Will single occupancy residencies, including coastal zones, be allowed to get permits for vacation rentals?

The morning session of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors regular meeting ended with closed session in which one of the items  the Supervisors  considered was the appointment of the CAO. Currently, the interim CAO is Cheryl Dillingham.

There was nothing to report out of closed session.

Planning and Building Department Director Rob Wall, staff member Steven Santos and Senior Planner Michelle Nielsen gaveca brief representation.

There are 4 legal findings board needs to find to take the first step in this process. Regulations will take time to be put in effect.

If approved, single occupancy residences in unincoporated areas and coastal zones can get a special permit for occupancy as a vacation rental "on a transient basis", which is less than 30 days.

Several owners who had complaints filed against them want a "pathway to compliance" and to set "performance standards", said Mr. Santos.

This is the only otem this afternoon, besides board member reports.

will update later...

Item L 1 from the Planning and Building Department is Vacation Home Rental Zone Reclassification Petition, County-wide; Application Number 9986; Case Number ZRP-15-003.

Staff recommendation:

That the Board of Supervisors open the public hearing and receive the staff
report and public comment; close public hearing; accept the petition by
approving the attached resolution (Attachment 1) based on the findings in the
staff report and testimony received about the project; direct the Clerk of the
Board to give notice of the decision to the Planning and Building Department,
the Assessor's Office and any other interested party.

About 20 people were in attendance for the vacation rentals item.

"Mara Parker, from Westhaven sent this letter out to various media last week, some printed it. I did not print it until today as this item was not officially on the agenda when i received her letter last week.

A hearing is scheduled at the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors's Chambers on Tuesday, February 9 at 1:30 PM. The vacation rental profiteers want to legalize vacation rentals throughout the unincorporated areas of Humboldt County.  They have filed a request with the county to reclassify zoning throughout the unincorporated areas of Humboldt County to allow these roadside motels in our residential areas.

If you (long time community members) don't want to live next to strangers who invade our neighborhoods and disrupt our quiet country living with loud parties, trash, traffic, dogs pooping on our lawns, cars parking on our properties, and trespassing by both two-legged and four-legged creatures on our private properties, your attendance and your voice is greatly needed at this hearing.

Cities and counties throughout the state and country are banning these roadside motels (aka vacation rentals) because of their disruption of the way of life of their communities.

The quick cash from out-of-towners is fueling the greed of the white-collar profiteers in our county who plan to take over our neighborhoods. (I've lived next to one of these roadside motels for a couple years now and I can tell you that I might as well be living next to a Motel 6 for snobs.) These out-of-towners with money don't give a hoot about the neighbors. They are not considerate; as a matter fact they are the exact opposite of considerate.

Help save and preserve the quality of life here in Humboldt County. Help stop these vacation rentals from taking over. It's time to take a stand. Your voice is needed on February 9th."