In a stunning reversal of recent trends, the Humboldt County Planning Commission voted 4-1 in favor of language that would allow homes on land zoned TPZ at it’s GPU meeting in Eureka Thursday April 15th.

The vote came at the end of a night filled with public testimony in favor of rural rights and after much wrangling over other language in the Forest Section (4.6) of the Land Use Element.

In fact, the issue of residential construction on timberlands was deemed so controversial that commissioners first thought it would have to be put over to the next meeting since there were only 10 minutes left on the clock by the time they got to that policy.

But it appears our voices were heard after all and a quick straw poll resulted in the 4-1 vote.

Specifically, the commissioners voted to adopt language provided by the Humboldt County Resource Lands Working Group which is comprised of The Buckeye Conservancy, the Humboldt County Farm Bureau, Humboldt Del Norte Cattlemen Association, Large Timberland Owners Group and the Forest Landowners of California (Humboldt Co. Representatives).

The language is very similar to that provided by the Forestry Review Committee and we at HumCPR have been very vocal in our support.

The Policy As Approved:

“Residential Construction on TPZ Zoned Parcels: Recognize the right to construct a residence under a ministerial permitting process subject to physical standards set by the County. Second units; may be allowed on TPZ parcels greater than 160 acres; And, may be allowed on TPZ parcels less than 160 acres as a conditional use only in the area already converted, intended to be converted, or that does not meet the definition of timberlands. Second units may be allowed on TPZ parcels less than 40 acres within Community Planning Areas.”

[To underline the significance of this vote it's worth taking a look at the policy proposed under Alternative A, which language had just been revised. It read as follows: "FR-P9. Residential Construction on TPZ Zoned Parcels: Preserve continued viability of timber production on TPZ zoned parcels by requiring demonstration of active management for timber production prior to issuance on new residential permits and by mitigating the impacts of residences on water resources, biological resources, wildland fire potential and public services. . Residential uses shall be limited to individuals employed on the premises for lands planned Industrial Timber (IT) or necessary for the management of timberlands on lands planned Timber Production (T)". ]

This is a clear victory for rural rights and it’s important to note that we must continue to speak out! There is still a lot to be discussed and clarified. And it will be the Supervisors who decide in the end!

A Big Thanks to all who showed up at the meetings so far! Let’s keep up the good work!

The Humboldt County Planning Commission will return to its deliberations on rural lands policies on Thursday April 15th

According to Planning Department staff the Commission intends to continue discussion of section 4.6 of the land Use Element. The meeting begins at 6:00 PM at the Supervisors’ Chambers in Eureka.

Public Comment Will be Accepted at this Meeting.

It is very important to attend this and subsequent meetings if you can. There are several very controversial aspects to this section especially relating to your right to build a home on your land if it is zoned for timber. The proposed mandatory merging of contiguous parcels in single ownership is also a key issue. This is when resource land owners will learn the Commissioners’ responses (if any) to their issues and concerns. Decisions made at this level will have major impacts on your stewardship rights.

After much discussion as to whether or not their input was warranted, the Forestry Review Committee will finally have a chance to present their GPU recommendations to the Planning Commission on Thursday, MARCH 11TH (The meeting was originally scheduled for February 25th).

The FRC is a standing subcommittee appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors.  They act in an advisory capacity to both the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and to the Planning Commission, and consider technical forest related matters of concern to Humboldt County. The subcommittee informs and makes recommendations on these matters to both the Supervisors and the Planning Commission.

This presentation has been on hold for some time as the commission discussed Planning Director Kirk Girard’s position that the FRC charter adopted by the Supervisors, does not authorize the FRC to make policy-related recommendations.

The upshot of the discussion is that a representative of the FRC will present their recommendations on the 11th

The FRC has not commented on the plan recently but in 2008 they presented their recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

This will be a very important meeting for those interested in TPZ- related issues, such as BUILDING A HOME ON LAND ZONED FOR TIMBER.

According to staff, “The Commission intends to continue the ongoing discussion of the draft Land Use Element, Sections 4.5 Agricultural Resources (and possibly Section 4.6, Forest Resources) from 6:00pm to 7:00pm and then accept a presentation from the chair of the Forestry Review Committee of the Committee’s recommendations on the Forest Resources policies”.
The Assessor has also been added to the agenda: Again, according to staff, “The Assessor will follow with a presentation on revenue and valuations concerning the Timber Yield Tax and the Timber Production Zone”.

The Humboldt County Planning Commission will return to its deliberations on rural lands policies on Thursday February 18th

According to Planning Department staff “the Commission intends to continue the ongoing discussion of the draft Land Use Element, Sections 4.5 Agricultural Resources (and possibly Section 4.6, Forest Resources) from 6:00pm to 8:30pm” at the Supervisors’ Chambers in Eureka.

Public Comment May be Accepted at this Meeting.

It is very important to attend these meetings if you can. This is when resource land owners will learn the Commissioners’ responses (if any) to their issues and concerns. Decisions made at this level will have major impacts on your stewardship rights.

Land Use Element of the GPU

6:00 PM January 21st, 2010 CANCELLED

Board of Supervisors Chambers, Eureka

The Planning Commission will continue deliberations on Section 4.5, the Agricultural Lands section of the Land Use Element to February 18th

Also, at it’s Jan 14th meeting the Commission had discussed scheduling a presentation from the Forestry Review Committee on the 21st.

According to senior planner Martha Spencer “It is anticipated that the Forestry Review Committee will be available to present their recommendations” during the February 18th meeting instead.

Public Comment will be Accepted at this Meeting.

It is very important to attend these meetings if you can. This is when resource land owners will learn the Commissioners’ responses (if any) to their issues and concerns. Decisions made at this level will have major impacts on your stewardship rights. There is no clear indication of when we will be able to address them again