Title
Amendments to the Humboldt Bay Area Plan and Coastal Zoning Regulations to Allow the Samoa Peninsula Wastewater Project
Case Number: PLN 2020-16642
Samoa Peninsula area
The Humboldt Bay Area Plan (HBAP) and the Coastal Zoning Regulations are proposed to be amended to allow the Samoa Peninsula Wastewater Project (SPWP) to proceed. The SPWP includes the construction and operation of a consolidated wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system intended to correct public health and water quality problems resulting from failed on-site wastewater treatment systems on the Samoa Peninsula outside the Town of Samoa, including the community of Fairhaven. The proposed amendments to allow the SPWP would: (1) provide an exception in the Humboldt Bay Area Plan to allow the extension of wastewater service outside the Urban Limit Line within the Peninsula Community Services District for existing structures served by on-site wastewater systems; and, (2) provide an exception in the Humboldt Bay Area Plan to allow wastewater from outside the Samoa Town Master Plan Overlay Area (STMP) to be treated at the STMP Wastewater Treatment Plant; and, (3) amending Section 311-7 of Chapter 1, Division 1, Title III, of Humboldt County Code (HCC) to change the zoning of properties in the Fairhaven area to apply a Q - Qualified Zone prescribing performance standards for new infill development in Fairhaven on parcels planned and zoned for residential uses located within 300 feet of the public sewer lines to address hazards relating to sea level rise and tsunami inundation and to protect Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (EHSA) as an interim measure while comprehensive planning that will culminate in future amendments to the HBAP that is underway to address exposure to sea level rise and tsunami hazards and ESHA protection in the area is complete.
Recommendation
Based on evidence in the staff report and public testimony, make all the required findings and adopt the Resolution recommending that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors find that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the preparation and adoption of a local coastal program by the County pursuant to Public Resources Code 21080.9 and to CEQA Guidelines Section 15265(a) and adopt the proposed LCP amendments, including amendments to the Humboldt Bay Area Plan and Coastal Zoning Regulations (as may be modified by the Planning Commission).