or unable to develop. In fact, the private sector is eager to step in and develop these areas – if the County will allow.

“Instead of committing massive tax dollars and tying development up in red tape through this plan, the County should instead work with the private sector to deliver the right mix of housing and job opportunities.

“In addition, the adoption of a redevelopment plan would take money from the local community service and fire districts and put it in the hands of, and under the control of, the County Planning Department. The impact on these community service and fire districts could be catastrophic.

“Before plunging ahead with a program that could cost the taxpayers more than $500 million, HELP urges the County to explore other ways to promote jobs and housing for Humboldt families – at far less cost to the taxpayers and in compliance with the law.”

For More Information, please contact Kay Backer: 707-834- 8006