Robert Wall appointed as interim Director of Planning and Building for the County

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors last week appointed Robert Wall to the position of Interim Director of Planning and Building.

Wall currently serves as the supervising long-range planner in the department. There he has helped guide the General Plan Update (GPU), developing a robust public outreach process including putting on workshops and hearings throughout the county. As interim director, Wall will supervise the department and continue guiding the GPU and the medical marijuana land use ordinance, among other duties.

Prior to his time with the county, Wall served as the senior long-range planner and then director for the Planning Department with the City of Eureka. While with the city, some of Wall’s accomplishments included two certified housing elements, serving as the project planner for the Lost Coast Brewery project, securing environmental clearances and coastal development permit for development of the Hikshari Trail, and finalizing the city’s historic preservation element of the general plan. Wall also worked in the private sector with SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologist for several years and prior to that was a planner with the County of Humboldt. Wall has also worked on three general plan update teams in the north state.

“Rob has already had a very positive impact in the Planning Department since he came on board,” said Estelle Fennell, Chair of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors. “I look forward to working with him as we all work to make our Planning Department even better with greater customer service to our community.”

Other pieces of Wall’s background include being certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners since 2001, graduating from Humboldt State majoring in geography, and earning his master’s in rural and town planning from Chico State. Wall also served our country in the Coast Guard. He will replace Director Kevin Hamblin, who is set to retire in December and will serve until a permanent director is appointed.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as interim director and look forward to the opportunity to work alongside our dedicated planning and building team and citizens of Humboldt County,” Wall said.