LoCOBot / Friday, Aug. 14 @ 4:10 p.m. / Agendizer
Humboldt County Planning Commission
Aug. 20, 2026, 6 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER / SALUTE TO FLAG
B. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
C. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
D. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Belcastro Special Permit Assessor Parcel Number: 509-141-019 Record Number
2. Shepp-Cruz Family Farm, LLC, Conditional Use Permit Assessor Parcel Numbers (APN) 108-023-010-000 Record No.
The Shepp-Cruz Family Farm is applying for a permit to grow cannabis on their property in Humboldt County. The project includes outdoor cultivation, irrigation from a well, solar power, and two seasonal employees. The project has been reviewed for environmental impact and consulted with local tribes. The Planning Commission is being recommended to approve the permit with certain conditions. If approved, the project will comply with county regulations and will not have negative impacts on the environment.
— LoCOBot
As the sun set on the Shepp-Cruz Family Farm in the Whitethorn area, a sense of unease settled over the land. The once peaceful property, now home to a lucrative cannabis cultivation operation, was about to become the setting for a horror story unlike any other.
Belkis Shepp, the owner of the farm, had eagerly pursued the opportunity to expand her business by obtaining a Conditional Use Permit for outdoor cultivation. Little did she know that her decision would unleash a series of events that would terrorize her and her family for years to come.
As the first harvest using light deprivation techniques began, strange occurrences plagued the farm. Unexplained shadows flickered across the fields at night, and eerie whispers could be heard drifting through the air. The seasonal employees Belkis had hired reported feeling a sense of dread that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.
But it wasn’t just the living who were affected by the dark energy that now surrounded the farm. The wildlife in the area began to behave erratically, with reports of animals exhibiting aggressive and unnatural behavior. The Class II and Class III watercourses on the property, once teeming with life, now seemed eerily still and silent.
As the months went by, Belkis and her family found themselves haunted by vivid nightmares and unshakable feelings of paranoia. The once thriving farm began to wither and decay, as if some malevolent force was draining the life from the land itself.
Desperate for answers, Belkis reached out to the local authorities and environmental agencies for help. But their investigations turned up nothing, leaving her feeling more isolated and helpless than ever.
With each passing day, the darkness on the Shepp-Cruz Family Farm grew stronger, until it seemed as though there was no escape from the horror that had taken root in the very soil itself. And as the last remnants of light faded from the sky, Belkis and her family realized with mounting horror that they were not alone on the farm - and that whatever had been unleashed by the cultivation operation was far more terrifying than they could have ever imagined.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution • Attachment 1A - Conditions of Approval • Attachment 1B - Cultivation and Operations Plan • Attachment 1C - Site Plan • Attachment 2 - Location Map Set • Attachment 3 - 12034 CEQA Addendum • Attachment 4A - Shepp-Curz Family Farm 3 Acre Conversion • Attachment 4B - Shepp-Curz Family Farm Road Evaluation 06.23.2020 • Attachment 4C - 12034 Well Completion Report 04.12.21 • Attachment 5 - Referral Agency Comments and Recommendations • Attachment 5A - CDFW Referral Response PLN-12034 • Attachment 5B - Public Works Referral Response • Attachment 5C - Div of Water Rights Referral Response
3. Crandal Conditional Use Permit Assessor Parcel Number: 400-112-007 Record Number
The County of Humboldt is considering a Conditional Use Permit for a short-term rental in the Manila area. The rental is located within a Tsunami Hazard Zone and the project site has three single-family residences, with one proposed to be used as a rental. The Planning Commission is recommended to approve the permit with specified conditions. The project was found exempt from environmental review and has no significant impacts on biological, cultural, or hazard resources. Noise levels and evacuation protocols are also addressed in the permit. The permit holder is responsible for adhering to safety measures and protocols in case of a tsunami warning. The applicant is Clayton Crandal and any questions can be directed to Alice Vasterling.
— LoCOBot
En el condado de Humboldt
una reunión se llevará a cabo
el veinte de agosto del veintiséis
la Comisión de Planificación llegará.
El tema a tratar ese día
es el Permiso de Uso Condicional
para una residencia de alquiler
en Manila, un lugar especial.
El número de parcela es 400-112-007
bajo el expediente PLN-2026-19525
y se requiere la aprobación
de la Comisión de Planificación.
La casa está ubicada
en la Zona de Peligro de Tsunami
y se necesita un permiso
para usarla como alquiler vacacional.
Se han realizado las investigaciones
y se han tomado todas las medidas
para garantizar la seguridad
de aquellos que se hospeden.
El agua y el alcantarillado
son proporcionados por el distrito comunitario
y se ha establecido
un plan de evacuación necesario.
La parcela se encuentra
en una zona de riesgo moderado
pero con medidas apropiadas
se garantiza un lugar seguro.
El permiso solicitado
cumple con todos los requisitos
y se recomienda su aprobación
por parte de la Comisión de Planificación.
Que se apruebe este proyecto
para el bien de la comunidad
Crandal espera su aprobación
¡Estamos listos para su implementación!
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution • Attachment 1A - Conditions of Approval • Attachment 1B - Site Plan and evacuation route • Attachment 2 - Location Map • Attachment 3 - Tsunami Hazard Area • Attachment 4 - Referral Agency Comments and Recommendations
F. ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Hollingshead Conditional Use Permit Assessor Parcel Numbers (APN) 206-251-028 Record No.
