Coastal hotel project in Trinidad to be scaled down, says casino rep; Last week’s top stories

Like this, but you know, different | Amended rendering from the environmental document

Humboldt Last Week features quick local stories and typically ends with a longer one. Downloadable and on podcast networks for later listening.

In the latest episode of Humboldt Last Week

Options are limited in Humboldt County when it comes to hotels with ocean views but all that could change with a coastal project in Trinidad at Cher-Ae Heights Casino, and details of the proposal have been adjusted.

The project’s environmental document shows a stark six-story building with a rooftop event space. Now it appears the hotel will be redesigned and scaled down.

“We’re looking at reducing the height of the hotel to five stories with no rooftop event space,” said project rep David Tyson. “Four stories of rooms with a fifth-story lounge bar or meeting space with big windows to take advantage of the views.”

Tyson says they’re exploring a new color scheme and external treatment featuring a “more attractive northwest look” that better represents the community and culture.

With a vast majority of the rooms facing the ocean, the new concept maintains some of the original attributes like 100 rooms, an indoor pool, a fitness area, a possible partnership with Hyatt, and the addition of about 50 jobs in the community.

An environmental consultant is currently working on responses to comments on the aforementioned document related to wastewater treatment, traffic, design, stormwater, and materials. The consultant is expected to finish responses sometime in January and it will then be up to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to greenlight the project.

At this time the Trinidad Rancheria is aiming to begin construction in the “first quarter of 2019.” Once construction begins they expect it to take “14 to 16 months” to complete.

When reached incumbent Humboldt County Supervisor Steve Madrone said it was his hope that the project be scaled down to fit the natural environment and local community. Things appear to be moving in that direction, but still some want it scaled down even more.

“Most of us feel if it went to three stories we’d probably be OK with it,” said Jason Self, a vocal critic of the initial project.

The Rancheria will likely host a meeting to announce new details when they’re finalized.

Other stories in Episode 107

Alleged gun violence at an Arcata apartment complex, Eureka might be committing a national first when it comes to Indian Island, more worldwide attention on the passing of HSU grad and SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg, the presence of gangs in Humboldt analyzed, and much more.

Humboldt Last Week also has some lightheartedness, new music picks, and event suggestions. On the radio throughout the day on 99.1 KISS FM Mondays.

Episode partners: Ferndale Music CompanyCafe NoonerBongo Boy StudioTuyas Mexican Restaurant

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26 Comments
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Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
5 years ago

Good read.

JustWantToHeartheEndoftheStory
Guest
JustWantToHeartheEndoftheStory
5 years ago

Scale down? The new offer is what they wanted in the first place. When proposing new build in areas known for contentious neighbors, always propose something outrageous to start with, then “make concessions” to satisfy the outraged opponents. There is probably a Plan C tucked away in the architects office, just in case…

curlybill
Guest
curlybill
5 years ago

I saw how well that idea worked out for The Village project in Arcata.

Central HumCo
Guest
5 years ago

This is coming for all of those “Touri$t$” coming to tour the greenhouse$.

It’s horrendous in every way, shape, form, and thought.

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago
Reply to  Central HumCo

People visit the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg, TN. You can’t $ample the booze there because it’s a “dry” county. Seriously. You may have seen the TV ad.

People visit Napa Valley for the wineries and tasting rooms. Everybody $eem$ OK with it. The world keep$ $pinning.

What’s so “horrendous in every way, shape, form, and thought.”?

You’re talking about a nuclear attack or what?

Neverwrong
Guest
Neverwrong
5 years ago

You don’t like what someone wants to do with their private property? Buy it then you have a say so. Otherwise STFU.

Kym Kemp
Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Neverwrong

What happens when what your neighbor does affects you? Can they play music as loud as they want, whenever they want?

Can they dam the creek that flows through their land onto yours?

Can they put up a big building that blocks the sunlight from the garden you sell produce from?

I think there are limits. It isn’t as simple as you make it out.

LostCoastEMP
Guest
LostCoastEMP
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

True kym. Unfortunately “they” can do what ever “they God we’ll please as long as “they” have enough money! Sad? You can dam up a creek and grow 1,000s of lbs of weed and sell it on the black market….unchecked, as long as you have enough money!!! Happy holidaZe.

Neverwrong
Guest
Neverwrong
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I don’t think that’s the case here. I believe Nimbyism is at work here. I agree with your situations referenced but I see no such situations in this case. Maybe someone’s view is obstructed? I believe in properly rights. People who do not own(sic) the land should have little say. Property taxes reign supreme. Tourism is one of the few remaining economic realities for this region. A nice place to stay with a view us an attraction. Putting a restaurant on the top floor is extremely attractive. I’ll eat dinner there. Change is the only reality. The “good old days” never existed moving forward is change. This is upsetting to many including me. But dreaming of a past that never existed is counterproductive. If someone’s plans impinge your property rights there is a mechanism. Public comment is required. But have a specific detrimental effect on YOUR property, not some philosophical oposition.

