To: Planning Commission
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
McCullough Ranch LP, General Plan Amendment and Zone Reclassification
APNs: 316-184-002, 316-184-004 and 316-185-005
Record Number: PLN-2026-19619
Titlow Hill Area
A General Plan Amendment (GPA) to change the designation of approximately 320 acres of McCullough Ranch LP property from Residential Agriculture (RA 40 & RA 160) to Timberland (T). This change will make the General Plan designation consistent with the historic management of the parcels and will maintain established uses of the parcels. A Zone Reclassification (ZR) is also included to change the zoning of the parcels to Timberland Production Zone (TPZ).
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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:
An applicant-initiated General Plan Amendment to change the designation of approximately 320 acres of McCullough Ranch LP property from Residential Agriculture (RA 40 and RA 160) to Timber (T). This change will make the General Plan Designation consistent with the historic management of the parcels and will maintain established and future uses of the parcels. A zone reclassification is also requested to change the zoning from Agriculture Exclusive (AE) and Unclassified (U) to be zoned entirely as Timber Production Zone (TPZ). The Board of Supervisors accepted the General Plan Petition at their meeting on April 14, 2026. The Forestry Review Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the rezone into TPZ on October 19, 2026.
The project is in the public interest as it will ensure that these lands are protected through zoning and open space contracts for continued timber and agricultural production. The Guiding Principles of the Humboldt County General Plan encourage, incentivize and support agriculture, timber ecosystem services and compatible uses on resource lands. The McCullough Ranch is an approximately 2,800-acre contiguously owned working forest and currently meets stocking standards. It is in the public interest to align land use and zone district boundaries with physical use of the land. From the 2017 General Plan: “While forestlands are unquestionably the County’s greatest long term economic asset, they are also the County’s greatest natural resources asset, providing a wealth of ecological values. They influence the supply and quality of water resources. They provide habitat for wildlife and plants, some of which is critical to endangered species. And because trees remove carbon from the atmosphere, they are pivotal to the state’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” The General Plan acknowledges the public interest in maintaining forest lands for timber and ecosystem uses. Protecting forest and agricultural lands for continued timber, agricultural production and open space is in the public interest. The Zone Reclassification aligns with the goals, policies and standards of the Guiding Principles (Section 1.4 in the General Plan) and Forest Resources (Section 4.6 in the General Plan). The Guiding Principles encourage, incentivize and support agriculture, timber ecosystem services and compatible uses on resource lands. The Forest Resource section supports the conservation, development and utilization of forest resources and its policies are consistent with the California Timberland Productivity Act.
Two of the subject parcels (APN 316-184-004 and 316-185-005) were identified in the 2019 Housing Element Inventory. Both parcels were identified within the Above Moderate-Income inventory in the Rural Residential Zoning Group and have the potential to support one single family residence and one accessory dwelling unit each. Although these parcels are proposed to change zoning to TPZ, no change in density will occur and both parcels will continue to be principally permitted for one single family residence and one accessory dwelling unit. Both parcels will continue to be identified as potential housing inventory.
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 three legal parcels are located in the Titlow Hill area, on the south side of State Highway 299, approximately 3,500 feet east of the intersection of Titlow Hill Road and State Highway 299, on properties located in Sections 20 and 29, Township 6 North, Range 4 East, Humboldt Base & Meridian.
Present General Plan Land Use Designation: The three legal parcels involved in this application have Land Use Designations of either Residential Agriculture (RA40 and RA 160), and/or Timber (T). Inland General Plan (IGP). Slope Stability- Moderate Instability.
Present Zoning: The three legal parcels involved in this application have zoning designations of Timberland Production Zone (TPZ), Unclassified (U), and/or Agriculture Exclusive (AE).
Environmental Review: Project is exempt from environmental review pursuant Section 15264 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)- adoption of timberland preserve zones.
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 conditional approval (Attachment 4).
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. GPA and ZR Site Map
B. Draft Ordinance for Adoption by the Board of Supervisors
2. Location Map
3. Timber Management Guide
4. Referral Agency Comments and Recommendations
Applicant:
McCullough Ranch LP
Dena McCullough
PO Box 846
Blue Lake, CA 95525
Owner:
McCullough Ranch LP
Dena McCullough
PO Box 846
Blue Lake, CA 95525
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.