Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community (2011)

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Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community

of the Trinidad Rancheria

Comprehensive Community-Based Plan

December 2011

Prepared by:

Trinidad Rancheria

Local Government Commission

P.O. Box 630

Trinidad, CA 95570

Michael Sweeney, AICP

Opticos Design, Inc.

Sherwood Engineers

p:707.677.0211

f:707.677.3921

w: trinidad-rancheria.org

December, 2011

Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community

of the Trinidad Rancheria

Comprehensive Community-Based Plan

December 2011

Tribal Council

Trinidad Rancheria Staff

Garth Sundberg, Chairman

Shirley Laos, Vice Chairwoman

Lillian Strong, Secretary / Treasurer

Robert Hemsted, Council Member Seat #1

Fred Lamberson III, Council Member Seat #2

Jacque Hostler, Chief Executive Officer

Leslie Sanders, Transportation Manager

Amy Atkins, Executive Manager

Michael Hostler, Tribal Programs Director

Rachel Sundberg, Tribal Historic Preservation

Officer

Jonas Savage, Environmental Director

Jason Soto, Environmental Technician

Consultants

Local Government Commission

Paul Zykofsky, AICP, Associate Director

Alison Pernell, Project Manager

Anthony Leonard, Project Manager

Opticos Design, Inc.

Stefan Pellegrini, Principal

John Miki, Associate, LEED AP

Cailin Shannon

Michael Sweeney, AICP

Consulting Environmental Planner

Sherwood Design Engineers

Eric Zickler, PE, LEED AP

This project was funded by a FY 2009-2010 Environmental Justice: Context-Sensitive

Planning Grant from the California Department of Transportation

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Tribal Vision Statement

Honoring the Past, Living in the Present,

Looking Towards the Future.

Tribal Mission Statement

The mission of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian

Community of the Trinidad Rancheria is to preserve

and promote our cultural and traditional beliefs;

improve quality of life and self sufficiency; uphold

tribal sovereignty; create positive partnerships; and

protect the environment in order to provide a healthy

community, honor our elders, and guide our youth.

December, 2011

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part 1: Comprehensive Community-Based Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

Chapter 1.02: Transportation

Chapter 1.03: Housing

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

Chapter 1.06: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (to be added at a later date)

Chapter 1.07: Integrated Resource Management Plan (to be added at a later date)

Chapter 1.08: Watershed Plan (to be added at a later date)

Chapter 1.09: Forest Management Plan (to be added at a later date)

Part 2: Integrated Development Standards (seperate volume)

Appendix

A-1

Appendix A: References

A-2

Appendix B: Workshop and Meeting Notes

A-3

Appendix C: Community Image Survey Results

A-10

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Introduction

December, 2011

Introduction

and between 1950 and 1961 the Trinidad

Rancheria approved home assignments on the

reservation and enacted their original Articles

of Association. In 2008, the Tribe passed a

new constitution that replaced the original

Articles of Association and increased enrolled

membership by changing the requirements

for enrollment. Current Tribal enrollment is

206.

“soo-nee-hlek’”

The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of

the Trinidad Rancheria (Trinidad Rancheria)

is a federally recognized tribe with ancestral

ties to the Yurok, Wiyot, Tolowa, Chetco,

Karuk and Hupa peoples. While they share

similar cultural and historical traditions, each

tribe has a distinct heritage. The Rancheria is

within the aboriginal territory of the Yurok

peoples and is located in an area of great

cultural significance to the Trinidad Rancheria

and other local tribal entities.

The Trinidad Rancheria was established

in 1906 by an act of the U.S. Congress that

authorized the purchase of small tracts of

land for ”homeless Indians.”

The Trinidad Rancheria is now comprised

of three separate parcels that total 82 acres.

The largest parcel is located on the west

side of Highway 101 along the Pacific Coast

and is made up of 46.5 acres. This parcel

accommodates Tribal Member Housing,

Tribal Offices, a Tribal Library, the Cher-Ae

Heights Casino and the Sunset Restaurant.

Approximately 8 acres were purchased in

Westhaven, directly across Highway 101 in

the late 1980s and a third 27.5 acre parcel,

located in the unincorporated community of

McKinleyville, was purchased in the 1990s

and now houses 12 residential properties.

In addition to Rancheria property, the Tribe

also owns the Trinidad Pier & Harbor and

Seascape Restaurant in the City of Trinidad.

This property includes the main entrance

and access point to the Trinidad Head,

which hosts walking trails, and cultural and

historical points of interest.

In 1908, 60 acres of land were purchased on

Trinidad Bay to accommodate the Tribe. The

Tribe’s Federal Recognition was granted

by the Department of the Interior in 1917

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Introduction

December, 2011

Tribal Government

The governing body of the Tribe (Community

Council) consists of all duly enrolled, base roll

and voting members. From the Community

Council, a Tribal Council is elected. It is the

duty of the Tribal Council to govern all the

people, resources, land, and water reserved

to the Tribe in accordance with the Trinidad

Rancheria Constitution, such laws as adopted

by the Tribal Council, such limitations as may

lawfully be imposed by the Tribal Council,

and such limitations as may be lawfully

imposed by the statutes or the Constitution

of the United States (Cher-Ae Heights Indian

Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, The

People, The Land, and The Water, Marine Life

Protection Act Initiative Regional Profile, The

Trinidad Traditional Fisheries Coalition,

April 6, 2010).

The Tribal Council consists of a Chairperson,

Vice-Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer and

two (2) additional members to serve as Tribal

Council Members. Any Community Council

member (eighteen years of age or over) is

eligible to serve on the Tribal Council if duly

elected. The Tribal Council meets twice a

month—regular times, dates and location are

established by the Chairperson.

Below: Trinidad Rancheria Organizational Chart (Approved August, 2011)

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Introduction

The Tribal Council Officers’ duties include

a wide range of responsibilities including

attending all meetings, serving as liaisons to

advisory committees, and most importantly,

upholding the Tribal Constitution. Specific

responsibilities, duties, expectations, and

guidelines are thoroughly outlined in the

Trinidad Rancheria’s Tribal Constitution

(MLPA Profile, 2010).

The Tribal Operations for the Trinidad

Rancheria

includes

the

following

departments:

• Administration

• Cultural Resources/Tribal Historic

Preservation Office

• Economic Development

• Environmental Department

• Fiscal

December, 2011

Original Assignees

• Eva Duncan

• Carol Ervin

• Henry Hancome, Jr.

• Theodore James

• Mayne Keparisis

• Juanita Samuels (Letson)

• Fred Lamberson, Jr.

• Myra Lowe

• Betty Najmon

• Rose Joy Sundberg

• Lillian Quinn

• Harry Walker

• Cornelia Jean Walker

• Vera Green (Weatherford)

• George Williams

• Human Resources

• Library

• Member Services

• Office of Emergency Services

• Transportation and Land-Use

Tribal Sovereignty

Tribal self-determination is a goal of the

Trinidad Rancheria in all planning and

development decisions as well as the

protection of Tribal sovereignty. Tribal

sovereignty and self-determination is the

right of a people to decide their own destiny,

the laws that govern them, how their children

should be educated and how to drive their

economy and the right not to be imposed

upon by another government. Related to

this goal is the need of all County, State, and

Federal government agencies to acknowledge

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

and respect the tenets of Tribal Trust and

Government-to-Government relationships in

all interactions with the Trinidad Rancheria.

Federal Executive Order 13175 states that any

formulation or implementation of policies

that affect U.S. tribes by federal agencies

must recognize Indian Tribes as domestic

dependent nations that possess the right

to self-government and inherent sovereign

powers.

November 2010 Comprehensive Plan

Design Fair

In November 2010, the Trinidad Rancheria

sponsored a 5-day Design Fair to begin the

preparation of this Comprehensive Plan.

The Design Fair and plan were funded

through a Caltrans Environmental Justice:

Context-Sensitive Planning Grant. It involved

iii

Introduction

December, 2011

Above Left to Right: Tribal members work at Design Tables. Tribal members discuss priorities from a list of ideas.

Tribal Council and community members in

soliciting dreams and developing a vision

for the future of the Trinidad Rancheria.

Fittingly, the theme for the Design Fair was:

soo-nee-hlek’

Translated to English, this Yurok term means

“I dream.”

A Design Team of professional architects,

landscape architects, civil engineers and

environmental planners facilitated the public

presentations and interactions during the

Design Fair. The Design Team was led by the

Local Government Commission, a nonprofit,

nonpartisan, membership organization that

provides inspiration, technical assistance,

and networking to local elected officials and

other dedicated community leaders who

are working to create healthy, walkable, and

resource-efficient communities.

The Design Fair began on Monday night,

November 1, with a ceremony honoring

the Original Assignees, a free dinner and

entertainment, and an opening presentation.

Following the dinner and music, an

interactive visioning exercise engaged the

community in defining values important to

the community. “Design tables” with aerial

maps of the Rancheria and vicinity allowed

Bottom Photos: Assemblyman Wes Chesbro kicked off the Design Fair by presenting the Original Assignees with

plaques honoring their contribution to founding the Trinidad Rancheria.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Introduction

December, 2011

Above Left to Right: Design team explains concepts to Tribal Vice-Chair person, Shirley Laos. Design Team member

develops a concept.

participants to identify problems and actually

illustrate their own vision of the future.

On Tuesday, November 2 the Design Team

engaged specific sectors of the community in

focus group discussions with Tribal elders,

youth, staff, and other community members.

On Wednesday and Thursday, November

3 and 4, special “brown bag” lunch sessions

on Low Impact Development and Energy

and Resources Management issues were

held. In the evenings, Open House “pin up”

sessions allowed interested people to drop

by the Design Team work space to review

and comment on some of the ideas being

developed.

On Friday, November 5, a community dinner

was held at the Trinidad Town Hall. After

light entertainment, a closing presentation

summarized the proposed comprehensive

plan elements. Story telling and a regalia

show closed out the evening.

A second workshop was held on April 15,

2011 to conduct a Community Image Survey

and solicit community and staff input on how

to implement the concepts in the Comprehensive Plan. A summary of this workshop, and

a discussion of preferred images is included

in the Appendix.

Below Left to Right: Focus group discussions with Tribal members. A young tribal member represents the future.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Introduction

This document presents the comprehensive

plan and development standards prepared

by the Design Team in response to the input

received from Tribal Council members, Tribal

community members, and Rancheria staff

throughout the activities and events of the

Design Fair. The Plan is presented in two

Parts:

Part 1: Comprehensive CommunityBased Plan

Part 2: Integrated Development

Standards

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

A comprehensive plan is a blueprint for

future development and provides the basis

for growth that best serves the health, safety,

and general welfare of the community. It

provides a framework and policy direction

for land use decisions. Implementation of

this comprehensive plan occurs through the

Integrated Development Standards, discussed

below. This comprehensive plan includes the

following elements:

• Land Use

• Transportation

• Housing

• Economic Development

• Cultural

• Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Strategy

• Integrated Resource Management Plan

December, 2011

• Watershed Plan

• Forest Management Plan

What are Goals and Policies?

Goals and policies are developed for each

comprehensive plan element.

Goals: Goals are end results toward which

effort is directed. They are expressed in

general terms and are timeless.

Policies: Policies are direction statements that

guide future decisions with specific actions

intended to realize a goal.

Each Element of this Comprehensive Plan

includes the purpose, how the element is

organized, how the element relates to other

elements, an introduction and background

section to provide context, and a set of

goals and policy statements specific to each

element.

What are Integrated Development

Standards?

To implement the goals and policies set

forth in the Comprehensive Plan, a set of

development standards has been prepared.

These standards can be used to define desired

project designs as well as to evaluate project

proposals to ensure that they comply with

the goals and policies of the Plan. These

Integrated Development Standards are

included as Part 2 (available as a seperate

volume).

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Part 1: Comprehensive

Community-Based Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

Purpose

Relationship to Other Elements

The purpose of the Land Use Element is

to plan for and shape the future physical

development of the Trinidad Rancheria and

to preserve and enhance the Rancheria’s

quality of life. The Land Use Element guides

decision-makers including Tribal Council

members, Tribal community members, and

Rancheria staff in fulfilling the ultimate

potential for efficient and sustainable land

use within the areas under tribal ownership

and management.

The Land Use Element is most directly

related to the Economic Development

Element, Cultural Element, Transportation

Element and Housing Element. This element

is consistent with and balances the goals

and objectives of the other elements of the

Comprehensive Plan.

Organization of Element

The Land Use Element incorporates the design

plans presented in the 2010 Comprehensive

Plan Design Fair including concepts related to

expanding uses in conjunction with the CherAe Heights Casino and Sunset Restaurant

located on the Rancheria’s main parcel

as well as the Trinidad Harbor and Pier,

Seascape Restaurant and a vacation rental

located at the edge of Trinidad Bay. Land

use concepts related to the development of

administrative facilities, tribal services, and

housing on the balance of the main parcel

are included along with concepts for future

development of housing on Archer Road.

A set of goals and policies are intended to

facilitate implementation of the Design Fair

land use concepts.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Introduction & Background

Currently, the Cher-Ae Heights Indian

Community of the Trinidad Rancheria

(Trinidad Rancheria) has not formally

adopted a land use plan to guide

development of the Tribe’s 82 acres of tribally

owned land. During the Design Fair for the

Highway 101 Interchange held from May

17 – 21, 2009, input on land use was limited

due to the focus on a new Highway 101

Interchange to the Trinidad Rancheria. A

separate work session with the Tribal Council

was held on June 5, 2009 to further discuss

the desired land uses to be included in the

future once the interchange is developed. A

Land Use Conceptual plan was prepared and

included in the Highway 101 Interchange

final report. Subsequently, a Design Fair

held from November 1-5, 2010 focused on

the preparation of a comprehensive plan and

re-visited land use concepts and economic

development priorities.

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

November 2010 Comprehensive Plan

Design Fair

• One-stop tourist hub with mixeduse housing that blends into the

environment. Clean and green.

The “theme” for the Comprehensive Plan

Design Fair was “soo-nee-hlek’” (Yurok) which

means, “I dream.” This reflected the focus

of the Design Fair which engaged the Tribal

community in expressing their dreams for

the future of the Trinidad Rancheria. The

November 2010 Comprehensive Plan Design

Fair built upon the theme for the 2009 Design

Fair which focused on creating a community

vision for a livable and walkable community

center, the incorporation of cultural values,

and highlighted the proposal for a new

Highway 101 interchange to the Trinidad

Rancheria. The theme for the earlier Design

Fair was “noo-kwo-mey” (Yurok) which means

“Gather together, bring together.”

• Tribal buildings and housing use all

wind and solar energy.

Participants in the Opening Night workshop

of the November 2010 Design Fair were

first asked to write down their vision for the

Rancheria’s future. The Vision Cards raised

many dreams and ideas related to land use:

• Interchange and businesses, land use

plan, tribal community services, new

Tribal office.

• Museum and visitors center. Hotel and

gas station. Off-ramp. Vote as a united

community. Cut foliage for view of

ocean on scenic drive.

• Development with minimal, but

positive impact to neighbors and local

communities.

• Community center, youth center,

museum, trail to the ocean.

During the November 2010 Design Fair

focus group forums were held to identify

and discuss issues to be addressed in the

comprehensive planning process.

Issues

related to land use addressed in the Employee

focus group session are summarized below:

• Lots of opportunity at dock.

• UIHS building could be torn down and

provide new facilities.

• [Need land for] Cultural places: dance

pits.

Right: Issues were expressed using 3 x 5 cards

which were then shared with other community

members.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

• [Need land or place for] Tribal Museum/

Cultural Interpretive center. Build a

replica village for educational purposes

and tribal cultural use. Build it on main

parcel. Maintain housing on main

parcel. Land acquisition becomes an

important issue to accommodate all

these things, and continuous land base.

• Need community centers on both

sites [main parcel and McKinleyville

parcel]. Larger one on main parcel with

museum, library, recreation center and

gym.

The Original Assignee focus group also

identified issues related to land use as

follows:

• Would like to see interchange, hotel,

mini-mart, grocery store. Would like to

see Tribal Office moved to McKinleyville

due to limited land availability.

• Want to see interchange, service station.

• Remodel restaurant at the harbor. Make

it look better, handicap access.

