The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. to consider an ordinance with zoning changes for the McKinleyville Town Center project.

The Board of Supervisors will also consider the draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) that looks at the possible environmental effects of future development in the town center area, including the Life Plan Humboldt project.

Background 

The Humboldt County General Plan and McKinleyville Community Plan outline a vision for the McKinleyville Town Center to be developed with a mix of commercial, civic and residential uses, public gathering spaces, open space and wetland preservation. Part of the vision is to create a vibrant area where people can live, work and gather, with easy access by walking, biking, driving or via public transit. 

To make this vision a reality, two amendments are being proposed to the existing zoning code:

• Rezone the entire McKinleyville Town Center site as “Mixed Use-Urban”, which allows a mix of residential, commercial and civic uses.
• Adopt a “Q-Zone” combining regulations that, among other guidance, would modify the proposed principal mixed use zoning regulations. 

The changes would allow development of a mix of commercial, service, retail as well as residential uses. The focus on the town center is to create space that is provides pedestrian and bicycle connections, small open spaces for public gathering and a 14-acre wetland reserve. 

Development of the new McKinleyville Town Center would happen gradually over time, with each new project going through a zoning conformance review process known as Zoning Clearance Certification.

Public Hearing

The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed zoning changes, DEIR and receive public comment on Monday, Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. All interested parties are invited to attend in person in the Board of Supervisors’ Chamber in the Humboldt County Courthouse, located at 825 Fifth St. in Eureka, or on Zoom. Zoom information will be provided in the meeting agenda when it is published on the county’s meeting agenda web page.

Public comment can made during the meeting or sent by email to cob@co.humboldt.ca.us before the meeting. Community members who email a comment should include their name and the agenda item number. Comments sent after the meeting agenda is posted will be added to the administrative record following the meeting.

The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access to all county programs, services and activities through the provision of accommodations for individuals with qualified disabilities as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  With 72 hours prior notice, a request for reasonable accommodation for the public meeting can be made by calling 707-268-3732.   

For more information, please contact Humboldt County’s Planning & Building Director John Ford at 707-268-3738, email jford@co.humboldt.ca.us or visit the Planning & Building Department office, located at 3015 H St. in Eureka.