Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – Continuing to respond to the evolving needs of the cannabis industry, Humboldt County supervisors are changing the timing and conditions of cannabis excise tax payments. At its March 26 meeting, the Board of Supervisors voted to adjust the timing of the tax payments to coincide with harvesting and…
Planner: No harm in dunes work
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union MANILA – The county’s Planning Director has responded to complaints about the Friends of the Dunes (FOD) invasive grass removal and restoration work in Manila, saying that loss of foredune and wetland impacts are not occurring on the group’s property. Planning Director John Ford updated the group’s permitting status at…
‘Equity’ program for cannabis industry advances
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – Moving forward on a three-pronged cannabis economic support strategy, Humboldt County’s Board of Supervisors has approved an assistance program for cannabis farms and businesses. Supervisors approved an urgency ordinance creating a Local Equity Program (LEP) at their March 19 meeting. The urgency stems from a looming deadline…
Supes mull meeting rule changes
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – Spurred by the recommendations of one of its members, Humboldt County’s Board of Supervisors will consider changing the rules under which its meetings are conducted. An annual review of meeting rules at the March 19 supervisors meeting was less routine than may have been anticipated. Fifth District Supervisor…
McKinleyville to begin planning for Town Center
Jack Durham Mad River Union McKINLEYVILLE – Sometime this summer, McKinleyville will begin planning the future of its Town Center. Although no specific date has been picked, Senior Planner Michael Richardson of the Humboldt County Planning Department assured members of the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee (McKMAC) at a meeting March 13 that the Town Center…
Locals seek Coastal Commission post
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – Emphasizing the importance of having local representation on the state’s Coastal Commission, Humboldt County’s Board of Supervisors has nominated city officials from Arcata and Eureka for an open seat. At their Feb. 26 meeting, supervisors agreed to nominate Arcata Mayor Brett Watson and Eureka City Councilmember Natalie Arroyo…
County eyes McKinleyville cost tracking for services it provides
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – For many years, McKinleyville residents have considered the prospect of turning their county-controlled community into an incorporated city and an effort to assess the costs of it is in a formative stage. The idea of having the county track its services costs specifically for McKinleyville was discussed at…
County General Plan build-out could heighten fire risk
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – As Humboldt County’s Board of Supervisors approved a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, some supervisors questioned whether residential and road expansion impacts have been adequately addressed in the county’s General Plan. The new fire risks posed by expanding residential densities in timberlands were discussed as supervisors approved an update…
Rambling Jack: Mack Town takes the reins
Something positive and important is happening in McKinleyville. It’s been visible at recent governmental meetings, where residents are showing up in larger numbers. They’re engaged. They’re informed. They’re asking for a greater say in how McKinleyville solves its problems and shapes its future. Take, for example, the Jan. 30 meeting of the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory…
School Choice Week gets poor grade
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – Last week was poised to be National School Choice Week in Humboldt County but a proposed Board of Supervisors proclamation on it failed after it was flagged for discussion. Supervisor Mike Wilson pulled the proclamation from the Jan. 22 board meeting agenda, citing the use of tax funding…