• There could still be some housing on

the main parcel. There isn’t adequate

parking for a large event. Need busing

down to Seascape.

• Hotel should be here to capture the

view, with parking to support it. Views

should be maximized. Destination

resort. Link to dock, fishing, ecotourism, state parks, lagoons, Ladybird

Johnson grove, hiking, spiritual sites that

medicine people visit, bird watching,

Trinity and Klamath rafting, ceremonial

dances all summer. This could be the

headquarters. A unique hotel tied into

the environment and culture, state of the

art.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

December, 2011

• The casino has so much competition,

tribal enterprise should be diversified.

We were fine when we were the only

ones in the gaming business.

In keeping with the focus on cultural values

and traditions, the Design Team worked

closely with Rachel Sundburg and the

Tribal Cultural Committee in developing a

vocabulary to guide the Comprehensive Plan

using native Yurok terms. As with many

languages, English words do not necessarily

translate verbatim into Yurok words or vice

versa. Yurok language typically expresses

thoughts, feelings, conditions or situations

rather than words per se.

In preparing the Design Plans, six design

principles were developed for the Trinidad

Rancheria:

1. Plan with Vision — “key-chok, heychock-see-mek” (act on purpose)

2. Create in the Spirit of the Place —

“see-shon” (be a certain way)

3. Arrange the Right Use and the

Right Size in the Right Place —

“pyek-che-nee” (careful, perfect,

right)

4. Make a Center and an Edge —

“wo-gee”(in the middle) vs. “rewo-nah” (at the end or edge)

5. Put Your Best Face Forward

— “hee-mech” (in front) vs.“perkwery” (in back); and, “chy-yoh”

(hidden/private) vs. “wo-rue”

(public/visible)

6. Take Steps — “hlke-mah” (phasing)

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Land Use Conceptual Plan

the Pier and Harbor parcel (6 plus acres).

The acreage included in the main parcel,

Westhaven and McKinleyville parcels is held

in Tribal Trust status. The Pier and Harbor

land is within the jurisdiction of the City

of Trinidad. These land use concepts are

described and illustrated below:

The Land Use Conceptual Plan illustrates the

“pyek-che-nee” ( Right Use and the Right Size in

the Right Place) for the Rancheria properties:

Main parcel (46.5 acres); Westhaven parcel (8

acres); McKinleyville parcel (27.5 acres); and

Below: Schematic Diagram of Land Uses for Main and Westhaven Parcels.

Rural Residential

Institutional &

Cultural Area

Cher-Ae Main Street

Recreation and

Entertainment Area

(Main)

Rural Residential

(Westhaven)

Rural Residential

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

Main Rancheria Parcel & Westhaven

Parcel

As the main parcel of the Trinidad Rancheria

is opened to new public access via the

proposed new Highway 101 interchange,

it will become increasingly important to

define the more private tribal spaces (“chyyoh” or private, community realm), and the

public visitor spaces (“wo-rue” or public,

visible realm), as well as how the two realms

interact. Cher-Ae Lane is the seam or spine

that both separates and joins the community

and public realms of the site.

Currently, Cher-Ae Lane serves as the front

door (“hee-mech”) to both the community and

public realms of the main parcel via Scenic

Drive. Positive community development can

be implemented even before an interchange

is completed. A first phase (“hlke-mah”) could

incorporate a tribal center on the west side

of Cher-Ae Lane (“chy-yoh”) complete with

December, 2011

offices, cultural museum, recreation facilities,

and an outdoor gathering space with views

along the ridge. On the eastern public side

(“wo-rue”), hotel accommodations are added

to the rear of the casino, also taking advantage

of spectacular ridge views.

As the interchange becomes a reality, CherAe Lane becomes a “main street” and the

front door shifts from access via Scenic Drive

to access via the 101 interchange. Subsequent

phases could include small commercial

buildings on both sides of Cher-Ae Lane.

These buildings could include a mini-mart

and gas station, and an incubator facility to

support start-up enterprises. At this time, an

RV park also becomes possible.

Currently, the main structures on the

southern half of the main parcel are the

Cher-Ae Heights Casino, Bingo Hall, Sunset

Restaurant, parking, and a wastewater

treatment facility.

Left: First phase development of

community and public realms.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Right Top & Bottom:

Subsequent phased development

will follow the completion of the

101 interchange.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Casino Hotel

In August 2007, an economic assessment

of tribal coastal property recommended

development of a hotel to increase

competitiveness of the Cher-Ae Heights

Casino by capturing overnight visitors

(Preliminary Assessment of Development

Opportunities on Tribal Coastal Property,

Trinidad,

Humboldt

County,

California,

Economics Research Associates, August

2007).

A limiting factor for future development is

the availability of on-site sewage disposal

leach fields. According to a 2004 Community

Wastewater Investigation, there is adequate

treatment capacity to accommodate a number

of hotel units and additional housing under

alternative development scenarios (Winzler

& Kelly, Consulting Engineers, March 2004).

Another limiting factor affecting location of

a new hotel is an Alquist Priolo earthquake

fault zone that abuts the westerly boundary

of the existing casino facility. The purpose of

the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning is

to prevent the construction of buildings used

for human occupancy on the surface trace of

active faults.

One option explored by the Design Team

included relocating the bingo hall and

constructing the hotel in its place. This

option offers distinct advantages in terms of

proximity to the existing casino and restaurant

as well as westerly and southwesterly views

of the Pacific Ocean. Another option would

be to construct a new hotel adjacent to the

existing casino and restaurant. This option

may result in loss of valuable parking

spaces and would be less advantageous in

terms of available views. (See the Economic

Development Element of this document for

more discussion on the economics of a new

hotel).

During the August 18, 2011 Tribal Council

meeting, council members approved the

company that will do the feasibility study

for the hotel project. The feasibility study

is expected by November, 2011, after which

Sunway Hotel Group will analyze the

findings of the study.

Drawing by Joan Briggs, Architect

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Left: Sketch of hotel perched upon

the existing casino bingo hall.

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

RV Park

While parking is available for recreational

vehicles (RVs), no overnight facilities are

currently available. Providing pads and

hook ups for RVs would generate additional

revenue from overnight stays as well as

encourage RV operators to spend more time

(and money) at the casino and restaurant. To

limit the demand for on-site sewage disposal

(leachfields), the RVs would be provided with

a dump station rather than individual hook

ups (Highway 101 Interchange Community

December, 2011

Design Fair, Local Government Commission,

2009).

The land use design plan also incorporates

a new RV Park at the eastern end of the

existing casino parking lot near the off ramp

of the proposed Highway 101 Interchange.

The 2007 economic assessment examined the

feasibility of a high-quality RV resort and

noted that a premium RV Park would feature

approximately 15 sites per acre (Economics

Research Associates, August 2007).

Highway Retail

Gas Station & Mini-mart

Overflow Parking

RV Park

Right: Blow up of RV Park &

Highway Commercial Retail

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Above Left: Gas stations and mini-markets can be designed to fit harmoniously within a unique setting.

Above Right: This retail facility offers small retail stores on street level and individual offices on the second story.

Mini-Mart & Gas Station

Retail and Incubator Space

The only gas station within the vicinity of

the Rancheria is located near the southbound

off-ramp of Highway 101 west of Patrick’s

Point Drive in Trinidad. Once the Highway

101 Interchange is constructed, a new gas

station would serve customers and residents

as well as contribute revenue to the Tribe.

A mini-mart would provide essentials and

convenience items (milk, bread, video rentals,

etc.) to area residents and customers alike.

The land use design plan promotes

incremental development of both public

and private facilities as the Highway 101

Interchange and direct access to the Rancheria

becomes a reality.

Design Fair forums

and engagement exercises suggested the

possibility of developing other retail facilities

and incubator space where start-up businesses

could be located together and share many

functions such as clerical, reception, computer

stations, etc. In addition to space, many

incubators also provide technical assistance

to further support entrepreneurial and startup enterprises. Such assistance is often in the

form of business planning, marketing, and

micro-financing and other efforts to help get

ideas up and running.

The rise in alternative fueled vehicles (hybrid

and all-electric) strongly suggests that any

“gas” service station in the future should be

able to provide alternate fuels whether they

be biofuels or charging stations. This will

be especially important as the national fleet

of automobiles and trucks converts to more

sustainable sources of fuel and power.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

Cultural/Community Center

Throughout the Design Fair numerous Tribal

members called for a cultural or community

center.

Opening ceremony vision cards

repeatedly envisioned:

• Museum and visitors center.

• Community center, youth center,

museum, trail to the ocean.

• More education, more wisdom, more

land and housing, more beauty. Culture,

art (sculptures), unity — members

working together.

• Unity and education. Youth group and

sports.

Similarly, Employee and Original Assignees

focus groups spoke of the same need for a

center that could serve simultaneously as

a place for youth, families, elders, and even

visitors.

December, 2011

• Need a kids/recreation center. Place for

classes, beading, sewing, [and] sculpting.

Dressmaking, regalia making.

• Cultural places: dance pits. Connecting

cultural practices to future economic

development. Dance pits were

historically on the beach near the pier.

• Tribal Museum/Cultural Interpretive

center. Build a replica village for

educational purposes and tribal

cultural use. Build it on main parcel.

Maintain housing on main parcel. Land

acquisition becomes an important issue

to accommodate all these things, and

continuous land base.

• Bring the youth center back — funding

would need to be restored.

• Need community centers on both

sites. Larger one on main parcel with

museum, library, recreation center and

gym.

Community Kitchen

Administratice Offices

Multipurpose Community Center

Cultural Museum & Library

Rain Garden

Right: Conceptual Design of the

“village center” complex.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

Accordingly, the conceptual design plan

proposes a complex in the “village center” of

the main parcel (“chy-yoh”—hidden/private

portion of the site) that could incorporate

new Tribal administrative offices, as well as a

variety of community oriented facilities such

as a community center, library, group kitchen,

cultural museum or interpretive center,

gymnasium, and outdoor ceremony areas,

among other possibilities. This complex of

interrelated structures could also integrate

open space and native plantings into parking

and streets providing “rain gardens” and

other means of managing storm water runoff.

Housing

Over time, with frontage on the new

interchange, housing on the main parcel may

give way to tribal facilities and commercial

businesses. Many Tribal members feel it is

important to maintain some housing on the

main parcel, perhaps smaller cottage-style

dwellings clustered around common open

space. No new housing is anticipated on the

Westhaven parcel as the current land area has

been built out.

December, 2011

There are opportunities for storm water

management features that can help slow

down and clean water runoff. See Chapter

1.03: Housing Element for more detailed

discussion of housing needs and options.

Existing Pier & Harbor

The 6+ acre portion of the harbor site owned

by the Trinidad Rancheria includes the pier,

mooring field, boat launch, and maintenance

facilities, two parking lots, the Seascape

Restaurant, a bait and gift shop, a vacation

rental house, recreation areas, and areas for

boat parking. Currently, this area is within

the jurisdiction of the City of Trinidad. The

General Plan land use designation for the

pier is Commercial, as is the zoning. The site

is also within the California Coastal Zone

and a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) is

required for any development.

These harbor businesses, as well as all the

businesses located in the City of Trinidad,

play an important role in the local economy

and provide income to not only the Trinidad

Rancheria and its’ Tribal members, but other

local residents as well (MLPA Profile, 2010).

Below Left: Existing approach to Harbor & Pier. Below Right: Landscaping and seating offer opportunities for

relaxation and enjoyment of the Trinidad Pier Plaza.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Above: Plan of new pier and pedestrian plaza

The Design Team prepared a conceptual

design plan to illustrate how the area around

the existing pier (to be replaced with a more

durable and non-toxic structure), Seascape

Restaurant, gift shop, boat ramp and parking

area could be enhanced to better attract

and serve residents and visitors alike. This

design plan proposes a small pedestrian

plaza where additional shops and a possible

future expansion of the Seascape Restaurant

could be oriented around the new pier.

With a few modest improvements, the

harbor parcel may also be transformed into a

welcoming destination for tourists. By adding

a paved plaza, landscaping, and an informal

food vendor alongside the gift shop, visitors

can be encouraged to spend time along the

waterfront; a boardwalk connecting to the

beach can also provide easier beach access for

kayaking rentals.

A study by Economics Research Associates

addressed the economic potential of the

existing pier and harbor facilities. According

to the study, this existing facility is a

productive land use as well as serving as part

of the recreational visitor infrastructure for

the area. The study looked at the expansion

of visitor facilities, specifically the existing

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Above Left: Existing approach to Pier & Harbor. Above Right: Creating a plaza extension of the pier can encourage

visitors to spend time along the waterfront.

Seascape Restaurant and specialty retail

shops (Economics Research Associates,

August 2007).

water and phone. In-water construction will

be completed by January 31, 2012 with project

completion by May 15, 2012.

Reconstruction of the pier began in

September 2011. The purpose of the Project

is to correct the structural deficiencies of the

pier originally constructed in 1946, improving

the pier utilities for the benefit of the public,

and to indirectly improve the water quality

conditions and provide additional habitat for

the biological community. The new pier will

be 540’ long and will vary in width from 24’26’ to match the previous footprint. The pier

will be built with precast concrete decking,

concrete piles including batter and moorage

piles, four hoists, standard lights, guardrail

and dock utilities pipes including power,

The Trinidad Rancheria contracted with

Humboldt State University to conduct a

Cultural Resources Survey specific to the

Trinidad Pier Reconstruction Site.

This

investigation was conducted to determine if

historic properties are present in the Area of

Potential Affect and if they will be affected

by the proposed Trinidad Pier Reconstruction

Project. The determination of the study found

that the Trinidad Pier Reconstruction Project

will result in a “No Historic Properties

Affected” (per NHPA Section 106) and “No

Significant Impacts on Historical Resources”

(per CEQA).

Below Left: Existing beach access. Below Right: A boardwalk connecting to the beach can offer access to the Bay via

sea kayaks.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

Archer Road Housing Parcels,

McKinleyville

The McKinleyville parcel is conceived as an

opportunity to meet much of the Rancheria’s

growing housing needs. Currently, 12 houses

have been constructed and are occupied.

Many existing homes in McKinleyville have

December, 2011

enough space to build secondary residences

on their lots for family members. Between

Pishka and Twe Goh roads, there is also

available tribal land for new development,

which can incorporate an additional 8-16

units (depending on density) and a small

community center facility around a common

park.

Right Top: A combination of

secondary dwelling units and

new housing development can

expand available housing. Right

Bottom: In this conceptual plan,

new housing is shown on smaller

lots. Open space is available

for a common leach field and

community center.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Above: A view across common open space from a new community center.

Low Impact Development (LID)

The Tribal Council and community members

support the concept of sustainability, and

green development and building practices.

As part of the 2009 Design Fair, the Tribal

Council adopted the Ahwahnee Principles for

Resource-Efficient Communities. During the

November 2010 Design Fair a presentation

and forum discussion focused on low impact

development.

Low Impact Development (LID) is a

philosophy of stormwater management that

seeks to:

• Repair hydrological and ecological

function to urbanized watersheds.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

• Retreat from capturing stormwater in

underground pipes and shipping it

offsite as quickly as possible.

• Mimic natural hydrologic processes by

utilizing landscaped/pervious areas to

manage stormwater near its source

Currently,

stormwater

runoff

from

impervious surfaces (rooftops, paved roads,

walkways, driveways and parking lots)

peaks during and immediately after major

rain events. Stormwater runoff from parking

lots and roads contain oils and grease that

adversely affect water quality. Runoff often

causes erosion, further affecting water quality

and often undermining roads, utilities, and

building foundations downstream from the

discharge point.

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Above Left: Currently, storm water drains to drop inlets which are connected to pipes that convey the water

downstream. Above Right: Stormwater drains to a bioretention facility which slows runoff and provides initial filtering.

Functioning Landscapes

Hardscape Solutions

Stormwater needs to be decentralized,

incorporating low impact solutions. In order

to accommodate runoff onsite as much as

possible, small basins can be installed to slow

runoff and infiltrate into the ground whenever

possible. LID incorporates Best Management

Practices (BMPs) that require limits on hard

(impervious) area, both in public right-of-way

and private property; require that 5% of hard

(impervious) surfaces will function as onsite bioretention or infiltration regardless of

the size of the development; and, regulations

for a 2-year storm frequency on-site, 10-year

frequency at the “block” level.