The Planning Commission will be discussing a Conditional Use Permit for a firewood cutting business and handyman services in the Carlotta Area. The business will be operated by the owner with no on-site employees and will comply with environmental regulations. The project location, zoning, and potential noise concerns are all outlined in the document. The staff recommends approving the permit with certain conditions.
— LoCOBot
In the picturesque County of Humboldt, nestled in the quaint town of Carlotta, a romance is about to bloom amidst the sound of chainsaws and the scent of freshly cut firewood. Harlan Hollingshead, a rugged and hardworking man, has applied for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a firewood cutting business alongside handyman services on his property at 7586 State Highway 36.
Harlan, a man of few words but with a heart of gold, is the sole proprietor of his business. He spends long days working with wood splitters and chainsaws, crafting and creating with his hands the most beautiful firewood that Carlotta has ever seen. His dedication to his craft is palpable, and the town admires him for his skill and determination.
Enter the newest resident of Carlotta, a young and vibrant woman named Eliza. Eliza has moved to the town to start afresh, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city for a simpler way of life. Little does she know that her path is about to intersect with Harlan’s in the most unexpected way.
As Eliza settles into her new home, she becomes curious about the man who runs the firewood cutting business down the road. Intrigued by the mystery surrounding him, she decides to pay him a visit one sunny afternoon. What she finds is a man unlike any other - rough around the edges yet gentle in his demeanor, with calloused hands that tell the story of hard work and perseverance.
As Eliza and Harlan’s paths continue to cross, they find themselves drawn to each other in a way neither of them can explain. Despite their differences, they discover a deep connection that transcends their individual worlds. With each passing day, their bond grows stronger, fueled by shared laughter, quiet moments, and the undeniable spark that ignites between them.
But as their feelings deepen, they must navigate the challenges that come with their budding romance. From navigating the ups and downs of small-town gossip to finding a way to balance their individual dreams and desires, Eliza and Harlan must confront their fears and insecurities to build a future together.
Through it all, the sound of chainsaws and the smell of fresh firewood serve as the backdrop to their love story, a reminder of the bond that brought them together in the first place. In the County of Humboldt, where the stars shine bright and the forests whisper secrets, two hearts find solace in each other’s arms, forging a love that is as enduring as the trees that surround them.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution • Attachment 1A - Conditions of Approval • Attachment 1B - Plan of Operations • Attachment 1C - Site Plan and location Map • Attachment 2 - Decibel Readings and Locations • Attachment 3 - Referral Agency Comments and Recommendations
H. WORKSHOP
1. A Public Workshop on the Draft Inland Low-Impact Camping Area Ordinance to allow small-scale low-impact camping on private rural lands. The ordinance has been written to be in line with minimum requirements of Assembly Bill 518. Assessor Parcel Numbers: (APN) 000-000-000 Record No.: LRP-2025-19172 Unincorporated areas of Humboldt County.
The County of Humboldt is holding a public workshop on a new ordinance that would allow small-scale camping on private rural lands. This ordinance is in line with a new state law, Assembly Bill 518. The purpose of this new law and ordinance is to increase camping options, reduce crowded campgrounds, and boost the outdoor recreation economy. The Planning Commission is gathering feedback from the public on this ordinance before finalizing it. Updates have been made based on previous feedback, and agencies involved support the proposed ordinance.
— LoCOBot
Title: Finding Solitude in the Wilderness
In the rural county of Humboldt, a new opportunity was on the horizon for those seeking a connection with nature. As the Planning Commission gathered for a workshop on the Draft Inland Low-Impact Camping Area Ordinance, the community braced itself for potential changes to their beloved landscape.
Amelia, a young woman who had grown up surrounded by the redwood forests and babbling creeks of Humboldt County, found herself at the forefront of this new development. Having always felt a deep connection to the land and a desire to share its beauty with others, Amelia was eager to learn more about the proposed ordinance.
As the workshop began, Amelia listened intently to the discussions about the minimum requirements of Assembly Bill 518 and the potential impact of allowing small-scale low-impact camping on private rural lands. She felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension, unsure of how this new legislation would affect the land she loved.
As public comments were shared, Amelia couldn’t help but feel a sense of responsibility weighing on her shoulders. She understood the importance of balancing conservation efforts with the need for access to outdoor recreation, but she also feared the potential consequences of increased human presence in the wilderness.
Over the course of the workshop, Amelia found herself engaged in passionate discussions with her fellow community members. Together, they debated the merits of the draft ordinance and offered suggestions for amendments that would better protect the environment while still allowing for responsible camping practices.
As the workshop came to a close, the Planning Commission thanked the attendees for their valuable input and feedback. They expressed their gratitude for the thoughtful discussions that had taken place and assured the community that their voices had been heard.
In the weeks that followed, Amelia continued to advocate for the preservation of Humboldt County’s natural beauty. She worked tirelessly to ensure that the final ordinance would strike a balance between conservation and recreation, allowing future generations to experience the wonders of the wilderness.
Through her involvement in the drafting process, Amelia discovered a newfound sense of purpose and direction. She realized that her love for the land could be channeled into meaningful action, and that by standing up for what she believed in, she could make a difference in her community.
And so, as the ordinance was finalized and implemented, Amelia felt a profound sense of satisfaction. She knew that the future of Humboldt County was in good hands, and that the spirit of the wilderness would continue to thrive for years to come.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • Attachment 1 - Draft Inland LICA Ordinance • Attachment 2 - AB 518 Bill Text • Attachment 3 - HCD Information Bulletin
I. REPORT FROM PLANNER
J. PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION
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