To: Zoning Administrator
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
CRC Storage Structure Project
Assessor Parcel Numbers (APN) 401-122-008
Record No.: PLN-2026-19579
Samoa area
A Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the demolition of an existing storage structure and construction of two new storage structures in approximately the same location. The structure to be demolished is an existing, partially walled, steel canopy structure that covers and contains existing washdown facilities with a sump, an aboveground storage tank (AST), and a fueling facility. The two structures to be constructed will serve the same purpose as the one being demolished, as well as providing additional covered area for servicing equipment without exposure to weather and stormwater runoff. The existing washdown facilities, AST, and fueling facility will remain as they are. The project parcel is part of the California Redwood Company (CRC) chip facility and is developed with various structures supporting the facility.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Planning Commission:
1 - Adopt the resolution, (Attachment 1) which does the following:
2 - Finds the project is categorically exempt from environmental review per Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction and Section 15303 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures of CEQA Guidelines; and; and
3 - Finds the proposed project complies with the Humboldt Bay Area Plan and Zoning Ordinance; and
4 - Approves the Coastal Development Permit subject to the conditions of approval (Attachment 1A).
Body
DISCUSSION:
Project Location: The project site is located in the Samoa area, on the northeast corner of Vance Avenue and Bay Street, on the property known as 405 Bay Street.
Present General Plan Land Use Designation: Industrial, Coastal Dependent (MC), Humboldt Bay Area Plan (HBAP). Slope Stability: Relatively Stable (0).
Present Zoning: Industrial, Coastal Dependent (MC), Combining Zone for Archaeological Resource Area Outside Shelter Cove (A).
Environmental Review: Project is categorically exempt from environmental review per Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction and Section 15303 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures of CEQA Guidelines.
State Appeal: Project is appealable to the California Coastal Commission
Major Concerns: None
Monitoring Required: None.
Executive Summary: A Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the demolition of an existing storage structure and construction of two new storage structures in approximately the same location. The structure to be demolished is an existing, partially walled, steel canopy structure that covers and contains existing washdown facilities with a sump, an aboveground storage tank (AST), and a fueling facility. The two structures to be constructed will serve the same purpose as the one being demolished, as well as providing additional covered area for servicing equipment without exposure to weather and stormwater runoff. The existing washdown facilities, AST, and fueling facility will remain as they are. The project parcel is part of the California Redwood Company (CRC) chip facility and is developed with various structures supporting the facility.
Biological Resources: Based on a review of the California Natural Diversity Database on August 3, 2026, the project parcel is within an area of sensitive and/or critical resource habitats for species such as the yellow rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) and the Western Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus nivosus). The subject parcel is currently developed and is unlikely to provide adequate habitat for the potential species described above. The proposed development will occur within the curtilage of the existing development. A referral response from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife also noted nesting Ospreys in the area. Although the nests are more than 300 from the project area. The DFW requested that any work to be completed would occur outside of the typical nesting period or consultation with CDFW occur. This condition has been included in the Conditions of Approval (1A item #3A).
Hazards: The new development conforms with the Hazards policies in the Humboldt Bay Area Plan Coast Area Plan 3.17. The purpose of this section is to minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geological, flood and fire hazard, as well as, assure stability and structural integrity, and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction of the site or surrounding areas or in any way require the construction of protective devices that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs and cliffs.
The parcel is in an area that is Relatively Stable (0). The parcel is located outside of the in an Alquist-Priolo Fault Hazard Zone but is in area subject to potential liquefication. As the parcel is on Humboldt Bay the property is subject to future sea-level rise but is not prone to flooding per Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) flood maps. Lastly the property is within the Peninsula Community Services District for fire protection.
Access: The property is accessed via either Bay St from Navy Base Rd in Samoa or can be accessed from Vance Avenue via Navy Base Road. All the roads mentioned are County maintained.
Tribal Consultation: The project was referred to the Blue Lake Rancheria, the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, the Wiyot Tribe, and the Northwest Information Center. A referral response from the Northwest Information Center indicated the proposed project has a potential of impacting any unrecorded archaeological site(s). It was recommended that the Lead Agency requests referrals from local tribal partners, which has been completed. No responses were received from local Tribal Historic Preservation Offices. The standard Inadvertent Discovery condition is included within the conditions of approval (Condition of Approval 1A Item #2A).
Environmental Review: Project is categorically exempt from environmental review per Section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction and Section 15303 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures of CEQA Guidelines
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The project was referred to responsible agencies and all responding agencies have either responded with no comment or recommended approval or conditional approval. (Attachment 3)
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Zoning Administrator could elect to add or delete conditions of approval. The Zoning Administrator could elect not to approve the project, or to require the applicant to submit further evidence, or modify the project. Modifications may cause potentially significant impacts, additional CEQA analysis and findings may be required. These alternatives could be implemented if the Zoning Administrator is unable to make all of the required findings. Planning Division staff have concluded that the required findings are in support of the proposal have been made.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution
A. Conditions of Approval
B. Site Map and Location Map
C. Site Plan
2. Applicant’s Evidence in Support of the Required Findings
A. Project Description and Plan of Operation
B. Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement
3. Referral Agency Comments and Recommendations
A. CDFW
Applicant:
Zachary Giffin
PO Box 68,
Korbel, CA 95550
Owner:
California Redwood Company
1301 5Th Ave #2700
Seattle, WA 98101
Agent:
Stein Coriell,
812 W. Wabash Ave.
Eureka, CA 95501
Please contact Michael Kein, Associate Planner, at MKein2@co.humboldt.ca.us or 707-268-3739 if you have questions about this item.