Pervious paving allows rainwater to either

pass through the paving system itself or

through joint openings between the pavers.

Streets and parking lots can be designed

with a landscape and/or paving system

that captures, slows, filters, and potentially

infiltrates stormwater runoff. Green streets

and parking lots provide stormwater

reduction and water quality benefits to runoff

before discharging to local creeks.

Bottom Left to Right:

Impervious surfaces cause

stormwater to “pond” before

running off. Permeable surfaces

allow stormwater to infiltrate into

the ground below.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Above Left: At a larger scale, runoff can be directed to drainage swales that retain and provide initial treatment.

Above Right: Open space and native plantings can be integrated into parking lots and streets.

Land Use Development Review Process

Currently, there is no formal structure

or process for reviewing or approving

development projects on Rancheria lands.

Proposed developments do undergo a de

facto review and approval process that

involves, depending on the project, the

Environmental

Department,

Cultural

Resources, and ultimately the Tribal CEO,

Tribal Council, and Community Council.

Discussions with staff determined that

the need for some kind of formal review

process was essential in implementing the

goals and policies of this Comprehensive

Plan and related Integrated Development

Standards. Certainly, the Tribal Council will

want some kind of review and approval

authority established before they can begin to

implement the Comprehensive Plan.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

The common theme in discussions of review

processes was to keep it simple. There was

general agreement that a set of standards or

checklist items would help evaluate proposed

projects and form the basis of approval

or denial.

Standards could cover basic

development activities such as grading and

site disturbance, tree removal, landscaping

and building plans (including design

review). In the future, formally established

committee(s) or boards could be created with

the authority to review proposed projects.

Until then, it is likely that the Tribal Council

will be the body responsible for reviewing

and approving development projects. Part II

of the Comprehensive Plan will address the

development standards in more detail.

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Land Use Goals and Policies

Goal 1.01.A — Promote Sense of Place and Connectedness

Policy 1.01.A-1 — Manage growth to maintain the unique qualities and

character of the Trinidad Rancheria as a small coastal Native American

community.

Policy 1.01.A-2 — In developing land, respect ceremonial areas and

individual site features and characteristics, including topography, natural

features, and the presence of sensitive biological resources.

Policy 1.01.A-3 — Ensure new development minimizes potential visual

impacts and does not detract from the scenic character of Rancheria lands.

Goal 1.01.B — Promote Efficient Land Uses

Policy 1.01.B-1 — Encourage innovative land use patterns including

planned developments, mixed uses, and compact development that

promote proximity of destinations and linkages.

Policy 1.01.B-2 — Develop Design Plans & Development Standards for five

special study areas:

1. Trinidad Pier & Harbor

2. Tribal multi-purpose community center

3. Tribal incubator & community retail

4. Tribal casino, hotel, RV park, mini-mart & gas station

5. New housing on Archer Road

Policy 1.01.B-3 — All new development shall meet community standards

for design quality, open space preservation, and promotion of a livable,

sustainable community.

Policy 1.01.B-4 — For new commercial development, locate buildings closer

to the street, where appropriate, and locate off-street parking areas to the

rear of commercial buildings, where feasible.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

Policy 1.01.B-5 — Encourage use of “green construction” and low impact

development techniques as a means to reduce the environmental impacts

of construction activity.

Policy 1.01.B-6 — Encourage all additions and new development to follow

green building practices for design, construction, and operation and to

incorporate as many LEED prerequisites and credits as feasible.

Goal 1.01.C — Avoid Hazards, Nuisances, and Environmental Degradation

Policy 1.01.C-1 — In developing land, respect natural hazards and

constraints (steep slopes, fault lines, etc.), avoid nuisance level conditions

such as offsite light and glare, excessive noise, etc., and employ Best

Management Practices for storm water management.

Policy 1.01.C-2 — Reduce overdependence on automobiles and green house

gas emissions by developing walking and bicycling trails that connect to

primary destinations on the Rancheria.

Policy 1.01.C-3 — Encourage energy efficiency and water conservation for

new development and by retro-fitting existing facilities and structures.

Policy 1.01.C-4 — For landscaping, avoid exotic plants in favor of native

plants. Remove invasive exotic species on a regular basis.

Policy 1.01.C-5 — Adopt a noise ordinance for nuisance level noise

conditions on Rancheria land. (Model Noise Ordinances are available

through the State Office of Noise Control).

Goal 1.01.D — Development Project Review and Approval

Policy 1.01.D-1 — Develop a structure and process for reviewing proposed

land use development projects to ensure compliance with Comprehensive

Plan policies and Integrated Development Standards.

Policy 1.01.D-1 — Adopt development standards to implement the Land

Use Element and for use in reviewing proposed development projects.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.01: Land Use

December, 2011

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Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

December, 2011

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

The Element includes a summary of the

Highway 101 Interchange Design Fair held

in August 2009. The purpose of this Design

Fair was to develop and evaluate alternative

interchange locations and configurations to

provide direct access from Highway 101 to

the Rancheria’s main parcel, especially the

casino and restaurant.

Relationship to Other Elements

Above: The nose, heart, and lungs of

a coastal Redwood canoe.

Purpose

The purpose of transportation planning is

to fulfill goals by developing strategies to

meet transportation needs. These strategies

address current and future land use, economic

development, traffic demand, public safety,

health, and social needs.

Organization of Element

The Transportation Element incorporates

much of the information included in the

Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Transportation Plan

which covers a 20-year timeframe from 20062026. In addition, this Element chronicles

the history of transportation prior to

European contact as well as the development

of a highway system through the State of

California, including State Highway 101.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Transportation planning is an element of

comprehensive planning as all planning is

interrelated. The Transportation Element is

directly related to the Land Use, Housing,

and Economic Development Elements. It also

addresses issues related to public health and

safety, and environmental sustainability. This

element is consistent with and balances the

goals and objectives of the other elements of

the Comprehensive Plan.

Introduction & Background

Transportation History – Pre-Contact

The traditional names for the Yurok people

living on the coast was Nr’r’nr. Yurok is a

Karuk name meaning “downriver.” Within

the original ancestral territory there were

approximately 74 known village sites, which

were situated along the banks of the Klamath

or along the ocean streams and lagoons.

These sites included fishing and hunting

spots, permanent home sites, seasonal sites,

gathering areas, training grounds, and

spiritual power sites. As the Yurok people

lived along rivers and the ocean, canoes were

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

December, 2011

Above Left and Right: Coastal Yurok made large ocean-going canoes to harvest seafood as well as for coastal trading.

one of the principal modes of transportation.

Redwood dugout canoes were used for

fishing and travel and also used in world

renewal ceremonies. As the canoes were

made of only Redwood, which was restricted

to the coast, canoes were produced by the

Yurok and traded primarily to the upriver

Hupa and Karuk people as far south as Cape

Mendocino and as far north as Port Orford

(Oregon). Coastal Yurok made large oceangoing canoes, thirty to forty feet long, six

to eight feet in beam, and three feet deep.

These canoes could haul up to five tons of

cargo and were customarily paddled by five

to twenty paddlers and an oarsman who

steered the boat from the back. Ocean-going

canoes were primarily used along the coast

and in the Klamath River, Little River, and

Redwood Creek estuaries to harvest mussels,

coastal shellfish, salmon, lingcod, seals, otter,

and sea lions, as well as for coastal trading.

Yurok canoes are considered to have a living

spirit and are carved to reflect the human

body, with eyes, a nose, lungs, a heart, a belly,

and kidneys (A History of Transportation on

the Yurok Indian Reservation, Humboldt and Del

Norte Counties, California, Yurok Tribe, Winzler

& Kelly, Consulting Engineers, January 18,

2005).

Although the Klamath River was a primary

means of transportation, an elaborate trail

system was also heavily utilized. These trails

were more than a way of getting from point A

to point B. Rather they were a way of “going

around,” of conversing, and as a way of being

Yurok.

The Yurok also considered these footpaths

“like people” and believed they must be

treated with respect. Heavily utilized trails

had many resting spots where users could

stop and catch their breath. Predominantly,

Yurok trails followed ridgelines and covered

an estimated 269 linear miles. Many of the

Yurok trails are now roads, which may have

first been developed as military roads, then

postal routes, and later improved roads for

Right: A replica canoe carved out of Redwood.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

wagons, and automobiles traffic. Of the 269

linear miles of traditional Yurok trails, it is

estimated that 52% have been covered with

modern gravel and paved roads managed

by the State, County, national forest, private

timber companies and Redwood National

and State parks (A History of Transportation on

the Yurok Indian Reservation, Humboldt and Del

Norte Counties, California, Yurok Tribe, Winzler

& Kelly, Consulting Engineers, January 18,

2005).

History of Highway 101

Highway 101 is the largest highway in the

area, connecting the San Francisco Bay Area

with Crescent City and the coastal areas of

Oregon and Washington. Locally, Highway

101 is the principal highway connecting

the population centers of Eureka, Arcata,

McKinleyville, and Trinidad. Construction

of the first portion of US Highway 101

(Redwood Highway), consisted of 363 miles

between the Golden Gate Bridge to Crescent

City authorized by the first State Highway

December, 2011

Bond Act approved by voters in 1910 (Winzler

& Kelly, Consulting Engineers, January 18,

2005).

The current alignment of State Highway

101 (Redwood Highway) was constructed

in 1962. At the time, the Bureau of Indian

Affairs gave up right-of–way for the new

Highway 101, but did not negotiate for direct

access on behalf of the Rancheria (Honoring

the Past…Looking Toward the Future, Trinidad

Rancheria Highway 101 Interchange Community

Design Fair, Local Government Commission,

June 2009).

Beginning in 2001, a series of alternative

access feasibility studies addressed the need

for improved access to the Rancheria. The

initial study recommended a new diamond

interchange as the alternative that provides

the most significant regional transportation

benefits by reducing traffic on Scenic Drive,

providing multiple accesses to the Rancheria

and increased capacity (Trinidad Rancheria

Access Improvement Feasibility Study Final

Report, Winzler & Kelly, Consulting Engineers,

May 2002).

Left: Highway 101 between

Westhaven and Trinidad, looking

north.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

Connections

Strong north to south connections are

provided by Highway 101, Scenic Drive

and Westhaven Drive. The highway has cut

the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community in

half and has become a barrier to east–west

connections for both motorized and nonmotorized forms of travel. There are no roads

or trails connecting the east side of Highway

101 with the west side between the existing

Highway 101 interchanges at Trinidad and

Westhaven.

Trinidad Rancheria Transportation Plan

(TRTP)

The Trinidad Rancheria Transportation Plan

(TRTP) includes the development of strategies

for the design, construction, operation, and

maintenance of transportation facilities for

moving people and goods both on and off the

three land areas that make up the Rancheria.

This transportation planning process is

continuing and comprehensive to the degree

appropriate and is based on the complexity

of the transportation problems facing the

Tribe (Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of

the Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Transportation

Plan 2006-2026, Winzler & Kelly, Consulting

Engineers, March 15, 2006).

The TRTP is linked to land use, cultural

preservation, culture, social, economic,

environmental and quality of life goals

of the Trinidad Rancheria.

The TRTP

examines current transportation operations

and identifies future transportation needs

(both physical and financial). The Tribe’s

Transportation planning process has resulted

in the development of workable strategies to

achieve optimum transportation investment

over both the short-range (5-10 years) and

long-range (20 years or more) planning

horizons (Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community

December, 2011

of the Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Transportation

Plan 2006-2026, Winzler & Kelly, Consulting

Engineers, March 15, 2006).

Transportation planning presents a unique

challenge to the Tribe due to the jurisdictional

status of roads on and near the Rancheria.

Trinidad Rancheria circulation components

include multiple jurisdictions including

Tribal roads, Bureau of Indian Affairs roads

and bridges, Humboldt County roads

and bridges, City of Trinidad roads, State

highways and bridges, and the Trinidad

Pier and Harbor (Cher-Ae Heights Indian

Community of the Trinidad Rancheria Tribal

Transportation Plan 2006-2026, Winzler &

Kelly, Consulting Engineers, March 15, 2006).

The goals presented in the TRTP are intended

to guide the development of an efficient,

coordinated Rancheria transportation system

and to improve the mobility of Trinidad

Rancheria residents and goods. The Tribe has

developed goals for each of the following five

regional transportation issues:

• Roadways (State Highways, Federal

Agency Roads, County Roads and

Rancheria Roads)

• Public Transit

• Goods Movement (Trinidad Pier and

Harbor)

• Recreational Travel

• Tourism and gaming-related circulation

The TRTP was developed using the format

of the Humboldt County Association of

Governments (HCAOG) 2004 Regional

Transportation Plan Update for the purposes

of consistency between the plans. Also, as

transportation planning on the Trinidad

Rancheria is affected by and is similar to the

planning efforts conducted for Humboldt

County, some policies are modified versions

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

of those found in the Humboldt County 2004

Regional Transportation Plan Update (CherAe Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad

Rancheria Tribal Transportation Plan 20062026, Winzler & Kelly, Consulting Engineers,

March 15, 2006).

The Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Council and

individual Tribal members have identified

the following general issues related to

transportation:

• A need for improved pedestrian/bicycle

transportation infrastructure on the

Rancheria.

• A need for right-of-way appraisals

and acquisitions to enhance Tribal selfdetermination, cultural integrity, and

economic security.

• A need to develop the U.S. Highway 101

Interchange.

• A need to increase housing, which will

have direct impacts on the transportation

system and will also affect the demands

for transportation system improvements.

• The need for expanded economic

development and increased

employment opportunities.

• Low quality road system (the current

transportation infrastructure is grossly

substandard due to a historic lack of

sufficient road-system development

funds).

• The need to repair or rehabilitate the

Trinidad Pier.

Indian Reservation Roads Program (IRR)

The Indian Reservation Roads Program

(IRR) is one of the funding categories

under the Federal Land Highway Program.

Indian Reservation Roads are public roads

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

December, 2011

that provide access to and within Indian

reservations, Indian trust land, restricted

Indian land, and Alaska native villages. In

states where tribes do not have reservations,

public roads that serve Indian communities

or are primarily used by tribal members,

may be designated as IRR’s. The Bureau

of Indian Affairs and the Federal Highway

Administration through an interagency

agreement jointly administer the Federal

Land Highway Program’s IRR program

(Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the

Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Transportation Plan

2006–2026, Winzler & Kelly Consulting

Engineers, March 15, 2006).

Highway 101 Interchange

Currently, the only automotive access to the

Rancheria Main Parcel is by way of Scenic

Drive, a two-lane, three-mile-long road that

parallels U.S. Highway 101 along the west

side from the City of Trinidad to the north

and Moonstone and Westhaven communities

to the south. Scenic Drive was constructed

in the early 1920s on the face of a steep

bluff adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, and has

experienced extensive damage associated

with slope instability and bluff erosion at

several locations. Scenic Drive is subject to

regular road closures because of its inherent

instability (Honoring the Past… Looking

Toward the Future, Trinidad Rancheria Highway

101 Interchange Community Design Fair, Local

Government Commission, June 2009).

To address this deficiency, the Trinidad

Rancheria held the Highway 101 Interchange

Design Fair May 17-21, 2009. This event was

funded by the Humboldt County Association

of Governments. Tribal members, community

members, and other stakeholders were

invited to come together and share their

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

Right: Map of Highway 101

access to Rancheria properties.

December, 2011

Trinidad Pier

& Harbor Parcel

Trinidad Rancheria Main Parcel

and Westhaven Parcel

State Highway 101

Archer Road Parcel,

McKinleyville

vision for improving access to the Trinidad

Rancheria. The four-day Design Fair focused

on creating a community vision for a livable

and walkable community, the incorporation

of cultural values, and it highlighted the

proposal for a new Highway 101 Interchange

to the Rancheria. The overall theme of the

Design Fair was:

Highway 101 to the core landholding of the

Tribe, near the City of Trinidad, is pertinent

to all other future planning efforts.

Noo-kwo-mey (Yurok) “Gather together,

bring together”

• Option 3 - Interchange with On/Off

Ramps and access to the Rancheria only.

