To: Planning Commission
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Wood General Plan Amendment and Zone Reclassification
Assessor Parcel Numbers (APNs): 032-134-009 and 032-134-010
Record Number: PLN-2026-19617
Garberville Area
A General Plan Amendment (GPA) and Zone Reclassification (ZR) to change the General Plan land use designation from Residential Low Density (RL) to Mixed Use (MU) and the zoning from Residential One-Family (R-1) to Mixed Use Urban (MU1). The General Plan Petition was accepted by the Board of Supervisors on June 9, 2026.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Planning Commission:
1. Adopt the resolution, (Attachment 1) which does the following:
a. Make all of the required findings for approval based on evidence in the staff report and public testimony; and
b. Recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the General Plan Amendment and Zone Reclassification.
Body
DISCUSSION:
The applicant has requested that the Land Use Designation change from Residential Low Density (RL) to Mixed Use (MU), and the zoning to change from Residential One-Family (R-1) to Mixed Use Urban (MU1), on two parcels adjacent to the Jerold Phelps Community Hospital in Garberville. APN 032-134-009 is a parking lot owned by Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District. No changes to the parking lot are proposed as part of the GPA and ZR. APN 032-134-010 contains a single-family residence with garage and is owned by an audiologist. Should the GPA and ZR be approved, the residence will be converted to a commercial use as a hearing healthcare facility, and the garage will be converted to a residential unit.
Recognizing the importance of mixed use in urban areas to combine medical services and residential options is in the public interest. Additional commercial services, support clinics and professional offices have moved within proximity of the hospital and neighboring commercial and residential properties, making the location appropriate for mixed use. The purpose of the zoning of Mixed Use (MU1) is to provide for pedestrian-oriented development including commercial, office and higher density residential options within urban areas.
Expanding the potential to allow both commercial and residential options within proximity to the hospital is also consistent with the intention of the Guiding Principles of the General Plan. The Guiding Principles identify promoting and facilitating the creation of affordable housing opportunities to meet current and future demands of all income levels as well as creating high quality jobs and career opportunities. Should the proposed GPA and ZR be approved, higher density residential options and a variety of commercial use types would be principally permitted on either parcel. The Board of Supervisors approved the General Plan Petition on June 9, 2026.
Based on review of Planning Division reference sources and comments from all responding referral agencies, planning staff believe that the applicant has submitted evidence in support of making all of the required findings for approving the General Plan Amendment and Zone Reclassification.
Project Location: The project site is located in the Garberville area, on the east side of Cedar Street, at the intersection with Elm Street, on properties known as 747 and 757 Cedar Street.
Present General Plan Land Use Designation:
APN 032-134-009: Residential Low Density (RL), 1-8 units per acre
APN 032-134-010: Residential Low Density (RL), 1-8 units per acre
Present Zoning:
APN 032-134-009: Residential One-Family (R-1)
APN 032-134-010: Residential One-Family (R-1)
Environmental Review: Project is exempt from environmental review per Section 15301n (converting a single-family residence to office use), and 15305 (Minor alterations in land use limitations), of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
State Appeal: Project is not appealable to the California Coastal Commission.
Major concerns: None.
Monitoring Required: None.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The project was referred to responsible agencies and all responding agencies have either recommended approval or conditioned approval (Attachment 3).
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. The Planning Commission could elect not to approve the project. This alternative should be implemented if your Commission is unable to make all of the required findings. Planning Division staff is confident that the required findings can be made. Consequently, planning staff does not recommend further consideration of this alternative.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution
A. Draft Ordinance for Adoption by the Board of Supervisors
a. Legal Description
b. Rezone Map
2. Location Map
3. Referral Agency Comments and Recommendations
Applicant:
Kenneth and Leslie Wood
416 Center Street
Yuba City, CA 95991
Owner:
Kenneth and Leslie Wood
416 Center Street
Yuba City, CA 95991
Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District
733 Cedar Street
Garberville, CA 95542
Please contact Alice Vasterling, Associate Planner, at avasterling@co.humboldt.ca.us <mailto:avasterling@co.humboldt.ca.us> or (707)268-3777 if you have any questions about this item.