To: Zoning Administrator
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Vero Fiber Networks, LLC Coastal Development Permit (CDP)
Record Number: PLN-2026-19547
Assessor Parcel Numbers (APN): Addresses listed in Attachment 1C
Various locations in the Greater Eureka Area within the local jurisdiction of the Coastal Zone.
A Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for Vero Fiber Network for the installation of fiber optic cables within existing rights-of-way utilizing trenchless underground alignment.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Zoning Administrator:
Adopt the Resolution, (Attachment 1) which does the following:
a. Finds the project complies with the Humboldt Bay Area Plan, Eureka Community Area Plan and the Zoning Ordinance; and
b. Finds the project exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 Existing Facilities and Section 15304 Minor Alterations to Land of the CEQA Guidelines, and that there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment; and
c. Approves the Coastal Development Permit subject to the Conditions of Approval (Attachment 1A).
Body
DISCUSSION:
Project Location:
This project is in the Greater Eureka Area, within existing rights-of-ways in the Indianola, Myrtletown and Elk River areas.
Present General Plan Land Use Designation and Present Zoning:
All parcels identified to have underground alignment within existing rights-of-way are within the Humboldt Bay Area Plan (HBAP) and Eureka Community Plan Area (ECP). General Plan designations are Rural Residential (RR), Residential Low Density (RL) or Commercial General (CG), and Zoning designations are Residential Single Family (RS), Residential Multi-Family (RM), Rural Residential Agriculture (RA) or Mixed Residential (R-1 and R-2).
Density: Various.
Environmental Review:
Project is exempt from environmental review per Section 15301 Existing Facilities and Section 15304 Minor Alterations to Land of the CEQA Guidelines.
State Appeal:
Project is within local jurisdiction and is NOT appealable to the California Coastal Commission.
Major concerns: None.
Monitoring Required: None.
Executive Summary:
A Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for Vero Fiber for the installation of fiber optic cables within existing rights-of-way in the greater Eureka area. This project includes new construction and utilization of existing utility poles. The new construction consists of underground and aerial fiber optic cable. 50.40 miles of aerial and 10.19 miles of underground work are proposed for this project. Underground alignment will utilize HDD (i.e., trenchless) methods. The boring itself will not produce any spoils as it pushes the soil to the side. HDDs are guided by a drill head fitted with a steering tool using magnetometers and inertial devices to track the direction of advance (horizontal and vertical) and the absolute location. The directional bore machine occupies the bore entry site and drills steel casing into the ground at an angle. Once the bore casing reaches the desired depth, it is leveled out as the drilling continues to push the pipe horizontally through the ground. Entry pits for the bores would be at a minimum depth of 4 feet. Manholes, hand holes, pull boxes, and bore pits would be excavated along highways and road shoulders using a small excavator. It is assumed that these features would require excavation of up to 4 feet in depth. The area of excavation will vary slightly, but each of these should be less than 4 square meters (43 square feet) in total. The volume of ground disturbance for each of these items should not exceed 5 cubic meters (most of which will likely be in already disturbed soils from previous road construction). All disturbance would be temporary except for the small footprints occupied by manhole and handhole lids, which would be flush with the ground. Manholes, pull boxes, and bore pits are planned to be placed in locations free of sensitive biological resources. Bore pit backfilling will begin immediately after the conduits are installed. Backfilling will be accomplished with a rubber-tired backhoe or similar equipment. Backfill material will be compacted to eliminate erosion and soil settlement.
For aerial installation, fiber optic line will be added to existing electric distribution or telecommunications poles within public road ROWs. If a pole is found to be unable to support the additional weight, or it is in poor condition, it may need to be replaced. If a pole needs to be replaced, it will typically be done immediately adjacent to the existing pole or even within the same hole if engineering permits. A hydraulic auger, approximately 2 feet in diameter, will drill into the ground approximately 6-9 feet below the ground surface, depending on the size and height of the new pole to be installed and the types of soils present. The new pole will be lifted into place via a hydraulic boom. The spoils from the hole will be used to backfill around the new pole, using a hydraulic compacter attachment. Overhead hardware and equipment are installed on the new pole, then the wires are switched to the new pole, and the old hardware on the old pole is removed. The old pole will then either be cut down in pieces or pulled out whole using the hydraulic boom if there is room. The pole will then be carried back for proper disposal since it likely will be considered hazardous waste due to the treatments the pole has received over its lifespan. The old hole will then be backfilled using clean, imported fill. The anticipated area of new ground disturbance per pole is approximately 4 square feet, up to depth of 9 feet, with an estimated volume of disturbance of approximately 1 cubic meter. There will be temporary overland travel and staging of vehicles around the base of the pole, within a 50-foot diameter.