During the May 2009 Design Fair, four

conceptual

interchange

designs

were

developed. Constructing an interchange from

• Option 1 - Bicycle/pedestrian overpass

• Option 2 - Overpass from Rancheria

West to Westhaven Drive without on/off

ramps

• Option 4 - Interchange with On/Off

Ramps and a bridge that connects the

Rancheria to Westhaven Drive.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

December, 2011

Top: Following the May 2009 Highway 101 Interchange Design Fair, the Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Council chose

Option 3 as the preferred option: Interchange with on/off ramps and access to the Rancheria only. Bottom: Artist’s

rendition of Highway 101 Interchange and Overpass. Option 3 will provide access to the West side only.

Through this Design Fair, Trinidad Rancheria

identified a feasible location and preferred

option for the interchange. The Rancheria

is currently working with Caltrans to move

forward with the Highway 101 Interchange

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Project and will begin work on the Project

Scoping Report in late 2011. All proposed

facilities anticipated within the interchange

plan will be subject to the Caltrans

Intergovernmental Review (IGR) process.

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

December, 2011

Above: An artist’s sketch illustrates a fully developed roundabout to be located near the current intersection of CherAe Lane and Ter-Ker-Coo Lane that will direct traffic to and from the Highway 101 Interchange.

Roundabout

Traffic entering the Rancheria from the future

interchange will be collected by a roundabout

and directed the the appropriate destination

within the Rancheria. The roundabout will

be located near the current intersection of

Cher-Ae Lane, the main entrance road from

Scenic Drive, and Ter-Ker-Coo Lane and

will facilitate traffic movement in and out of

the Rancheria from the proposed Highway

101 overpass or interchange. From there,

vehicle traffic as well as pedestrians will be

able to access the existing casino/restaurant

as well as future development within the

Public Realm; or continue to the other roads

serving the existing Tribal Operations area

and residences as well as future development

within the Community Realm.

The roundabout will also function as

a gateway and “welcome” feature to the

Trinidad Rancheria.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

December, 2011

Proposed Projects

On April 22, 2004, the Tribal Council, acting

in its capacity as the Trinidad Business

Committee, in collaboration with the

Community Council designated three priority

transportation projects for consideration

within the five-year planning horizon. Based

on the results of the comprehensive road

inventory and the transportation priorities

of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community

of the Trinidad Rancheria, the three priority

projects include:

1. Improvements to Scenic Drive, the

Tribe’s only current access, to avoid

road failure and loss of access to the

Trinidad Rancheria, Tribal government

and economic enterprise.

2. Development of direct access to U.S.

Highway 101 to resolve safety and

reliability problems of Scenic Drive

access, which will continue irrespective

of Priority 1.

3. Improvements to Archer Road at the

McKinleyville Tract.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

December, 2011

Transportation Goals and Policies

The TRTP was completed in 2006 and is intended to be the operative guide

for transportation planning for a 20 year planning horizon to 2026. The goals

and policies presented in the TRTP are intended to guide the development of

an efficient, coordinated Rancheria transportation system and to improve the

mobility of Trinidad Rancheria residents and goods. Consult the TRTP for

specific goal and policy language.

The following goals and policies are intended to serve as the Transportation

Element of the Comprehensive Plan:

Goal 1.02.A — Participate in Regional Transportation Planning Process

Policy 1.02.A-1 — Continue to engage in the regional transportation

planning process via Humboldt County Transportation Plan for the

purposes of consistency between the plans.

Policy 1.02.A-2 — Continue to coordinate transportation plans and

improvements with the City of Trinidad, Humboldt County, and California

Department of Transportation.

Goal 1.02.B — TRTP Goals, Policies and Objectives for Period of 2006-2026

Policy 1.02.B-1 — Consult the TRTP on matters pertaining to transportation

improvements necessary to support land use, housing, Pier & Harbor

redevelopment, and economic development projects.

Goal 1.02.C — Implement Priority Projects

Policy 1.02.C-1 — Focus on implementing priority projects within a five-ten

year planning horizon including: 1) improvements and maintenance of the

Scenic Drive access road; 2) direct access to and from Highway 101 via an

interchange: and, 3) improvements and maintenance of Archer Road.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

December, 2011

Goal 1.02.D — Reduce Environmental Impacts of Transportation System

Policy 1.02.D-1 — Promote methods and practices available to reduce

environmental impacts of transportation within and without Rancheria

lands including:

• Goods Movement

• Recreational Travel

• Bikeways and Pedestrian Facilities

• Public Transportation

• Energy Conservation

• Water Quality

• Air Quality

Goal 1.02.E — Promote Safety and Emergency Access and Evacuation

Policy 1.02.D-1 — Ensure that all modes of transportation operate in a safe

and efficient manner.

Policy 1.02.D-2 — Ensure that quick and efficient emergency access is

available to all occupied areas.

Policy 1.02.D-3 — Ensure that evacuation plans and routes are well defined,

coordinated and publicized to the community at large.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.02:Transportation

December, 2011

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Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.03: Housing

December, 2011

Chapter 1.03: Housing

Relationship to Other Elements

The Housing Element is most directly related

to the Land Use Element where housing

location and design issues are addressed and

the Transportation Element which includes

policies related to access issues. This element

is consistent with and balances the goals

and objectives of the other elements of the

Comprehensive Plan.

Above: This structure is a replica of a traditional

dwelling constructed at Sumeg Village at Patrick’s Point

State Park.

Purpose

This Housing Plan is a statement of the

Trinidad

Rancheria’s

commitment

maintaining, preserving, improving, and

developing housing opportunities for

all segments of the community. The Plan

contains the goals, policies, and objectives,

as well as implementing programs to achieve

a high quality, balanced housing stock that

accommodates the needs of existing and

future Rancheria residents.

Organization of Element

The

Housing

Element

incorporates

background information derived from

visioning exercises, focus group discussions

with Original Assignees and employees,

and includes goals and policies intended to

provide and maintain adequate housing for

all tribal members.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Introduction & Background

Traditional housing was built of split

redwood planks arranged vertically for

walls and flat for roofs lashed together with

deer hide ropes. The “living area” was dug

into the ground like a basement with the

structure surrounding it where people slept,

ate, told stories, and dried acorns, meat and

fish around the fire. A hearth typically was

located in the center of the structure and

smoke escaped through holes in the roof.

Many of these dwellings were permanent

shelters, while others were temporary or

seasonal.

Adequate housing is one of the most

important issues for the Trinidad Rancheria.

Currently, 20 homes exist on the main parcel

(7 of which are located west of Scenic Drive),

9 homes are located in the Westhaven parcel

(9 acres), and 12 homes have been built in the

McKinleyville parcel (27.5 acres) for a total of

41 homes. An estimated 2–4 homes will need

to be removed and the residents relocated

to accommodate the proposed interchange

with Highway 101. Future development of

Tribal enterprises on the main parcel may

Chapter 1.03: Housing

December, 2011

Above Left & Right: Typical single-family dwellings with large lots.

result in additional relocation and housing

replacement.

During a Trinidad Rancheria Employee Focus

Group held November 2, 2010, the following

comments were gathered:

• All the houses are “on your own” for

maintenance.

• There is some grant money for specific

maintenance programs.

• Tribal government pays for garbage and

fire insurance.

• Preventative maintenance of septic

pumping becomes a financial

consideration.

• [Tribal government should] set up a

pumping and inspection plan for septic

systems.

• Housing policy is needed to address

assignment turnover. The council

currently holds the power. Inheritance

issue needs to be addressed. There is a

lot of uncertainty.

During a focus group discussion with the

Original Assignees, a number of comments

pertained to the need for housing (Original

Assignees Focus Group Notes, Tuesday,

November 2, 2010):

• Family housing. Would like to see

family on the same lot. Multiple homes

on one lot. People like to have their

family next to them. The “family village”

[concept]. Integrated elder care and

childcare.

• Housing assignments should pass on to

next of kin.

• Need a concrete policy on housing

assignment inheritance. Check out

housing assignment ordinance.

• There could still be some housing on the

main parcel.

• 15 units of transitional housing [could be

built] (income dependent to determine

no cost or low cost). With ICDBG

funding, it is possible to build 2-3

units per year and move people out of

transitional housing by year 5.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.03: Housing

Land acquisition for housing was among

the top issues according to the Original

Assignees focus group discussion. Sentiments

were expressed that living is cheaper in

McKinleyville and land is available for

additional housing along Archer Road.

(Original Assignees Focus Group Notes, Tuesday,

November 2, 2010). Similarly, a focus group

discussion with Rancheria employees

concluded that it was important to maintain

housing on the main parcel. Land acquisition

becomes an important issue to accommodate

all these things, and a continuous land

base (Employee Focus Group Notes, Tuesday,

November 2, 2010).

The Rancheria has a housing program

complete with a housing program manager

and a housing committee.

Housing

construction is typically funded by the

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban

Development (HUD). Typically, HUD

December, 2011

requires foundation design by a licensed

engineer and inspects construction to

ensure compliance with Uniform Building

Code (UBC) for Seismic Zone 4. Land or

lots for new housing for individuals or

family members are made available by the

Tribal Council through a process called

“assignments.” The land remains in tribal

trust but is occupied by the “assignees.”

Currently, none of the existing single-family

residences are served by municipal sanitary

sewer and have on-site sewage disposal

systems in the form of septic tanks and leach

fields. The land area required for a functional

leach field results in the development of

relatively large lot, low density housing.

Accordingly, most people enjoy the large-lot,

single-family residential type of housing as

it provides privacy, as well as room to store

firewood, fishing boats, and other personal

property. Suggestions were received that the

Below: This plan clusters housing on smaller lots around a common open space with room for a community center

and common leach field.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.03: Housing

December, 2011

Rancheria consider higher density housing

(e.g., more compact single family detached

units, duplexes, townhouses) that could

accommodate a greater number of people

than the single-family residence on a large

lot. College students, tribal members in

transitional housing, and single persons could

benefit from more compact housing choices.

Above: Higher density housing can combine the virtues

of single-family dwellings with common open space

amenities.

It stands to reason that for everyone who

desires housing to have a large lot for a singlefamily residence (and room for on-site sewage

disposal) the Rancheria will need to purchase

a considerable amount of additional land.

With more compact development (smaller

lots and common leach field areas), housing

for more people could be accommodated

with less additional land.

The Westhaven parcel is nearing build-out

capacity, with only one residential building

site remaining. Additional land purchases

in this area could proffer additional housing

development.

During the November 2010 Design Fair,

the Design Team developed a concept of

slightly more compact housing that could

fit comfortably on existing available land

on Archer Road in McKinleyville. Many of

the existing homes have room to develop

secondary dwelling units. Secondary or

accessory dwellings are often referred to

as “mother-in-law” apartments or “granny

flats.” The idea works especially well for

older (or younger) members of the family

who are without children and need less living

space but benefit from living close to other

family members. This also fits well with

many Tribal members’ living styles that often

include multiple members of the same family

living together or in close proximity.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.03: Housing

December, 2011

Housing Goals and Policies

Goal 1.03.A — Develop Housing Opportunities for All Segments of The

Community

Policy 1.03.A-1 — Prepare an inventory of land with adequate and

appropriate densities and development standards to meet the Tribal

housing needs.

Policy 1.03.A-2 — Purchase available property for future affordable

housing.

Policy 1.03.A-3 — Establish a comprehensive policy that clarifies housing

assignments, including whether inheritance is by right or is discretionary.

Policy 1.03.A-4 — Establish a policy to relocate housing that will be

displaced by the interchange (i.e. relocate within Trinidad, no net loss on

Rancheria West parcel, etc.)

Policy 1.03.A-5 — Adopt a second unit ordinance that allows second units

(aka granny flats) to share a lot with an existing home, provided on-site

waste water disposal needs can be met.

Policy 1.03.A-6 — Identify appropriate sites for emergency shelters and

transitional housing facilities for the homeless or people in transitional

situations.

Policy 1.03.A-7 — Develop Design Plans & Development Standards for new

housing on Archer Road

Policy 1.03.A-8 — Provide a choice of housing types, including large-lot

single-family detached, compact single-family cottages, and attached units,

where feasible.

Goal 1.03.B — Promote Energy Efficiency

Policy 1.03.B-1 — Establish energy efficiency/green building standards in

existing and new housing development as a means of reducing housing

costs. (See State Energy Code for requirements relating to energy-efficient

construction techniques and building design).

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.03: Housing

December, 2011

Policy 1.03.B-2 — Develop programs that support individual homeowners

to make green retrofits including energy efficiency retrofits, rooftop

rainwater harvesting, installing solar panels, window replacement, etc.

Policy 1.03.B-3 — Work with the Redwood Coast Energy Authority, and

other organizations, to access county-wide energy efficiency and green

building programs.

Goal 1.03.C — Avoid Hazards, Nuisances, and Environmental Degradation

Policy 1.03.C–1 — In developing land for housing, respect natural

hazards and constraints (steep slopes, fault lines, etc.), avoid nuisance

level conditions, and employ Best Management Practices for storm water

management.

Policy 1.01.C-2 — For housing, avoid exotic plants in favor of native plants

for landscaping. Remove invasive exotic plants on a regular basis.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

December, 2011

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

Purpose

This Economic Development Element guides

decision makers including Tribal Council

members, Tribal community members, and

Rancheria staff in fulfilling the ultimate

potential for economic development within

the land areas under tribal ownership and

management.

Organization of Element

The Economic Development Element

addresses the Tribe’s economic assets, a

formal assessment of the most promising

economic

development

priorities,

opportunities for economic diversification,

and the corresponding goals and policies

necessary to implement an overall economic

development strategy.

Relationship to Other Elements

The Economic Development Element is most

directly related to the Land Use Element,

Cultural Element, and Transportation

Element. This element is consistent with and

balances the goals and objectives of the other

elements of the Comprehensive Plan.

main parcel as well as the Trinidad Harbor

and Pier, Seascape Restaurant and a vacation

rental located at the edge of Trinidad Bay.

The main parcel is held in federal trust

status while the pier, restaurant and vacation

rental are held in fee status subject to City of

Trinidad and State of California jurisdiction.

Economic development is of critical

importance to the Rancheria’s future,

and along with housing, drives the land

use decisions of the Tribal Council and

community (See discussion on Land Use in

Chapter 1.01 and Housing in Chapter 1.03).

During the Design Fair for the Highway 101

Interchange held from May 17–21, 2009, input

on land use was limited due to the focus

on a new Highway 101 Interchange to the

Trinidad Rancheria. A separate work session

with the Tribal Council was held on June 5,

2009 to further discuss the desired land uses

to be included in the future. Subsequently, a

follow-up Design Fair held from November

1-5, 2010 focused on the preparation of a

comprehensive plan, and re-visited land

use and economic development priorities

and confirmed the desire for the following

additional Tribal enterprises on the main

parcel:

• Hotel

• RV Park

• Mini-mart/Gas Station

Introduction & Background

Currently, the Cher-Ae Heights Indian

Community of the Trinidad Rancheria

(Trinidad Rancheria) owns and operates the

Cher-Ae Heights Casino and the adjoining

Sunset Restaurant located on the Rancheria’s

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

These land uses and economic assets are

seen as essential in complementing the

existing casino and restaurant operations

that have supported the Rancheria since their

beginning, and better enable the Rancheria to

compete in the regional gaming market.

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

December, 2011

Above Left: The Cher-Ae Heights Casino & Sunset Restaurant. Above Right: A hotel could provide for dramatic

views like those from the Sunset Restaurant.

Economic Development Assessment

In 2007, the Tribe contracted with Economics

Research Associates to provide an assessment

of development opportunities on tribal

coastal properties (Preliminary Assessment of

Development Opportunities on Tribal Coastal

Property, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California,

Economics Research Associates, August

2007). The results of this assessment study

are summarized below:

Cher-Ae Heights Casino and Sunset

Restaurant

The 2007 economic assessment study

concluded that the regional gaming market is

close to saturation. The aggregate revenues

of the five casinos serving the regional

market approximate theoretical demand

based on resident market area demographics.

According to this study, the Cher-Ae Heights

Casino currently captures 11 percent of

the Humboldt County gaming revenue,

well below its potential share based on

drawing power factors such as distance from

population and demographics.