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
5 years ago
Reply to  Neverwrong

NIMBY (an acronym for the phrase “Not In My Back Yard”), or Nimby, is a characterization of opposition by residents to a proposed development in their local area.

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago
Reply to  Neverwrong

You’re still wrong. Nice try, though. Nimbyism is a good point as we saw with the goat farm expansion in Arcata some time ago.

Hypothetical answer to your challenge: I paid a high price for my property in Trinidad because of the ocean view. Your hotel is ugly and blocks my view.

If you actually read RHBB’s answer, that is what she offered, examples of concrete detrimental effects, not some philosophical opposition. Public comment will ensue. You should be there and speak up.

tax payer
Guest
tax payer
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

first off i am sorry to inform you Kym that the rules do not apply here. that casino is on sovereign nation land and they can do pretty much what they want. and on a side note i doubt they can get that built in 14 to 16 months, probably more like two to three years and where are they going to put up all those workers that they probably have to bring from out of the area?

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago
Reply to  tax payer

OK, I forgot that this will evidently be sited next to the Casino on tribal land. That does change things. But they may not be completely exempt from local laws. If they built a giant unpermitted greenhouse, there would be jumpin’ Up and down about the horror and evil.

Wasn’t there a big sinkhole in the driveway a few years ago? There is a reason for construction permits.

Central HumCo
Guest
5 years ago

“OK, I forgot that this will evidently be sited next to the Casino on tribal land. That does change things”.

Me too. I withdraw my comment @ 11:46.

LCO side note, the vineyards aren’t in greenhouses.

tax payer
Guest
tax payer
5 years ago

wow it took me a while to find a map but it looks like your info is wrong

TQM
Guest
TQM
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Kym, the reason why there are zoning rules is because of people like your commenter Neverwrong.

Central HumCo
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Neverwrong

Nanner. Nanner.

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
5 years ago
Reply to  Central HumCo

NaNoo NaNoo. See you there!

Faro
Guest
Faro
5 years ago

The soveriegn nation gets their water from the city of Trinidad. Im not sure of the legal details of their contract but Trinidad might be able to shut down or at least influence what happens. And I’m sure the vast majority of Trinidad doesn’t want to see that monstrosity built. A three story building seems like a good compromise to me.

Of course the tribe could just drill their own well and install a water treatment system.

UpYours
Guest
UpYours
5 years ago
Reply to  Faro

hmm, i wonder if the rancheria considers all of trinidad and its opinions a monstrosity? Has anyone even asked? Pretty sure they are just doing the best they can with what they got, the only view being blocked would be the one from the parking lot.

tax payer
Guest
tax payer
5 years ago

Regulatory Jurisdiction Summary
State civil regulatory laws do not apply in Indian Country State laws deemed to be criminal prohibitory are applicable in Indian Country
http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/Jurisdiction-in-California-Indian-Country.pdf

Spikie
Guest
Spikie
5 years ago

I think the Hyatt is a great idea. I want to sit in the lounge on the fifth floor, drink a cocktail and watch the sunset over the Pacific!

Westhavenite
Guest
Westhavenite
5 years ago

YBig sinkhole yes because they put the creek in a pipe and filled around it in a haphazard way. Same with their leach lines that discharged stinky water onto Scenic Drive. They fixed that by burying the leach lines deeper. Then a”spring”emerged below Scenic Drive, creating a gully that undermined a house, causing one room to break off. It doesn’t matter that an active landslide reaches up to the edge of the proposed hotel. They have learned from all those past mistakes and will get it right this time. Don’t worry about the 18,000 gallons of water they will inject into these unstable bluffs daily – their consultants assure us it’ll be OK. And if you believe all this, I can offer you some prime land in Florida at a bargain price.

Dianne Rowland
Guest
Dianne Rowland
5 years ago

The casino is already using 11,000 gals. of city water a day. Luffenholtz Creek nearly went dry during drought years. Our basic water bill is $72 . That is whether we use a drop or not. If we are out of town for one month we still pay $72. The City of Trinidad has no say on what the tribe does on sovereign land. But they can refuse to supply more water for the hotel. So far they have not committed either way. In our town hall meeting locals were supportive of a more scaled down design, less stories and a more aesthetically appealing design – think Frank Lloyd Wright. Traffic impact was also a big concern with two off ramps & 2 on ramps in a compressed area along with an intersection. Unfortunately, I don’t think a more scaled down version was ever in the cards. Most likely it isn’t economically profitable enough. Or perhaps for Hyatt to get on board it needs bigger? And, by the way, if you visit the casino’s restaurant now you can already enjoy an ocean view.

Shel
Guest
Shel
5 years ago

5 story monstrosity … it looks like the fat sister to the county jail in Eureka. Maybe we need an oil Derrick off shore so we can have more pretty lights like a big floating Christmas tree!

Jeffersonian
Guest
Jeffersonian
5 years ago

If the casino isn’t bad enuff now the yuroks want to further deface their land with a giant hotel.