Planning commission approves design review and sign permit for 764 9th Street on Arcata Plaza

The Arcata City Planning Commission voted April 23 to approve a design review and sign permit for renovations at 764 9th Street, a vacant commercial storefront on the Arcata Plaza formerly known as Toby and Jack’s. Senior Planner Joe Mateer presented the staff recommendation to adopt the California Environmental Quality Act Class 15301 (existing facilities) exemption and to approve the findings, conditions and plans included in the staff packet.

Why it matters: The proposal converts a long‑vacant storefront into an active ground‑floor use on the plaza, removes a small parcel of surface parking, and adds outdoor seating with an 8‑foot privacy fence in the rear alley, measures the commission said will affect pedestrian activity and downtown vibrancy.

Staff noted the project will: replace exterior siding with hardy material and painted vertical trim; retain and clean the existing brick façade; add two storefront windows and a new door; install a backlit metal sign roughly 4 by 8 feet with red LED backlighting; and construct an 8‑foot cedar privacy fence at the alley. "The staff report has an action and we recommend that the planning commission consider that action and approve the design review as submitted with the signed permit, first of all by adopting the California Environmental Quality Act class 15301 existing facilities environmental review exemption, and then adopting the action that you'll find is attachment A of your staff report," Mateer said during his presentation.

Commissioners questioned sign lighting and dark‑sky compliance. One commissioner said the backlit red sign could produce upward light trespass and asked how the applicant would address shielding or recessing; the applicant and other commissioners responded that red light transmits less vertically than other colors and that dimmable controls and shielding could be verified during building permit review. Commissioners also flagged a typographical error in one project condition that staff agreed to correct prior to final documentation.

Public reaction during the hearing was largely supportive; speakers told the commission they welcomed activation of the long‑vacant storefront and offered design suggestions, including historical color references for the decorative pattern proposed on the façade.

Outcome and next steps: A motion to adopt the CEQA exemption and approve the design review and sign permit carried on a voice vote. The chair announced, "All in favor? Aye. Motion passes." The applicant will proceed to the building permit stage, where staff will verify compliance with conditions (including sign design details, wiring concealment, dimmable lighting, and mechanical equipment screening).

Authorities and actions: The approval relied on the staff recommendation and the commission’s adoption of a CEQA Class 15301 exemption for existing facilities; the motion to approve was made and seconded on the record and passed by voice vote.