Over the years, updated and expanded

facilities of competitors (Blue Lake Rancheria,

Rohnerville Ranheria) have placed the

Trinidad Rancheria at a competitive

disadvantage (Preliminary Assessment of

Development Opportunities on Tribal Coastal

Property, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California,

Economics Research Associates, August

2007).

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

Casino Hotel

The study suggested that increasing

competitiveness, mostly through facility

improvement, could generate about $11

million in gross gaming revenue from the

regional day trip market, an increase of about

33 percent over current levels. Additionally,

the opportunity exists to augment the market

through capturing overnight visitors with a

casino hotel.

Due to the differences in guest experience,

the overnight market does not merely shift

revenue away from the day trip market but

adds to the day trip market (Economics

Research Associates, August 2007).

The study further concluded that a 130-room

casino hotel positioned as a 3.5 star property

ranks highest among the uses and capital

projects evaluated and promises a strong

economic performance based on two factors:

1) the hotel would produce substantial

incremental gaming revenue; and 2) the

existing casino would somewhat reduce the

building requirements of the hotel as the

Sunset Restaurant already exists. The casino

hotel would incorporate about 50 rooms for

resort-oriented guests (Economics Research

Associates, August 2007).

December, 2011

The study also looked at a smaller “boutique”

hotel of 50-75 rooms, though the economics

of a traditional resort-hotel are marginal. The

economics could be improved by marketing

the hotel units as condominiums. Another

alternative involves broadening the casino

hotel concept to a position as a resort-casino

hotel, whereby the market for the boutique

hotel can at least be partially captured

(Economics Research Associates, August

2007).

Conference Center

Other facilities that the study determined to

be viable include a conference center serving

primarily smaller groups of fewer than

100 attendees that could be developed in

conjunction with overnight lodging facilities.

Potentially, the casino’s 800-seat bingo

hall/event center could be utilized and/or

modified in order to meet the needs of such

conferences (Economics Research Associates,

August 2007). At this time, there is not a lot

of specific community interest in a conference

facility alone, though ideas related to a

community or cultural center could certainly

incorporate abilities to hold conferences

relatively small in scale.

Artist: Joan Briggs, Architect, 2009

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Left: An artist’s sketch

illustrates a new hotel built on

top of the existing casino & bingo

hall with expansive westerly

views of the Pacific Ocean and

coastline.

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

RV Park

The economic study also examined the

feasibility of a high-quality recreational

vehicle (RV) resort and noted that a premium

RV park would feature approximately 15 sites

per acre (Economics Research Associates,

August 2007).

Retail Adjacent to Highway 101 Interchange

Construction of a new interchange on

Highway 101 would benefit the casino and

at the same time improve the marketability

of the Tribe’s land on the frontage areas of

the Highway. The study did not specifically

address the economic potential of a gas

station and mini-mart, but both of these uses

would benefit from their proximity to the new

interchange as well as the existing casino, and

restaurant and future Casino Hotel and RV

Park.

Tourism Development

Currently, the Trinidad Rancheria has no

formal tourism development strategy in

place. In 2000, the Rancheria purchased

the Trinidad Pier, Seascape Restaurant, and

the nearby vacation rental. These facilities

provide basic assets related to tourism,

especially boating access to Trinidad Harbor

and Bay, breathtaking ocean views, surfing,

hiking, and sea kayaking among other

outdoor activities.

This property includes the main entrance

and access point to the Trinidad Head,

which hosts walking trails, and cultural and

historical points of interest.

Trinidad Bay was designated as an Area of

Special Biological Significance (ASBS) in the

December, 2011

1970s in order to protect marine mammal life

through the prohibition of waste discharges

within this area. Recently, the area was

redesignated as a State Water Quality

Protection Area and encompasses 1.8 miles

and 297 acres of marine waters. Similarly, the

California Ocean Plan requires the protection

of the kelp beds, considered biologically

significant for both the food and shelter

provided to fish and invertebrates. Trinidad

Bay is also designated as a Critical Coastal

Area by the California Coastal Commission

(Request for Proposal: Trinidad Pier and Harbor

Planning Study, Cher-Ae Heights Indian

Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, 2008).

The Tribe is currently in the process of

designing and constructing a new pier facility,

because the existing facility has structural

deficiencies as well as toxic creosote on its

pilings which have been determined to be

a toxic pollutant in ocean waters. A new

wastewater treatment facility that serves a

new restroom facility and the restaurant has

been completed (Trinidad Pier and Harbor

Planning Study, 2008).

The Trinidad Harbor and Pier lands are

currently not held as federal trust lands

and are considered harbor fee lands for tax

and local and state government jurisdiction

purposes.

The

November

2010

Comprehensive

Plan Design Fair focused on economic

development opportunities of the Trinidad

Harbor and Pier. Many tribal members

engaged during the Design Fair process

saw ample opportunities to build on the

natural and cultural assets of the region.

The “gateway” location of the Rancheria to

the area’s scenic coastline, nearby Redwood

National & State Parks, and the publics’

interest in Native American culture provide

opportunities to diversify by becoming more

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

business oriented and less reliant on the

casino for revenue. Possible future visitor

serving enterprises include the following:

• Expanded gift shop at Pier

December, 2011

percent of revenues generated from the

casino and restaurant (including the new

hotel, RV park, and gas station) support

Tribal programs and cultural facilities.

• Possible future expansion of Seascape

Restaurant at Pier

• Support micro-enterprise development

through technical training and business

incubation.

• Visitor-oriented business incubator space

on main parcel

• Invest in and promote tribal tourism

development through:

• Focus on geotourism assets and

associated enterprises

• Preservation and development of

geo-tourism assets

• Branding of cultural resources

Economic Development Assessment —

Existing Pier & Harbor

The Economic Research Associates study

also addressed the economic potential of the

existing pier and harbor facilities. According to

the study, this existing facility is a productive

land use as well as serving as part of the

recreational visitor infrastructure for the area.

The study looked at the expansion of visitor

facilities, specifically the existing Seascape

Restaurant and specialty retail shops.

Embellishment and expansion of visitor

serving facilities such as the existing

Seascape Restaurant and gift shop would

benefit existing and newly developed uses.

However, the study found that such visitororiented improvements do not appear to

be essential and the direct economic return

related to such uses would be modest.

Investments in visitor-oriented improvements

represent a long-term opportunity and

a relatively low priority in the present

(Economics Research Associates, August

2007). During focus group discussions with

tribal members, polices directed at tourism

development were encouraged as follows:

• New Tribal business plans should

include a policy to ensure a minimum

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

• Packaging of Tribal and Regional

tours, activities, destinations

Prosperity! The North Coast Strategy

In 1999, the Humboldt County Board of

Supervisors adopted a Comprehensive

Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

to guide local economic development

investments (Prosperity! The North Coast

Strategy), including those from the U.S.

Economic

Development Administration

(Prosperity! The North Coast Strategy,

Humboldt County, 1999).

The Mission of Prosperity is:

Grow, diversify and strengthen our

economy while preserving and enhancing

our quality of life.

Using this strategy, the responsibility for job

creation remains in the private sector. Publicprivate partnerships are formed to focus

resources on specific cluster needs such as:

• The development of networks

• Specialized infrastructure

• Training programs

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

The Prosperity strategy is based upon the

development of nine industry “clusters”

(defined as groups of interconnected

businesses that rely on relationships

among themselves for efficiencies and

competitiveness). Two of these clusters are

relevant to economic development of the

Trinidad Rancheria: 1) arts and culture, and

2) tourism. The strategy outlined for tourism

is summarized as follows:

HUMBOLDT COUNTY’S TOURISM

ASSETS:

Natural Beauty • Native Cultures •

Local Architecture • Cultural Events •

Internet Market

STEP 1: IMPROVE HUMBOLDT COUNTY

TOURISM PRODUCTS

December, 2011

• Penetrate and Saturate Humboldt’s CarDriver Market

STEP 3: HELP IMPROVE THE TOURISM

INFRASTRUCTURE

• Support Efforts to Improve Road

Transportation

• Supports Efforts to Improve Air

Transportation

• Support Efforts to Maintain Natural

Resources

• Revenue Should Promote

Conservation—and extends it to culture

and history as well—all distinctive assets

of a place.

• Support Efforts to Increase the County’s

Internet Bandwidth

• Repackage Existing Tourism Assets

• Support Efforts to Improve Cruise Ship

Facilities

• Encourage Development of Major

Tourism Attractions

STEP 4: ENHANCE TOURISM BUSINESS

AND WORKFORCE

• Develop New Tourism Products with

Industry Cluster

• Improve the Humboldt County Visitor

Experience

STEP 2: EXPAND MARKETING OF

HUMBOLDT COUNTY TOURISM

• Increase Investment in Tourism

Marketing

• Leverage Spending with Cooperative

and Regional Marketing

• Improve Marketing Communications

with In-County Visitors

• Develop Relationship Marketing

Program

• Develop Wholesale Travel Distribution

• Encourage Entrepreneurship

• Improve the Tourism Business Climate

• Provide Hospitality and Customer

Service Training

• Stabilize the Tourism Workforce

Geotourism

According to National Geographic’s Center

for Sustainable Destinations (NGCSD),

Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or

enhances the geographical character of a place—its

environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the

well-being of its residents.

Geotourism incorporates the concept of

sustainable tourism—that destinations should

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

remain unspoiled for future generations—while

allowing for ways to protect a place’s character.

Geotourism also takes a principle from its

ecotourism cousin—that tourism revenue should

promote conservation—and extends it to culture

and history as well.

National Geographic Travelers Magazine

identifies 55 million Americans as geotourists

(concerned with sustainability) with 100

million leaning in that direction. Of the 1.36

million people who traveled internationally

(at least 3 times in the last 3 years), 74%

qualify as geotourists who enjoy aspects of

a place that make it distinctive, unique; they

are more likely to take measures to protect

the environment while they travel.

NGCSD traveler surveys have found:

• 70% of travelers believe people must

live in harmony with nature in order to

survive

• 40% would do more for the environment

if they knew specific actions to take

• 27.7 million travelers (18%) would pay

a premium to visit sites that control the

number of people entering.

Many tribes across the United States are

recognizing that the public’s view of many

local Native American tribes is limited to

having knowledge of, or actually having

visited their casino. For example, after a

decade of operating its casino, the Eastern

Band of Cherokee realized that this gift came

at a price: when “Cherokee” was referenced,

many would reply, “Oh, you mean Harrah’s

(a casino)?”

The rich heritage and culture for which so

much has been sacrificed was being lost and

not just to the outside world. Cherokee was

losing its history, traditions and cultural

compass within the Tribe, especially among

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

December, 2011

the younger generations (The Story Behind

the Successful Cherokee Branding Campaign,

undated report).

The Cherokee Tribal government, realizing

tourism could become self-sustaining by

creating revenue and opportunity, established

a fairly competitive travel and promotions

budget and made tourism as important as

other critical budget line items. The travel

and tourism budget was supplemented

by funds from the Cherokee Preservation

Foundation, an entity that receives an annual

percentage of profits from the casino to invest

in preserving the Cherokee culture.

According to a report titled “Tribal Tourism

Development: How to Capture Tourists”

prepared by the Goss Agency, the solution (to

capturing tourists) involves four major steps:

Step 1. Brand Development

1. Identify and prioritize the cultural

gems; the traditions and history; the

things that make your tribe, your Tribe.

2. Identify primary and niche target

markets both demographically and

psychographically

3. Identify where to reach and find the

target audience(s)

4. Communicate the message in a manner

that identifies with the target audience

personally (makes them laugh, smile,

think)

Step 2. Develop Visitor War Chest

1. Identify and prioritize the current

visitor brand tourism experiences and

features

2. Conceptualize new visitor experiences

that fit your Tribe’s promise.

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

December, 2011

Conclusion

In pursuing a geotourism strategy, it is

critically important that the geotourism assets

upon which the strategy is based be protected

from degradation. The NGCSD has found 3

key challenges common to most destinations:

• Overuse leading to abuse of certain

areas—development that leads to

overcrowding

Above: Stick Dancers.

• Franchise Development that

compromises differentiation &

diminishes uniqueness of place

Step 3. Strategic Marketing Plan

• Profits leave community

Conceptualize and prioritize ideas

and tactics to most cost effectively get

your brand message to your target

in the disciplines of public relations,

media strategy, internet/social media

marketing, promotions, and guerilla

marketing tactics.

Step 4. Tourism Department Structuring &

Event Management

1. Structure and Staff Tourism Department

2. Tourism Budget

The NGCSD prescribed formula for creating

geotourism:

Identify, develop, sustain, & promote

geotourism assets

The geotourism test:

Are we sustaining or enhancing

the unique quality of our place? It

is essential to Protect the tourism

product… The place!

3. Event Planning/Execution/Promotions

Candidate Gems for Cher-Ae Heights Indian

Community*

• Housing Replica

• Basketry

• Boat Making

• Stories

• Salmon BBQ

• Jewelry

• Regalia

• Dances

* list courtesy of Lisa Maulson

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

December, 2011

Goals and Policies

Goal 1.04.A — Increase Competitiveness of Existing Cher-Ae Heights Casino

and Sunset Restaurant

Policy 1.04.A-1 — Promote development that strengthens and enhances the

competitive advantage of the casino and restaurant operations specifically

a hotel, RV Park, gas station and mini-mart.

Goal 1.04.B — Adopt an Economic Development Strategy That Reinforces

Sovereignty, Self-Sufficiency, and Sustainability

Policy 1.04.B-1 — Promote economic diversification by simultaneously

expanding gaming-related enterprises and implementing a tourism

development strategy.

Policy 1.04.B-2 — Allocate a percentage of gaming revenues along with

revenues from restaurant, hotel, and RV park toward tourism development

highlighting cultural aspects of Native peoples as well as Tribal programs

and cultural facilities.

Policy 1.04.B-3 — Invest in and promote tribal tourism development through:

• Preservation and development of geo-tourism assets

• Branding of cultural resources

• Packaging of Tribal and Regional tours, activities, destinations

Policy 1.04.B-4 — Support micro-enterprise development through technical

training and business incubation.

Policy 1.04.B-5 — Support the creation of new office space that is welldesigned and offers amenities and telecommunications infrastructure

attractive to new economy business enterprises.

Policy 1.04.B-6 — Encourage and support office and professional homebased micro-enterprises.

Policy 1.04.B-7 — Support the expansion of local higher education and

continuing education institutions to meet workforce training needs of new

economy businesses.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.04: Economic Development

December, 2011

Goal 1.04.C — Ensure Protection and Restoration of Natural Resources on

Tribal Land

Policy 1.04.C-1 — Develop a set of principles to promote sustainable

tourism and enlightened destination stewardship on Tribal land and other

areas critical to maintaining environmental quality, sense of place, and the

geographical assets necessary to support tourism development.

Policy 1.04.C-2 — Develop mechanisms to protect natural and cultural

resources utilizing sustainable practices in the area of housing, tribal

operations facilities, tribal enterprises, watershed conservation,

conservation of forest and coastal resources, and energy efficiency.

Goal 1.04.D — Promote and Enhance Trinidad’s Role as a Sustainable YearRound Tourist Destination

Policy 1.04.D-1 — Develop partnerships with the City of Trinidad, County

of Humboldt, and other area Tribes and Rancherias in promoting the region

as a tourism destination.

Policy 1.04.D-2 — Develop a unified map and listing of tourism services

with the City of Trinidad, Rancheria, and Greater Trinidad Area.

Policy 1.04.D-3 — Continue to support area-wide events and festivals, such

as the annual Trinidad Clam Beach Run, among others.

Goal 1.04.E — Promote Opportunities for Education and Training

Policy 1.04.E-1 — Collaborate with key stakeholders such as Humboldt

State University and College of the Redwoods to develop educational and

training programs creating future employment opportunities for the schoolaged and young adult population.

Policy 1.04.E-2 — Establish a business incubator program to provide

support services and financial support to start-up new businesses. As

part of this program, pursue State and Federal funding for small-business

loans, and grants for publicly-owned infrastructure and micro-enterprise

assistance.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

December, 2011

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

Purpose

Introduction & Background

The purpose of the Cultural Resources

Element is to identify policies to protect the

Tribe’s cultural heritage, including language

and traditional ceremonies, archaeological

sites, artifacts, cultural landscapes, such as

traditional gathering areas and ceremonial

sites, and spiritual places both on lands

owned by the Trinidad Rancheria and

other lands within the traditional ancestral

territory.

