Guiding Principles of the GPU

In March 2004, the County Board of Supervisors passed the following Guiding Principles for the General Plan Update.  Healthy Humboldt Coalition is urging the County to continue following these principles to ensure a General Plan that works for our community’s future.

• The plan must work to preserve the unique character of Humboldt and the quality of life we enjoy.

• The plan must provide sufficient developable commercial, industrial, and residential land, and policies to address the current scarcity of affordable housing and prevent scarcity under a range of population growth scenarios.

• The plan must ensure efficient use of water and sewer services and focus development in those areas and discourage low density residential conversion of resource lands and open space.

• The plan must include actionable plans for infrastructure financing and construction.

• The plan must support the County’s economic development strategy and work to retain and create living wage job opportunities.

• The plan must contain long-term agriculture and timber land protections such as increased restrictions on resource land subdivisions and patent parcel development.

• The plan must include unambiguous natural resource protections; especially for open space, water resources, water quality, scenic beauty and salmonids.

• The plan must be practical and actionable.

• The plan must provide a clear statement of County land use values and policies to provide clarity in the County’s permit processing system and to simplify review of projects that are consistent with the General Plan.

Enacting a strong County General Plan is one of the most important ways we can protect Humboldt County's natural treasures for future generations. The County Board of Supervisors must make the tough choices necessary to protect our air, land and water, support affordable housing for our residents and workers and preserve our working farms, forests and ranchlands.

Make your voice heard by writing a letter to the Board of Supervisors or giving public comment at a hearing.