Apartments built above an open first floor, like a parking structure, are referred to in construction as "soft story" or "soft belly" buildings. Soft bellied buildings are vulnerable to collapse in a moderate to severe earthquake in a phenomenon known as soft story collapse. The inadequately-braced level is relatively less resistant than surrounding floors to lateral earthquake motion, so a disproportionate amount of the building's overall side-to-side drift is focused on that floor. Subject to disproportionate lateral stress, and less able to withstand the stress, the floor becomes a weak point that may suffer structural damage or complete failure, which in turn results in the collapse of the entire building.
The construction materials and techniques required to make a soft story building that meets earthquake safety standards are much more expensive. Developers recoup those expenses through building rentals. Since the initiative's zoning overlay doesn't allow commercial units, all increased rent is an increase in housing costs. This means housing in the unit doesn't conform to affordable housing ranges that we need to develop to absorb projected population growth.
Forcing this new zoning overlay into Eureka's general plan for Old Town will lock 21 lots into this poison pill arrangement, making them effectively unusable. This is a large part of what will put us out of compliance with California's Department of Housing and Community Development. It will also scuttle multiple development projects already underway. This isn't a compromise Eureka can afford.