Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – County supervisors have deferred action on controversial General Plan rezoning items but a new timberland zoning designation has been approved with a focus on larger parcels. That will allow what planning staff recommended against – opening up smaller and mid-sized timberland parcels to cannabis grows. Under the pressure…
Supes: Dell’Arte enriches, expands, builds community
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – In the midst of Dell’Arte International’s five-week Mad River Festival event, Humboldt’s Board of Supervisors has honored the theater school and performance company as a cultural asset that’s inspired by – and enriches – the county’s communities. At their July 2 meeting, supervisors approved a resolution honoring the…
Hemp on hold again
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – A temporary ban on hemp cultivation has been reinstated in Humboldt County after a brief lapse that saw hemp growers flood the agricultural commissioner’s office with applications for state registration. But those applications are voided by the reinstated ban and the county will proceed with developing regulations for…
Commission supports leaving Town Center planning to McKinleyville
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union McKINLEYVILLE – Humboldt County planning commissioners debated aspects of a zoning category that will apply to McKinleyville’s Town Center but agreed to defer to an upcoming community-driven process. Commissioners also voted to recommend that a new timberland category not be adopted by the Board of Supervisors due to doubts about…
Supes change cannabis tax rules
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…