The Trinidad Rancheria is located within

the ancestral territory of the Yurok people

(O’ohl). Though there are ties to several other

tribal groups in the region, the membership

is primarily Yurok. Tribal members descend

from several villages along the Klamath River

as well as the coastal villages from present day

Stone Lagoon (Cha-pek) south to the village

of Chue-rey (Tsurai), at present day Trinidad

(Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the

Trinidad Rancheria, The People, The Land,

and The Water, Marine Life Protection Act

Initiative Profile, April 2010).

Organization of Element

The Cultural Resources Element summarizes

the history of the Tribe and addresses matters

pertaining to traditional gathering areas and

resources, spiritual and ceremonial areas

and resources, the role of the Marine Life

Protection Act Initiative in maintaining access

to these areas and goals and policies designed

to maintain, enhance, and promote the Tribe’s

cultural heritage.

Relationship to Other Elements

The Cultural Resources Element is intended

to represent cultural issues in other

Comprehensive Plan elements including the

Land Use, Economic Development, Housing

and Transportation Elements. This element

is consistent with and balances the goals

and objectives of the other elements of the

Comprehensive Plan.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

The ancestral territory of the Yurok people

is comprised of a narrow strip along the

Pacific Ocean stretching north from the

village on the Little River (me’tsko or

sreport) in Humboldt County to the mouth

of Damnation Creek in Del Norte County.

Within the ancestral territory there are

approximately 74 known villages, which are

situated along the banks of the Klamath or

along the ocean streams and lagoons. Many

of these villages were permanent settlements,

particularly the villages where ceremonial

dances were held, while others were only

temporarily inhabited. Each village had its

own geographical boundaries, as well as

its own leaders who governed various sites

and activities within the village. These sites

include fishing and hunting spots, permanent

home sites, seasonal sites, gathering areas,

training grounds, and spiritual power sites

(A History of Transportation on the Yurok Indian

Reservation, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties,

California, Yurok Tribe, Winzler & Kelly,

Consulting Engineers, January 18, 2005).

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

Between first land contact with EuroAmericans in 1849 and the California Gold

Rush the tribal population of Chue-rey Village

(one of the largest pre-contact Yurok villages

in the region) was decimated—by 1916,

only a single Chue-rey resident remained

(Trinidad Rancheria, Marine Life Protection

Act Initiative Profile, April 2010).

In recovering from near annihilation a century

ago, the continuation and preservation of the

native culture, languages, and traditional life

ways have been a very high priority among

members of the Trinidad Rancheria (Trinidad

Rancheria, Marine Life Protection Act Initiative

Profile, April 2010).

Cultural Resources Investigation

Pursuant to an agreement with National

Parks Service in the assumption of Historic

Preservation responsibilities the Trinidad

Rancheria’s Tribal Historic Preservation

Office contracted with Humboldt State

University Cultural Resources Facility to

conduct a Rancheria-wide Cultural Resources

Survey and Inventory. The purpose of the

survey and inventory is to identify cultural

resources occurring within the Rancheria’s

boundaries and to utilize that data to create

and maintain a database of historic and

culturally significant properties as set forth in

Section 101(b)(3)(A) of the National Historic

Preservation Act. Fieldwork began in Spring

of 2011 and has concluded. A final report is

due to the Rancheria by September 30, 2011.

Gathering Areas

Critical to the social and spiritual recovery

of tribal members is the ability to access

traditional food staples from the ancestral

coastline. Subsistence fishing and seaweed

December, 2011

gathering continue to be essential to both

physical and cultural survival

(Trinidad

Rancheria, Marine Life Protection Act Initiative

Profile, April 2010).

Yurok ancestral territory encompasses

approximately 320,000 acres of the North

Coast extending north from the village on the

Little River (Me’tsko or S’re-por) in Humboldt

County to the mouth of Damnation Creek

in Del Norte County, and inland along the

Klamath River from the mouth of the river

at Requa (Re’kwoi) to the confluence of

Slate Creek and the Klamath River. Though

native people have been confined to a small

portion of this territory, whether as members

of the Trinidad, Big Lagoon or Resighini

Rancherias or of the Yurok Tribe, the people

have continued to practice their traditional

life ways (Trinidad Rancheria, Marine Life

Protection Act Initiative Profile, April 2010).

Traditionally, ancestral people subsisted on

the abundant plants of the redwood forests

(e.g., acorns, mushrooms, and wild herbs

and teas), large game animals (e.g., deer and

elk) and—as the most readily available and

healthful sources of protein—salmon, rock

fish (e.g., cod and snapper), surf- fish (smelt),

shell fish (e.g., clams, crab, and mussels), and

seaweed, all caught or gathered along the

ancestral coastline (Trinidad Rancheria, Marine

Life Protection Act Initiative Profile, April 2010).

Trinidad Rancheria tribal members depend

upon the rich diversity of marine and coastal

plant resources found within Rancheria lands,

as well as throughout ancestral territory, as

part of their daily lives. The Rancheria’s lands

support many types of culturally significant

plants such as red alder (Alnus rubra), Douglas

Fir (Psuedotsuga meziesii), Blue Blossom or

Soap Plant (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus), Bracken

Fern (Pteridium aquilinum), Sword Fern

(Polysticum munitum) and Sitka Spruce

(Picea sitchensis), and various other roots and

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

herbs. Tribal members regularly gather these

plant materials for medicinal and cultural

uses (Trinidad Rancheria, Marine Life Protection

Act Initiative Profile, April 2010).

Important marine resources include salmon,

clams and abalone (as both food sources and

for the shells, which are used in ceremonial

regalia), mussels, seaweed, eels, crab, surf

fish, candle fish and sea salt. Rancheria

Tribal Elders relate memories of subsistence

gathering and prayer activities all along the

coast line from the Luffenholtz Beach area to

the Trinidad Harbor and beyond. Subsistence

fishing for crab, salmon, surf fish (smelt),

mussels and clams occurred regularly from

Source: Cher-Ae Heights Indian

Community of the Trinidad Rancheria,

The People, The Land, and The Water,

Marine Life Protetion Act Initiative

Profile, April 2010.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

December, 2011

the rocky beaches within the Rancheria’s

borders. Families would set up fish camps

during the dry months and would harvest

and dry these important resources. Non-plant

or animal materials with cultural significance

found on Rancheria lands in the coastal zone

include steatite and chert (Verwayen, 2007)

which are used to make items such as bowls

and arrow points respectively

(Trinidad

Rancheria, Marine Life Protection Act Initiative

Profile, April 2010).

Today, Tribal members regularly gather these

plant materials for medicinal and cultural

uses (Trinidad Rancheria, Marine Life Protection

Act Initiative Profile, April 2010).

Left: Tribal participation in

the MLPA process emphasized

the need to maintain access to

traditional gathering sites.

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

Spiritual/Ceremonial “Resources”

Throughout the ancestral territory, Yurok

people continually utilize the sacred places

to pray and hold ceremonies. Integral to

the Coastal Yurok physical and spiritual

landscape are the rocks that occur just off

shore. These rocks, as with nearly every

physical feature within the Yurok world, have

names and carry a metaphysical or spiritual

significance. The Trinidad Head (Chue-rey-wa

or Tsurewa), for instance, figures prominently

in tribal histories regarding ceremonial

practices (Trinidad Rancheria, Marine Life

Protection Act Initiative Profile, April 2010).

Though many important ceremonial and

spiritual activities were limited by the United

States Government, the Yurok people did not

stop or forget the ways of their ancestors.

Over the last 30 years, Yurok people have

worked tirelessly to revitalize the ceremonial

dances. Trinidad Rancheria tribal members

actively participate in numerous ceremonies

throughout the ancestral territory (Trinidad

Rancheria, Marine Life Protection Act Initiative

Profile, April 2010).

Recently, a Flower Dance (coming of age

ceremony) was held on the coast, at Sumeg

Village in Patrick’s Point State Park. It was

December, 2011

the first such ceremony to occur on the coast

in 120 years. A major component of this

ceremony is the ritual bathing that the girl

must complete every morning, and naturally,

given that this was a coastal ceremony, these

bathing places occurred at intervals along the

ocean and in streams along the coastal bluffs.

Thus the ocean itself (pishka’l) is an important

cultural resource from a spiritual point of

view (Trinidad Rancheria, Marine Life Protection

Act Initiative Profile, April 2010).

Every object or feature within the cultural

landscape has importance in the continuity of

the Tribe’s traditional way of life—from the

sharp rock in the water known as kwee-gerep to the remnants of former village homes.

This land and the beings that inhabit it, that

are now referred to as cultural resources, are

an integral part of who Tribal members are

as a people. Without them, they do not exist

(Trinidad Rancheria, Marine Life Protection Act

Initiative Profile, April 2010).

There is a phrase in the Yurok language—noohl

hee-kon—which translates to “the beginning

of time” and it is the measure by which the

people place themselves in the world. They

believe that their people were created in this

land, as were the resources that allowed the

people to flourish physically, culturally and

Below Left: Replica of traditional Dance Pit at Sumeg Village. Below Right: Replica of traditional sweat lodge for

men at Sumeg Village.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

December, 2011

Above Left: Young woman models traditional regalia. Above Right: Close-up of materials used in traditional regalia.

spiritually (Trinidad Rancheria, Marine Life

Protection Act Initiative Profile, April 2010).

During the opening presentation of the

November 2010 Design Fair, tribal members

were engaged in an exercise that asked

them to express their vision for the future

of the Rancheria. Visions related to cultural

resources are summarized below:

The Employee focus group discussion during

the Design Fair raised a number of issues

related to cultural resources including the

following.

• Build a Tribal Museum/Cultural

Interpretive center. Build a replica

village for educational purposes and

tribal cultural use. Build it on main

parcel.

• For all members to be more involved in

the ceremonies and our culture. To be

united and stand together forever.

• Establish protection of native rights to

gather at subsistence level.

• Develop a museum and visitors center.

Similarly, the Original Assignees focus group

discussion included a number of comments

regarding cultural resources:

• For a promising future for our people.

Where we are proud of who we are and

where we come from.

• Would like to see the sea easily, and to

get to it for gathering fish, seaweeds and

mussels.

• My dream for my tribe is unity—a

dream we’ve all had for a long time.

Hopefully it will happen keeping

the original assignees land for our

children’s future home.

• Create a community center, youth center,

museum, trail to the ocean.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

• Joy and Juanita would be great for

storytelling, people would come from all

around to hear the stories. Baskets could

be stored.

• Provide education for tribal members as

well as visitors.

• There is a strong link to gathering of

seafood and fish on the entire north coast.

• Need a kids/recreation center with

a place for classes, beading, sewing,

sculpting, dressmaking, and regalia

making.

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

Marine Life Protection Act

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)

of 1999 directs the state to reevaluate and

redesign California’s system of marine

protected areas (MPAs) to: increase coherence

and effectiveness in protecting the state’s

marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems,

and marine natural heritage, as well as to

improve recreational, educational and study

opportunities provided by marine ecosystems

subject to minimal human disturbance (

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa). There are six

goals that guide the development of MPAs in

the MLPA planning process:

1. Protect the natural diversity and

abundance of marine life, and the

structure, function and integrity of

marine ecosystems.

2. Help sustain, conserve and protect

marine life populations, including those

of economic value, and rebuild those

that are depleted.

3. Improve recreational, educational and

study opportunities provided by marine

ecosystems that are subject to minimal

human disturbance, and to manage

these uses in a manner consistent with

protecting biodiversity.

4. Protect marine natural heritage,

including protection of representative

and unique marine life habitats in

California waters for their intrinsic

values.

5. Ensure California’s MPAs have

clearly defined objectives, effective

management measures and adequate

enforcement and are based on sound

scientific guidelines.

6. Ensure the State’s MPAs are designed

and managed, to the extent possible, as

a network.

December, 2011

California is taking a regional approach

to redesigning MPAs along its 1,100 mile

coastline, and has divided the state into five

study regions. The North Coast Study Region

(California/Oregon border to Alder Creek

near Point Arena in Mendocino County) is

the fourth Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)

study region to undergo the regional marine

protected area (MPA) planning and re-design

process. This regional process started June

2009 with a series of introductory workshops

and open houses.

The MLPA also requires that the best readily

available science be used in the redesign

process, as well as the advice and assistance

of scientists, resource managers, experts,

stakeholders and members of the public.

Since July 2009, the Trinidad Rancheria (as a

stakeholder) has been collaborating with the

Trinidad Fisherman in an effort to participate

in the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA )

Initiative and to bring a positive contribution

to not only the Trinidad Community, but the

entire North Coast Region (Trinidad Rancheria,

Marine Life Protection Act Initiative Profile,

April 2010).

The group became known as “The Trinidad

Traditional Fisheries Coalition” and is

comprised of the Trinidad Rancheria

Tribal Council and Staff, and the Trinidad

Fisherman. The group has been meeting

weekly since July 2009 and has made

substantial progress in understanding and

participating in the MLPA planning process

(Trinidad Rancheria, Marine Life Protection Act

Initiative Profile, April 2010).

Tribal participation in the MLPA process

emphasized the need to maintain access to

traditional gathering sites. Presently, Tribal

members face extensive fishing regulation in

state and federal waters and are not able to

fish in many locations due to closures.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

December, 2011

Above Left: Roof styles and siding material at the UIHS facility mimic traditional forms. Above Right: The main

doorway utilizes the circular form of the entrance to traditional dwellings.

Building Styles & Materials

Throughout the Design Fair, reference to

Tribal culture and history were a constant and

common denominator for many of the Tribes’

future plans and programs.

Traditional

building of dwellings, sweat houses, dance

pits, etc. were both a function of the climate

and available materials. Redwood slabs were

the basic material for sides and roofs. Peaked

roofs shed the winter rains. The structures

were usually placed over an excavated,

below-ground area allowing for a low, aboveground profile while utilizing the earth as a

means for cooling in summer and warming

in winter months. Structural limitations kept

these buildings low with a relatively small

footprint.

The United Indian Health Service (UIHS)

facility in Arcata illustrates how traditional

building styles and features can be integrated

into modern buildings designs.

Future

development of new facilities can incorporate

traditional features into architectural designs

as well as incorporating many such features

in site landscaping.

Below Left: Rain gardens collect runoff from roofs and paved areas. Below Right: Solar panels provide electricity

for lighting & heating.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

December, 2011

Cultural Resources Goals and Policies

Goal 1.05.A — Protect All Cultural Resources

Policy 1.05.A-1 — Cultural resources providing significant historic,

scientific, educational, social, and economic contributions to present and

future generations shall be identified during any project development

review, assessed as to significance, and if found to be significant, protected

from deterioration, loss, or destruction.

Policy 1.05.A-2 — Ensure that Tribal organizations, historical organizations,

and applicable agencies are consulted by City of Trinidad and County of

Humboldt, during discretionary project review, zone reclassifications,

and Plan amendments for the identification and protection of cultural

resources. Consultation on ministerial permits shall be initiated if it has

been determined a project may create a substantial adverse change in the

significance of a cultural resource.

Policy 1.05.A-3 — Projects located in areas found to have cultural resources

shall be conditioned and designed to avoid loss or substantial degradation

of these resources. Mitigation measures shall be required where new

development would adversely impact cultural resources.

Goal 1.05.B — Develop a Tribal Cultural Center

Policy 1.05.B-1 — Develop a multipurpose center that would include space

and facilities for a cultural museum, community center, youth activities,

storytelling, basketry, dress and regalia making, language training, library,

etc.

Policy 1.05.B-2 — Working with the Cultural Committee and Tribal Elders,

support and strengthen a cultural program designed to engage youth in the

language and practices of their heritage.

Policy 1.05.B-3 — Develop an activity center for tribal youth with emphasis

on sports and physical fitness and wellness.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

December, 2011

Goal 1.05.C — Access to Traditional Ceremonial and Gathering Areas

Policy 1.05.C-1 — Identify all significant cultural sites including traditional

gathering and ceremonial areas as part of maintaining access to the Tribe’s

cultural heritage.

