Proposed Town Center coming to McKinleyville?

McKinleyville, Ca., (KIEM) Controversy swirls in McKinleyville as opinions differ in what many feel should or should not be included from the areas proposed town center.

Back in 2002, a community plan was initiated with a goal to include more housing, shops, parks, civic buildings and other facilities on certain areas of the un-developed property.

The McKinleyville Community Plan outlined the potential town center as an area between Pierson Park to McKinleyville Avenue. From Railroad Drive to an area south of Hiller Road. It also included the commercial area north of Heartwood Drive.

Right now, the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee looks forward to receiving more community input in hopes of gathering specifics in what locals will want their neighborhood to look like.

Vice Chair of the areas Municipal Advisory Committee shared that he isn’t sure if the general population of McKinleyville is aware of the town center concept.

He said if they aren’t they should attend a municipal advisory meeting, that way, the public’s voice can be heard and the committee can have some direction when creating the ordinance.

“It’s a process. As a citizen of Humboldt County we’ve been working through the general plan,” said Kevin Jenkins. “The staff is working on that now currently they’re working on definitions for the new zoning and that will be followed up with mapping of the zoning. The county staff have a long list of things they need to get done and they’re working through it and they have told us that the McKinleyville Community Plan and the Town Center concept are a priority.”

Jenkins added after the committee gathers all public input the group will present it to the Board of Supervisors.

The next Municipal Advisory meeting will take place Wednesday the 27^th at 6 PM in Azalea Hall.