To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Public Hearing
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Adoption of an Ordinance to Accept the Coastal Commission Changes to the Coastal Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance Adding Section 313-91.2 and Amending Sections 313-138 and 313-171 of the Humboldt County Code to Provide a Uniform Set of Standards for the Development, Siting, Size, Maintenance, and Installation of Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Within the Unincorporated Coastal Areas of Humboldt County and Repeal of Previously Adopted Coastal Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance (Ordinance 2704)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the resolution (Attachment 1) to take the following actions:
a. Find that the proposed Coastal Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15251(f), Exemption for Certified State Regulatory Programs, of the State CEQA Guidelines; and
b. Find that the proposed Coastal Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance is in the public interest and is consistent with the General Plan, the Coastal Act, and State Housing Law; and
2. Repeal Ordinance 2704; and
3. Adopt the ordinance (Attachment 2), Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance - Coastal. Adding Section 313-91.2 and Amending Sections 313-138, and 313-171 of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title III of the Humboldt County Code, Establishing Uniform Regulations for Wireless Communications Facilities Within the Unincorporated Coastal Areas of Humboldt County, as modified by the California Coastal Commission; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to publish the Post-Adoption Summary of the Coastal Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance (Attachment 3) within 15 days after adoption by the Board, and to post in the Office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors a certified copy of the full text of the adopted ordinance along with the names of those Supervisors voting for and against the ordinance.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: A Diverse, Equitable & Robust Economy
Strategic Plan Category: 2003 - Improved broadband and cellular connectivity
Area of Focus: Sustainable Natural Resources & Infrastructure Stewardship
Strategic Plan Category: 5006 - Improve communications infrastructure (e.g., broadband)
DISCUSSION:
Executive Summary:
The Coastal Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 29, 2022 (Ordinance 2704 - Attachment 5) and transmitted to the Coastal Commission on Aug. 26, 2024. On Dec. 11, 2025, the Coastal Commission certified the ordinance subject to the county adopting the Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications shown in Attachment 4. The suggested modifications do not cause any inconsistencies with the original adoption by the Board of Supervisors.
The Coastal Commission suggested the following modifications to the Coastal Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance:
1. Add Section 313-91.2 regarding uniform and comprehensive standards for the development of wireless telecommunications facilities.
2. Amend Section 313-138 (Definitions) to delete the existing definition for “Communication Transmission Facilities.”
3. Amend Section 313-171 (Civic Use Types) to amend the Minor Generation and Distribution Facilities Use Type.
The above modifications were a collaborative effort between county and Coastal Commission staff to create a coastal version of the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance consistent with the adopted inland version of the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance. Formatting of the ordinance was also modified by staff to be consistent with the County Code formatting conventions.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund Contribution (1100)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Staff costs and other expenses related to work on the coastal ordinance, and preparation and review of this staff report total approximately $8,900. The staff positions to complete this work are filled and allocated and are included in the General Fund contribution to the Long Range Planning unit 1100-282.
STAFFING IMPACT:
None.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Coastal Commission.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to accept specific modifications to the proposed Coastal Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance. Staff does not recommend this alternative because that would nullify the Coastal Commission’s certification, and the County would have to re-start the process with the Coastal Commission.
Alternatively, the Board may decline to approve the Coastal Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance if it finds that the evidence presented does not support making all the required findings. Planning staff has concluded that the evidence supports making all the required findings and does not recommend further consideration of this alternative.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution
2. Ordinance No. _____
3. Post-Adoption Summary
4. Coastal Commission Adopted Findings
5. Ordinance 2704
6. Notice of Coastal Commission Action
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 11/29/2022 Board of Supervisors
File No.: 22-1585
Meeting of: 11/1/2022 Board of Supervisors
File No.: 22-1295
Meeting of: 4/21/2022 Planning Commission
File No.: 21-17452
Meeting of: 4/7/2022 Planning Commission
File No.: 21-17452
Meeting of: 3/3/2022 Planning Commission
File No.: 21-17452
Meeting of: 2/17/2022 Planning Commission
File No.: 21-17452
Meeting of: 2/3/2022 Planning Commission
File No.: 21-17452
Meeting of: 1/6/2022 Planning Commission
File No.: 21-17452
Meeting of: 12/16/2021 Planning Commission
File No.: 21-17452