A Biological Constraints Report for Eureka Fiber Project Phase ll (Biological Report) was prepared by Eocene Environmental Group, March 2026 (Attachment 2B). The proposed project is all within existing rights-of-way on developed or previously disturbed properties. As noted in the Biological Report, desktop review of the project areas indicated the anticipated impact to special status plant and wildlife species had either no impact or low potential for impact. The Biological Report evaluated a total of 84 special-status plant and wildlife species. Three plant species were identified to have moderate potential to occur within the 250-foot buffer of the project footprint: Howels’s montia, maple-leaved checkerbloom and Pacific golden saxifrage. These species are found on disturbed soils, roadsides, or have recently been observed near the project area. Another 27 special-status plant species were determined to have low potential to occur in the project area. Four fish species were found to have designated critical habitat within 1.5 miles of the projects area, however no in-water work is anticipated as part of this project and therefore no impacts to waterways are expected. Pursuant to the conditions of approval for the proposed project, a project biologist will be designated to ensure project-wide biological measures are followed. Environmental awareness training for key personnel, flagging boundaries of sensitive areas, and preconstruction surveys are also required within the conditions of approval. If work is required during the nesting bird season (February 1 to August 31), nesting bird surveys are required, and work may be delayed if an active bird nest is located in or near the project footprint. Avoidance measures and Best Management Practices within Table B-1 of the Biological Report (Attachment 2B) will be followed.
The project was referred to Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, Blue Lake Rancheria, Northwest Information Center (NWIC) and the Wiyot Tribe. NWIC identified multiple cultural resource studies that have been recorded within the proposed project area and recommended including the inadvertent discovery protocol and contacting local Tribes regarding traditional, cultural and religious heritage values. No response from local Tribes was received. A Class I Cultural Resources Desktop Review of Vero Fiber Eureka Phase II (Cultural Resources report) was prepared by Eocene Environmental Group April 2026. As noted in the Cultural Resources Report, the area of potential effects encompasses a 30-meter buffer and measures approximately 1,882.36-acres. The proposed project is all within existing rights-of-way on developed or previously disturbed properties. This Class I cultural resources desktop review included a record search from the NWIC but no new survey. This study identified no isolated occurrences, one historic-era archaeological site, three precontact archaeological sites, eight historic built environment resources, and no multicomponent archaeological sites within the APE. None of the 12 resources will be affected by the proposed work so a recommendation of no adverse effect was given.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The project was referred to responsible agencies and all responding agencies have recommended approval or conditional approval. (Attachment 3)
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Zoning Administrator could elect to add, modify or delete conditions of approval. Staff has concluded the required findings in support of the proposal can be made.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution
A. Conditions of Approval
B. Project Location Maps
C. List of Owners and Residents Addresses
2. Applicant’s Evidence in Support of the Required Findings
A. Detailed Project Description
B. Biological Constraints Report
3. Referral Agency Comments and Recommendations
A. Humboldt County Department of Public Works, dated 5.11.26
B. Humboldt Community Services District Memo, dated 6.9.26
4. Public Comment
APPLICANT, OWNER, AGENT AND PLANNER INFORMATION:
Applicant
Vero Fiber Networks
c/o Joseph Wicelinski
1023 Walnut Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Owners
See Attachment 1C
Agent
Eocene Environmental Group
c/o Natalie Woodmansee
2433 Bennett Valley Road, Ste A200
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Please contact Alice Vasterling, Associate Planner, at 707-268-3777 or by email at Avasterling@co.humboldt.ca.us <mailto:Avasterling@co.humboldt.ca.us>, if you have any questions about the scheduled item.