From: Rachael Sm h
To: Sarah Schaefer; Kimberley White; Meredith Matthews; Stacy Atkins-Salazar; Alex Stillman; City Manager"s Office Subject: Comment on Roger"s Garage Proposal
Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 10:26:32 PM
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Good evening Arcata City Council,
My name is Rachael Smith. I grew up in Arcata and live in the Jacoby Creek School district.
I attended Jacoby Creek School from K to 8th.
I have been very disappointed with the discussion I have heard so far about the proposed affordable housing project at Roger’s Garage. I have heard a lot of fear and negative comments about the project due to environmental hazards. I understand that there is clean up necessary at the site, but the framing is flawed.
When brownfield sites are developed, they are cleaned up. If the concerns were made in good faith, they would be asking- how will it be cleaned up safely? What are the risks of not cleaning up the site?
I'm afraid the real reason for opposition is prejudice coming from one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Arcata against multi- family affordable housing. There are very few, if any, multi family properties in the Jacoby Creek School District. Which means, by design, the district does not serve many lower income families and students because there is nowhere for them to live in the district.
I cannot attend the council meeting tomorrow so I am writing instead. I would like to comment on the nature of opposition to affordable housing in Arcata. Many people in this community claim to be pro low income housing but find reasons to oppose every project proposal. Let's not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
I received an excellent education at Jacoby Creek, but it would have been improved by a more diverse educational environment in many ways including socio-economically. There is an abundance of research that supports that children are better educated and prepared for the world and realities outside of school when they receive a quality education among diverse students and families rather than in environments condensed with students and families from similar backgrounds.
The neighborhood and City of Arcata should be proud and supportive of the opportunity to welcome residents to Bayside who otherwise would not be able to afford to live in the neighborhood and attend JCS. It makes us all stronger.
I encourage the City to focus on what is important, which is bringing necessary and highquality affordable housing to Arcata. Thank you.
Rachael Smith