Policy 1.05.C-2 — Work with federal, state, and local governments to ensure

protection of and access to significant traditional cultural sites.

Goal 1.05.D — Promote Traditional Building Styles and Materials

Policy 1.05.D-1 — New construction of tribal facilities should incorporate

traditional building styles, designs, and materials, where appropriate.

Policy 1.05.D-2 — Utilize traditional Tribal icons and language in directional

and information signage, interpretive displays, and for such accessories as

trash receptacles, benches, lighting, planters, etc.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Chapter 1.05: Cultural Resources

December, 2011

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Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Appendix

December, 2011

Appendix

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

A-1

Appendix

December, 2011

Appendix A: References

Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the

Trinidad Rancheria, The People, The Land, and

The Water, Marine Life Protection Act Initiative

Regional Profile, The Trinidad Traditional

Fisheries Coalition, April 6, 2010

A History of Transportation on the Yurok Indian

Reservation, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties,

California, Yurok Tribe, Winzler & Kelly,

Consulting Engineers, January 18, 2005

Preliminary Assessment of Development

Opportunities on Tribal Coastal Property,

Trinidad, Humboldt County, California,

Economics Research Associates, August 2007

Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the

Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Transportation Plan

2006-2026, Winzler & Kelly, Consulting

Engineers, March 15, 2006

A-2

Honoring the Past…Looking toward the future,

Trinidad Rancheria Highway 101 Interchange

Community Design Fair, Local Government

Commission, June 2009

The Story Behind the Successful Cherokee

Branding Campaign, undated report provided

by Lisa Maulson, Trinidad Rancheria

member.

Prosperity! The North Coast Strategy,

Humboldt County, 1999

Tribal Tourism Development: How to Capture

Tourist, Goss Agency, (no date)

Request for Proposal: Trinidad Pier and Harbor

Planning Study, Cher-Ae Heights Indian

Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, 2008

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Appendix

December, 2011

Appendix B: Workshop and

Meeting Notes

Disclaimer: The following Workshop and

Meeting Notes reflect comments that are the

individual thoughts, opinions and feelings of

attendees and may not be entirely accurate/

factual.

Vision Cards from Opening Night of the

Design Fair

November 1, 2010

• One stop tourist hub with mixed

use housing that blends into the

environment. Clean and green.

• Homes for everybody. Jobs for

everyone. Fishing—crab sales or a fish

hatchery. Room for sports competitions,

basketball, soccer ball fields, dance pits.

• Hotel and gas station. Freeway offramp/access. Housing cleanup, no

junk cars, garbage, dogs barking.

Neighborhood cleanup. Self-sufficient

tribe money that supports members.

• Land acquisition for members housing.

Self-sufficient businesses, jobs. Cultural

grounds, establishment of dance place.

Member participation. Native language

fluency. Water rights.

• My dream would be that the Tribe

would all come together and get more

involved.

• Museum and visitors center. Hotel and

gas station. Off-ramp. Vote as a united

community. Cut foliage for view of

ocean on scenic drive.

• For all members to be more involved in

the ceremonies and our culture. To be

united and stand together forever.

• For a promising future for our people.

Where we are proud of who we are and

where we come from.

• The long term vision for the Rancheria

is to help all Native Indians, other

Rancheria’s share money the casino

brings in with the members, such as

Yurok, Karuk. Eye glasses and more

health care for the teeth, elders and

youth.

• Landless, homeless Indians should

always have homes first. Tribal culture,

health care, jobs.

• Water issues. Tribal Development.

Tribal building to use all wind and solar

energy in the housing.

• Never taken from them that been here

there whole life.

• My dream is to have freeway access

while sustaining beauty and having

environmentally sound structures

(buildings and lands). Tribal members

are employed full time with health

benefits in good paying jobs.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

• More money.

• Freeway Access, youth programs, new

business investment.

• Help with establishing solar power.

Water rates. Bringing a off ramp and

hotel. Community Center

• Hotel resort. Destination resort. More

land, education, new businesses, full

funding of education.

A-3

Appendix

December, 2011

• It’s been fifty years to get where we’re

at. I would like to see the Highway

interchange and a hotel. I would like to

see the Rancheria office moved to Archer

Rd. in McKinleyville. A mini mart and

gas station.

• No cars on Scenic Drive. Zero tolerance

for any and all trash and litter especially

cigarette butts. A $50.000 fine for every

butt. Restore the beauty.

• Since our Rancheria borders the ocean,

I would like to see international water

rights.

• Development with minimal, but

positive impact to neighbors and local

communities.

• Hotel adjoining the casino, service

station, better water rates.

• I would like to see the pavement gone,

replaced by permeable paving, to see a

vibrant community of healthy people

with good jobs living in a green village.

• A drug rehab house for all the addicts.

• Build the interchange first.

• Connect with the fabulous 50’s national

car club, for a yearly trip in Trinidad.

This will boost economic stimulation.

This club already does these road trips.

Cultural music festivals i.e., traditional

Indian, American roots music, blues

and jazz. An outdoor/indoor bowl for

events.

• Reuse of water. More and easier access

to beach.

• Would like to see the sea easy to get

to for gathering fish, seaweeds and

mussels.

• Larger land base, solar panels. Fix

erosion on edges of property. Enclosed

play areas. Reuse potable water for

shrubs.

• Petroleum distributorship. Fuel supply

being barged in to the pier and sold in

our own station. A hotel resort.

• Gas station. Hotel for destination resort.

• New business, hotels, top tourist

destination, more land.

A-4

• Coastal Access that does not interrupt

life for Rancheria residents.

• My dream is to see a huge hotel

overlooking the Pacific Ocean. My

vision is to have a home and a place to

work for my grandkids.

• My home where I grew up is going

to be taken down to become the new

interchange. So I would like to have

something equal to what I have now.

A yard, room for my husbands and

baby girls garden. We paid to fill in the

carport. I do not want to end up in an

apartment.

• Hotel, prosperous casino, educated

members, low drug use/alcohol use.

• My dream for my tribe is unity—a

dream we’ve all had for a long time.

Hopefully it will happen keeping the

original assignees land for our children’s

future home. Higher education, Jobs

that teach all of us about running

our businesses. Preserving our own

water rights. No hotel—need land for

housing—didn’t see anything from the

last hotel!

• More education.

• #1 is water rates. I am 83 years old and

would like to see my grandchildren or

great grandchildren finish their higher

education so we can get more info in

order to complete our dreams since we

first came to build in 1951. 100% for the

interchange.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Appendix

December, 2011

• Education, class rooms, get on-line.

Counseling of any or every kind.

Spiritual training, education. Job

training. Drug and alcohol programs.

Education on dealing with change.

• I would like to see homes for everyone

on or off the Rancheria and jobs and a

good education for the young people.

• Community center, youth center,

museum, trail to the ocean.

• More education, more wisdom, more

land and housing, more beauty. Culture,

art (sculptures), unity—members

working together.

• Unity and education. Youth group and

sports.

• Interchange and businesses, land use

plan, tribal community services, new

Tribal office.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

A-5

Appendix

Original Assignees Focus Group Notes

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

• Myra Lowe

• Fred Lamberson, Jr.

• Joy Sundberg

• Harry J. Walker

• C. Jean Walker

What are the top issues on the Rancheria?

• Water prices are too high, Highway

access is much needed. Would like to

see great grandchildren go on to get

education.

• Would like to see interchange, hotel,

mini-mart, grocery store. Would like to

see Tribal Office moved to McKinleyville

due to limited land availability. Make

some money, create jobs, provide health

care.

• Would like to capture northbound traffic

before overhead traffic. Scenic Drive is

getting really bad. Safety concerns.

• Want to see interchange, service station.

• Remodel restaurant at the harbor. Make

it look better, handicap access.

• Land acquisition for housing—it’s a

must. Living is cheaper in McKinleyville.

• Get utility costs down.

December, 2011

What type of cultural facilities would you

like to see?

• Joy and Juanita would be great for

storytelling, people would come from all

around to hear the stories. Baskets could

be stored.

• Education for tribal members as well as

visitors.

• There is a strong link to gathering of

seafood and fish on the entire north

coast.

• Other communitiy facilities are needed:

Create programs for drug rehab.

Luffenholtz has a Native American rehab

facility. Expand the facility to serve the

Rancheria.

What facilities would you like to see on

main parcel?

• There could still be some housing on

the main parcel. There isn’t adequate

parking for a large event. Bussing

happens down to seascape.

• Hotel should be here to capture the

view, with parking to support it. Views

should be maximized. Destination resort.

Link to dock, fishing, eco-tourism, state

parks, lagoons, Ladybird Johnson grove,

hiking, spiritual sites that medicine

people visit, bird watching, trinity and

Klamath rafting, ceremonial dances all

summer. This could be the headquarter

spot. A unique hotel tied into the

environment and culture, state of the art,

• The casino has so much competition,

tribal enterprise should be diversified.

We were fine when we were the only

ones in the gaming business.

A-6

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Appendix

December, 2011

What is the need for housing?

• Family housing. Would like to see

family on the same lot. Multiple

homes on one lot. People like to have

their family next to them. The “family

village”. Integrated elder care and

childcare.

• Housing assignments should pass on to

next of kin.

• Need a concrete policy on housing

assignment inheritance. Check out

housing assignment ordinance.

Need a kids/recreation center. Place for

classes, beading, sewing, sculpturing.

Dressmaking, regalia making,

15 units of transitional housing (income

dependent to determine no cost or low cost).

With ICDBG funding, build 2-3 units per

year and move people out of transitional

housing. Move out by year 5. Is it triballyowned? Or some arrangement to personally

own?

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

A-7

Appendix

Employee Focus Group Notes

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

• Andy Lamberson, TO Maintenance

• Butch Rindels, Facilities Manager, Tribal

Operations

• Rachel Sundberg, Tribal Historic

Preservation Officer

• Ruby Rollings, Dock, Pier, Gift Shop,

Crabbing

• Jonas Savage, Environmental Director

• Ron Sundberg, Environmental

Consultant

• Kenneth Childs III, TO Maintenance

• Kevin Wells, TO Fiscal Department

• Lillian Strong, Tribal Council

• Amy Atkins, TO Administration

What are the top Issues to be addressed?

• Water accessibility and Waste Water.

Access to clean drinking water at

reasonable rates. Energy Efficiency,

Conservation, Net-Zero Emissions, Ties

in with economic issues and savings.

Casino is large consumer of energy.

Making greener, more efficient homes

for economic and health reasons.

• Address Leach fields and disposal issues

so economics can continue to grow.

• Growth for jobs. Fish hatchery, acquire

Trinidad head to preserve fishing and

beach access.

• More centralized waste-water treatment

for housing.

• Cultural places: dance pits. Connecting

cultural practices to future economic

development. Dance pits were

historically on the beach near the pier.

A-8

December, 2011

• Tribal Museum/Cultural Interpretive

center. Build a replica village for

educational purposes and tribal

cultural use. Build it on main parcel.

Maintain housing on main parcel. Land

acquisition becomes an important issue

to accommodate all these things, and

continuous land base.

• Expansion, UIHS building could be torn

down and provide facilities, hot showers

for RV park. Overpass would allow for

hotel and RV park development. Small

treatment plants would allow homes

to be closer together. Bring the youth

center back—funding would need to

be restored. Even McKinleyville folks

would use a youth center on main

parcel.

• Need community centers on both

sites. Larger one on main parcel with

museum, library, recreation center and

gym.

• Lots of opportunity at dock. Buy all

crab and ship to buyers in San Francisco.

There are a lot of kayakers, its becoming

a destination. Kayak rental with Indian

Guide of rocks with native names.

Oyster farms, cannery. International

water rights—7 miles out, open a port

for shipping. World-wide business with

local seafood and distribute locally out

of port. Right now the money coming in

from the dock is docking fees (13 cents/

lb), then it is shipped to Washington

to processing. Processing facility and

smokehouse wouldn’t need to be all that

big, and could be located at any Tribal

parcel.

• Establish protection of native rights to

gather at subsistence level.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Appendix

What is the Need for Housing?

• There are people that want a small

chunk of land, and some that want larger

lots. Some people might want more

compact housing: college kids. Concern

there is too much water in the ground to

support compact housing. New compact

development would be at Archer road.

Relocation would need to be to Trinidad,

not McKinleyville.

• There was a list of 23 people on the

housing needs list.

• All the houses are “on your own” for

maintenance.

• There is some grant money for specific

maintenance programs.

• Tribal Government pays for garbage and

fire insurance.

December, 2011

What is the need for an RV park:

• There is a need for capturing the RV

market. Developed RV parks at Casino’s

is a bona fide business. Money is made

off of gambling. Tied to charter boats for

fishing.

• Hotel would be above casino

• RV park could happen at Clinic

location. Community center could go

on current RV parking area. Gym could

be downstairs. 20 RV parking spaces

would be minimum.

• How much money does an RV

contribute to the economy? Each RV

registers with security, and if they are a

carded player, we can track the revenue

to casino.

• Preventative maintenance of septic

pumping becomes a financial

consideration.

• Set up a pumping and inspection plan

for septic systems.

• Housing policy is needed to address

assignment turnover. The council

currently holds the power. Inheritance

issue needs to be addressed. There is lots

of uncertainty.

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

A-9

Appendix

December, 2011

Appendix C: Community Image

Survey Results

A-10

Trinidad Rancheria Comprehensive Plan

Trinidad Rancheria, CA

Community Image Survey Results

April 15, 2011

Prepared by the Local Government Commission

The Trinidad Rancheria Community Image Survey (CIS) was presented on April 15, 2011 during

the second community participation workshop for the Comprehensive Community-Based Plan.

The CIS consists of 40 slides from Trinidad Rancheria and other communities. Taken as a whole,

the slides present contrasting images of design issues — scale and character, gateways and signs,

materials and facades, building frontage and parking lots, landscaping, housing, and walkability.

The survey was used during the second community participation workshop to involve

community members in the planning process and to inform the creation of the Integrated

Development Standards -- the day-to-day implementation tool for the Comprehensive Plan.

A copy of the Community Image Survey is included with this report along with instructions for

how to administer it. Rancheria staff, elected officials and volunteers may want to use the CIS to

obtain input from a larger cross-section of residents and Tribal members. The CIS is a tool that

facilitates the public’s involvement in the planning process and is relatively easy to use. It can be

administered at a wide variety of meetings of civic associations including neighborhood groups,

chambers of commerce, the Rotary Club, PTAs, and in local schools.

Participants who took the survey were asked to rate each image on a scale of –5 to +5 based on

the following criteria:

1. Do I like or dislike the image?

2. How much do I like or dislike it?

3. Is it appropriate for Trinidad Rancheria?

An average score for each of the 40 images was calculated. Scores ranged from a low of –4.5 to

a high of +5. (A printout of all 40 images listing average scores is attached.)

Following the discussion of the survey results, participants were shown the average scores for all

40 images in the Survey. Each pair of images was discussed in more detail and workshop

participants were asked to identify what they liked or disliked about each image. While the major

focus of the Community Image Survey was to engage residents in a participatory exercise, the

numerical averages are useful in determining which elements of the built environment are

viewed as positive and which are considered negative. These views can then help to shape

planning policies and decisions, including the Integrated Development Standards.

Following is a list of elements participants during the workshop identified as reasons for liking

an image:

tree planting

green space for stormwater management and open space

smaller scale, human-scale

use of natural materials that are culturally sensitive and evoke traditional design elements

delineated pedestrian environment with sidewalks and bike racks

______________________________________________________________________________

Community Image Survey Results

Prepared by the Local Government Commission

inviting and people-friendly, more personal

small town feel

safety for pedestrians and children, walkability

continuity of signage

traditional design elements using arches and circles to reflect the culture

regionally-appropriate, historic, mom-and-pop feel

lighting directability for dark sky protection

privacy

places to sit

village feel

beautiful landscaping with lots of color and traditional plants

In addition, participants identified the following elements as reasons for disliking an image:

has a strip mall feel

doesn’t complement landscape or fit in with natural environment

too much paving and concrete

big open parking lots

lighting out of scale and pollutes the night sky

no buffer between pedestrian and vehicular realm

By reviewing this list of likes and dislikes we can identify more clearly some of the steps that

community members of Trinidad Rancheria believe can be taken to improve and create a more

livable community.

