Origins of the Project

The 386-acre property has been the centerpiece for future growth of the Cutten/Ridgewood areas since at least the early 1980s. City, County and Humboldt Community Services District plans and infrastructure all anticipated a large population on the property.

The partnering families took to heart Humboldt County's General Plan and developed a plan for Ridgewood Heights to match the County's vision adopted in 2004 as Sketch Plan B. This plan, including "mixed use" commercial development and homes, was the result of more than 70 community meetings. Growth in the Cutten region already rings the project area while infrastructure is planned through and including the Ridgewood Village property. Details are included in the attached timeline.

Timeline

Since the early 1980's the County has placed the Ridgewood Village parcels in the heart of planned development for the region.

1980 — A federal grant was applied for by the City of Eureka to develop what later became Elk River Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, based on a need cited in plans to develop the Ridgewood area. The City of Eureka accepted $25 million from the State and federal government to fix current problems with sewer service and allow future expansion for the next 20 to 40 years. HCSD's district was the main growth area for the region, with Ridgewood Village in the center of those planning maps. City and County voters approved bond measures to implement this project.

1995 — The County adopted its Eureka Community Plan. The Ridgewood Village area was zoned for 940 single family units. The plan states that "the Board supports" a General Plan amendment for higher densities when a new traffic study is performed and associated issues mitigated. The Ridgewood Village General Plan amendment was authorized for processing by the Board of Supervisors in January 2007.

2003 — The County submitted a new Housing Element to the State based on its 1995 General Plan, with an environmental impact report. The State rejected the Housing Element for lacking enough workforce housing.

2004 — Five sketch plans for the region were developed by the County in response to the Housing Element challenges and to update the General Plan. Sketch Plan B, which includes mixed-use neighborhood commercial development on the Ridgewood Village property, was unanimously approved as the preferred option to pursue by a vote of the Board. Ridgewood Village matches the County's vision for Sketch Plan B.

2005 — The County's new Housing Element was approved by the State, including references to Sketch Plan B as the preferred option.

2005 — The Urban Studies Area Report of the County's General Plan update shows infrastructure such as streets and sewer lines crossing the Ridgewood Village property with a housing density of approximately 1,460 units.

2006 — In December, the Board authorized an environmental impact report for the Ridgewood Village project. The completed environmental impact report is tentatively expected from the County with Planning Commission hearings to follow.

2007 — The Board authorized the processing of a General Plan amendment to allow 1,440 housing units and mixed-use/commercial development for Ridgewood Village.