To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Public Hearing
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
A Zone Reclassification (ZR) to Rezone Approximately 750 Acres of Land Zoned Agriculture Exclusive with a 160-Acre Minimum Parcel Size (AE-B-5(160)) and Unclassified (U) to Timberland Production Zone (TPZ)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Open the public hearing, receive, and consider the staff report, the Planning Commission’s recommendation and accept public comment; and
2. Close the public hearing; and
3. Adopt the resolution (Attachment 1) making all the required findings for approval; and
4. Adopt the ordinance (Attachment 4) to approve the Zone Reclassification of 750 acres on APN’s 102-101-001, 106-161-011, 106-0161-012, 106-171-003; and
5. Direct the Clerk of the Board to execute the Certification of Rezone and publish the Ordinance Summary in a local newspaper and provide a Certified Board Order to the planning and building staff to be included with the notice of the decision to appropriate parties.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Sustainable Natural Resources & Infrastructure Stewardship
Strategic Plan Category: 5004 - Preserve agricultural and timber land
DISCUSSION:
The Board of Supervisors is being asked to grant a Zone Reclassification to rezone approximately 750 acres on four parcels. The project proposes changing the zoning from Agriculture Exclusive (AE) and Unclassified (U) to Timberland Production Zone (TPZ). The parcels, acreages and current zoning classifications are shown in Table 1. The parcels have a total acreage of 1,041 acres. Upon approval of the proposed zone reclassification all parcels will be classified as TPZ. The zone reclassification does not entitle new development or establish parcel legality. However, this specific rezone classification would result in an estimated $320,094 reduction in annual property tax revenue, a portion of which would be recouped with timber harvests. The Planning Commission voted unanimously at its meeting of June 4, 2026, to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the proposed zone reclassification (Attachment 4).
The request to reclassify these lands was filed because the applicant proposes managing their entire contiguous 1,441-acre land holding for timber production. The property has historically been managed for timber production and grazing as well as compatible uses including management for watershed resources, fish and wildlife habitat, and uses integrally related to the growing, harvesting and processing of forest products.
A conservation easement exists on the four parcels proposed for rezoning. The conservation easement conserves the productive timber capacity of the property while maintaining natural values on the parcels. The rezone is in the public interest and is consistent with General Plan policies. The purpose of this re-zoning is to protect the use of the property for timber production which is a key part of the county’s economy. The rezone is consistent with the required findings for the zone reclassification, as well as the findings required under Section 312-50.8, Supplemental Timberland Production Zoning Procedures, and is consistent with the Forest Taxation Reform Act of 1976. The Forestry Review Committee reviewed the project at their meeting on Dec. 15, 2025, and recommended approval of the project by a unanimous vote. The minutes of the Forestry Review Committee are attached (Attachment 5). The growth potential for these parcels is more than the 15 cubic feet of conifer growth per acre per year for site III Douglas Fir land that is specified under the Government Code as required for rezoning to timberland.
Referral agencies have been contacted for their comments and all responding agencies have either recommended approval, raised no objections, or provided no comment. The rezone does not facilitate any additional development pressures on the property and helps to ensure the long-term management of the property for forestry and open space resources. Based on the on-site inspection, a review of Planning Department reference sources, and comments from referral agencies, planning staff believes that the applicant has submitted evidence in support of making all the required findings for approval of the Zone Reclassification.
Table 1: Price Creek Ranch Rezone Parcels
|
APN |
Current Zoning |
General Plan |
Total Acres |
Existing TPZ |
Existing non-TPZ |
|
102-101-001 |
AE-B-5; TPZ |
AG, T |
164 |
69.5 |
94.5 |
|
106-161-011 |
AE; TPZ |
AG, T |
394 |
91 |
303 |
|
106-161-012 |
U |
AG |
162 |
|
162 |
|
106-171-003 |
AE-B-5; TPZ |
AG, T |
321 |
130 |
191 |
|
total |
|
|
1,041 |
290.5 |
750.5 |
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Applicant Fees - Planning and Engineering Services (1100277-608000)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The administrative cost of the zone reclassification does not impact on the General Fund. The applicant is responsible for paying all actual costs involved. If the Zone Reclassification is approved, there will be an impact on property tax revenue. The Humboldt County Assessor estimated that the assessed value after the rezone would be approximately $320,094 less per. Therefore, as the base property tax rate in California is 1% of the assessed value, there would be roughly $3,200 less per year collected of property taxes, of which typically 15-20% goes to the county General Fund, or $640. Some of that tax revenue would be recouped through the timber yield tax when timber is harvested and sold.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Processing of this application has been accomplished with existing staff.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The project was reviewed by County Counsel.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors could elect not to approve the project. This alternative should be implemented if your Board is unable to make all of the required findings.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Zone Reclassification Petition
3. Rezone Ordinance
4. Planning Commission Resolution 26-30
5. Forestry Review Committee Minutes
6. Draft Certification of Timberland Production Zone Status
7. Post-Adoption Summary of Ordinance
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 6/4/2026 Planning Commission
File No.: 26-578