Fitting in with the Natural Environment

Preservation of scenic views and carefully blending new development in with the natural

environment were very important to participants. The highest scoring image in the survey (#1)

was the picture of the ocean view from the Tribal Office and received a score of +5. This image

scored much higher than a big box store located at the base of a forested mountain (#21), which

received a neutral score of 0. Similarly, a small hotel complex nestled into the trees and hillside

(#34) received a score of +3.5 compared to a similar sized hotel complex in the middle of a

paved parking lot without trees (#14, score: -0.5). Participants commented that they preferred

the landscaping, restful feel, and balconies associated with the hotel that was “better balanced

with the natural landscape”.

Scale & Character of Development

Participants in the CIS repeatedly indicated the importance of building buildings and facilities at

a human-scale and with a character that reflects the rural, cultural landscape of Trinidad

Rancheria and the North Coast. Participants commented that they preferred a smaller-scale of

development for any new RV park, gas station, retail, or hotel at the Rancheria. A pair of images

of two gas stations revealed that the smaller-scaled gas station with an “old time” design (#12)

was preferred over a larger scaled modern gas station (#32). The more rustic character of a

human-scaled, place-based resort (#26) was preferred over an automobile-oriented casino and

hotel (#6). A picture of a large big-box retail establishment (#11) scored lower than a smallerscaled retail complex (#31). Participants preferred the more “human-scaled” building and

______________________________________________________________________________

Community Image Survey Results

Prepared by the Local Government Commission

described it as being more inviting, having better landscaping, colors, and architecture, and

evoking more interest and curiosity”. In a pair of images of an RV park (#13 and #33),

participants preferred the image with less paving, more landscaping, and built to a smaller-scale

that fit better into the environment. A pair of images of harbor development (#19 and #39)

contrasted Trinidad Pier’s rural, industrial nature with Monterey Pier’s pedestrian- and retailfilled environment. Interestingly, participants rated these images equally, and commented they

liked the more enclosed feel and activity of the Monterey Pier, although it feels too touristy.

Ultimately, both Piers need places to sit to enjoy the water. Participants discussed the

importance of scale and character in reference to two images (#3 and #23) of hospitality

entrances. Image #3 of a casino entrance scored a neutral 0, while image of Potowat Health

Center scored +3. Participants preferred the hospitality entrance with comfortable and safe to

access for pedestrians, use of natural materials that are culturally sensitive, and more humanscaled design elements.

Gateways & Signs

Participants liked signage that utilizes natural materials, provides continuity, and creates a

gateway effect. The lowest score in the CIS (image #30, score: -4.5) was in response to a cluster

of signs haphazardly set in front of a building; an image of a casino sign with a traditional

background scored higher (image #10, score: 1). Participants preferred it because it looked like

it was made from natural materials, was easier to read, and provided visual continuity with the

surroundings. Two images of gateways to a community (#18 and #38) illustrated different ways

to provide a gateway entrance: a large welcome sign to a community, and a well-landscaped

roundabout, respectively. Neither image was preferred over the other, and participants

commented that they liked the use of rock, and beautiful color spots in landscaping. They also

indicated that having buildings front the street and built to the sidewalk makes for a stronger

gateway – both gateway treatments would be welcome at Trinidad Rancheria.

Materials & Facades

Generally, participants preferred wooden buildings utilizing traditional design elements such as

arches and circles that reflect Native culture. As previously discussed, an image of the Potowat

Health Center (#23) was preferred over the image of a casino built of more modern-looking

materials (#3). An image of a downtown business in Eureka, CA (#5) was preferred to a picture

of a suburban strip (25) mall largely due to the materials used in the building and streetscape.

Participants commented that paving stones, sidewalks with texture and art, and street furniture

add to the historic, livable, and walkable feel. An image of a building façade with a circular

wooden doorway (#9) scored higher than an image of a painted wooden building with a

rectangular doorway (#29). Participants prefer the natural wood look with circular traditional

design elements.

Building Frontage and Parking Lots

The relationship of parking to the street was explored in a series of paired images. Overall,

participants liked parking lots at the rear of buildings that are well-landscaped. One image

showing a small parking lot with permeable paving, landscaping and bicycle racks (#16) scored

higher than a large open parking lot with no landscaping or bicycle facilities (#36). Properties

with landscaped buffers between buildings, parking lots and the street were preferred by

participants. A parking lot with a landscaped buffer and smaller clusters of parking areas (#2)

scored higher than a large open parking lot with no landscaping or separation from the roadway

______________________________________________________________________________

Community Image Survey Results

Prepared by the Local Government Commission

(#22). A commercial streetscape with on-street parking, buildings built up to the sidewalk, and

attractive colorful landscaping (#24) scored higher than another commercial streetscape with onstreet parking and a large parking area between the sidewalk and business (#4). Participants

described the former as being more inviting, people-friendly, and more personal. Similarly, a

streetscape with a building built to the lot line with on-street parking (#5) scored higher than a

suburban strip mall with a parking lot between the roadway and the storefronts (#25).

Landscaping

Landscaping is widely perceived as beautiful, and when placed appropriately, can increase safety

in the pedestrian environment by acting as a buffer between the pedestrian and vehicular realms.

Many of the preferred images in the CIS had beautiful landscaping that participants commented

on. Landscaping is an important component in parking and streetscape design, as well as

gateway treatments, and building projects of all types. Images of parking areas with landscaped

buffers scored higher than parking areas without (images #7 and 27; #16 and #36). The image of

the RV park showing native trees, flowers and tasteful landscaping scored higher than the image

of the RV park with lots of asphalt (# 13 and #33).

Housing

Participants preferred images of homes clustered in a “village” atmosphere with plenty of

greenery and privacy. A large-lot single-family detached home indicative of other wellmaintained homes on the Rancheria property did not score as well as a village cluster of singlefamily detached homes in a similar forested setting (#15 and #35). While concerns about privacy

in the village cluster were raised, participants clearly favored it. Sidewalks removed from traffic

add a sense of safety for children and all pedestrians. A two-story multi-family housing complex

with a common green as a focal-point (#17) scored higher than another two-story multi-family

housing complex without the green, and surrounded by parking lot (#37). Participants preferred

the greenery, landscaping, and village feel, as long as privacy is protected.

Walkability: Paths, Sidewalks and Bicycle Facilities

Walkability is a critical element of a livable community; not only must destinations have

proximity to one another, but they must also be connected by a network of paths and sidewalks.

Bicycling is another non-motorized transportation choice for slightly longer trips, and bicycle

facilities such as bike racks and striped bike lanes are needed to support these trips. An image of

an abruptly ending sidewalk in a commercial district (#8) scored much lower than an image of a

walkway separated by greenery from the roadway and parking lot (#28). Participants

commented that the signage in the latter picture provided continuity and that this pedestrian

environment felt safer, and would probably be used more. Another image of a pathway separated

from a roadway by lighting and landscaping (#40) scored higher than its counterpart: a sidewalk

with no separation from a busy roadway and no landscaping (#20). Separating paths and

sidewalks from roadways creates safety.

______________________________________________________________________________

Community Image Survey Results

Prepared by the Local Government Commission

Tell me, I forget;

Show me, I remember;

Involve me, I understand

The Community Image Survey

— A Tool for Public Participation in Planning —

I. The Community Image Survey

Background on the Visual Preference Survey™

Anton Nelessen and Associates developed the Visual Preference Survey™ (VPS™)

as a technique to help communities get input from their citizens about what they

liked and disliked about their city. Their responses could then be used in future

planning efforts as a vision for what the public wanted their community to be like.

The VPS™ has been successful as both an educational tool and as a citizen

participation process.

In its traditional use, as administered by A. Nelessen and Associates, the VPS™

consists of a set of 180-240 images, all of which are taken from the public realm, in

the same season, and under similar weather conditions. About 80% of the 180-240

slides should be taken from within the specific community, while 20% can be images

from other communities. The goal is to get at least 1% of the total population of the

community to participate in the VPS™.

Some cities that have used this technique include Portland, Oregon; Vancouver,

British Columbia; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Truckee, California and Carson City,

Nevada.

About the Community Image Survey

The Local Government Commission contracted with A. Nelessen and Associates to

produce a shortened version of the Visual Preference Survey™ to be used as an

educational tool in Southern California (this demonstration of the VPS™ was called

"Vision Southern California"). A. Nelessen and Associates also prepared a

guidebook to accompany the "Vision Southern California" slides, which is available

on loan from the Local Government Commission.

The Local Government Commission has successfully used this shortened survey in

other parts of California and the Western United States as a discussion tool for local

elected officials, planners, and community members. Our version of the survey,

called a "Community Image Survey" (CIS), consists of 40–60 images from a

community or region. People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to

participate in this fairly simple process, which can be used to both educate and

stimulate discussion at the local level.

Local Government Commission staff has received training from Anton Nelessen on

how to produce and administer these surveys. We are available on call to both

produce "Community Image Surveys" for interested communities and to loan out and

advise on the use of versions of the survey that we have already produced.

II. A Sample Survey

Please rate images from +5 to -5, with 0 being neutral

1. ____

11. ____

2. ____

12. ____

3. ____

13. ____

4. ____

14. ____

5. ____

15. ____

6. ____

16. ____

7. ____

17. ____

8. ____

18. ____

9. ____

19. ____

10. ____

20. ____

III. How to Produce a Community Image Survey: Basic Steps

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Assemble an advisory committee/working group of interested individuals

Have a meeting: make a presentation (what is the CIS? how is it used? etc.)

Select the geographic scope for your CIS and outline the issues to be

addressed

Collect any relevant existing slides and organize them by issue

Create initial pairs, pairing a "good" example of a topic with a" bad" example

Identify holes: issues or half of a pair that are missing

Research where to go to take the slides to fill the holes (ask advisory

committee/working group to help identify where to go)

Take slides (all from the public realm, taken at same time of day and time of

year)

Assemble pairs (using all available slides)

Select the best 20 pairs

Revisit the issues list to make sure all issues are addressed by slide pairs

Revise selection of 20 pairs as needed

Put the slides in an appropriate order

Preview the survey: administer it to the advisory committee/working group

15. Revise the survey as needed (replace any slides that have an average score

near 0)

IV.

Sample Topics that can be addressed in a Community Image Survey

General Issues & Sample Topics for a Land Use CIS

•

single family residences: design and orientation (garages and front

porches)

•

multi-family housing: design and orientation

•

residential streets: wide vs. narrow, tree-lined

•

sidewalks: along street or protected by green planting strip

•

downtowns: pedestrian-oriented downtown shopping vs. big box

retail/malls

•

office buildings: big building isolated by parking vs. above retail

•

mixed use

•

transit

•

open space

•

parking: huge empty lots vs. street parking or good parking structure

•

neighborhood open space: parks & bike paths

•

commercial streets: downtown vs. strip commercial

•

space making vs. space taking design

•

street edges & residential design: walls & gated communities

•

preserving historic buildings

V. How to Administer the Community Image Survey

Introductory Remarks

Vision planning is a first step toward creating a community vision. It is a technique

that empowers people to become part of the planning process. It is often a

catalyst for discussion.

Every one of you has a different vision. When we use words like "mixed-use," or

"pedestrian-oriented," you have an idea in your mind as to what that looks like.

The Community Image Survey helps you visualize those choices.

The underlying premise of vision planning is that we cannot create credible plans

unless we can first see and understand the vision. To do that, we have developed

a technique to stimulate discussion, called the Community Image Survey.

Based on a process first developed by Anton Nelessen and Associates of

Princeton, New Jersey, called the Visual Preference Survey™, a Community

Image Survey is a process by which a community can participate in evaluating its

existing environment and in developing a common vision for the future.

Everyone can participate in this process. Everyone's opinion matters.

Instructions for Survey Participants

Tell participants that they will be looking at 40–60 images, each of which they will

be asked to rate. Each slide should be given a value between –5 and +5, with 0

being neutral. Participants should ask themselves three questions:

•

Do I like the image? (then decide whether the slide is a positive or a

negative)

•

By what value do I like it? (then assign a number value — is it a plus 3, or

a plus 5, or merely a plus 1, etc.)

•

Is it appropriate for the area? (then adjust the number value accordingly)

Images that are acceptable and appropriate should be assigned a positive value.

Images that are neutral or ambivalent should be assigned a zero. Images that are

unacceptable and inappropriate should be assigned a negative value.

Let people know that the slides will be shown quickly. Reassure participants that

there is no right or wrong answer — their initial, "gut" response is best.

Evaluating the Results

After participants have taken the survey, collect the survey forms. Depending on

how much time is available, you can determine the median scores for all the slides,

or for a sampling of them. The medians or averages can be obtained fairly quickly

by entering the responses into a computer spreadsheet program, or by having one

person read off the scores for a particular slide, and having a second person enter

those scores into a hand-held calculator, and then dividing the total by the number

of surveys to obtain an average score for each image.

If you only have time to present back a few of the slides, the Local Government

Commission recommends pre-selecting certain pairs. The easiest to use are those

pairs that generally elicit the highest positive or negative results. If you don't have

time to add the scores for all of the surveys, be sure to select those to be averaged

at random. We recommend that at least 50% of the surveys be included in the

initial analysis.

The images that receive the highest negative or highest positive ratings show

where there is the most consensus in the group. These are the slides that tend to

generate the most discussion and interest. (Those images with lower scores,

closer to zero, represent images that did not generate a strong response or which

received a mixture of ratings. Those are generally not as useful in a large group

discussion.)

The simplest technique for presenting the results is to show the slides again as

pairs (either all of the slides or just the slides you've pre-selected), tell participants

the average score the slide received, and ask the participants why they rated that

particular slide the way they did ("Why did you like or dislike this image?").

We recommend recording people's responses on large sheets of paper or on flip

charts (it is best to have two easels — one for the positive characteristics and one

for the negative). After analyzing a few of the slides in this manner, you will most

likely see that the positive characteristics listed will tend to reappear in all of the

positive images, and likewise for the negative ones. In addition, solutions to the

negatively rated slides can often be found in the positively rated slides.

Remarks for Presenting the Results

The results of the Community Image Survey include public participation and

education, and the beginning of a process for developing a common vision of what

participants would like their community to look like. After administering the CIS,

you can analyze and better understand both the problems and the potentials that

exist within the community.

Pull out the details that are acceptable or unacceptable to the participants.

Those images that are rated the most positive are the most appropriate or best

liked. These should be included in a comprehensive/general plan. Encourage

participants to look at their zoning with those images in mind — does the current

zoning allow this?

Those images that are rated the most negative are the most inappropriate or least

liked. Often these represent the participants' greatest fear. Encourage participants to look at their general plans, codes and zoning with those images in mind —

if existing zoning allows the things that people dislike to occur, local government

planners might want to revise their regulations.

Pulling out the positive and negative characteristics allows you to create plans, and

write and illustrate codes that better reflect the community's preferences.

If you have questions, or need assistance developing a Community Image Survey, please

contact Paul Zykofsky, AICP, Director, Center for Livable Communities, Local Government

Commission, 1303 J Street, Suite 250, Sacramento, CA 95814, phone: (916) 448-1198 x317,

fax: (916) 448-8246, e-mail: pzykofsky@lgc.org

5/31/11

Score: 5

Score: 0

#21

Score: 2

Score: -2

#22

Score: 0

Score: +3

#23

5/31/11

Score: -2

Score: +2

#24

Score: +2

Score: -2

#25

Score: 0

Score: +3

#26

5/31/11

Score: +2

Score: -2

#27

Score: -1

Score: +3

#28

Score: +3

Score: 0

#29

5/31/11

Raised planter box

Score: 1

#10

Score: -4.5

#30

Score: -2

#11

Score: +2

#31

Score: +0.5

#12

Score: 0

#32

5/31/11

Score: 0

#13

Score: +2

#33

Score: -0.5

#14

Score: +3.5

#34

Score: +4

#15

Score: +0.5

#35

5/31/11

Score: 0

#16

Score: -1

#36

Score: +1

#17

Score: +0.5

#37

Score: +2

#18

Score: +2

#38

5/31/11

Score: +3

#19

Score: +3

#39

Score: -2

#20

Score: +1

#40

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.