Supervisors discuss possible Jake-brake ordinance, sign policy and field questions about cell-tower permits

Humboldt County supervisors discussed two separate planning issues during staff updates: a resident inquiry about a proposed cell tower and public complaints about truck jake brakes.

On cellular facilities, staff said the county has been updating its comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance. "We haven't looked at the ordinance, so I don't know when that'll come through. But the comp plan, we should have any end next week," a staff speaker said after receiving a site inquiry for Lake Township, Section 1. Staff said no permit had yet been issued for the location and that questions were only being fielded at the inquiry stage.

Supervisors also debated whether to adopt a countywide jake-brake ordinance to give deputies the authority to ticket the behavior. One supervisor noted that without an ordinance "Krueger can't write a ticket for it," adding that signage alone tends to be "feel-good signs" unless backed by an ordinance. A common county approach described in the meeting is to require a landowner to pay for and maintain a requested nonstandard sign (for example, slow-child or similar signs) if the county installs it. The board agreed to "look at installing one by Peterson's for the time being" while considering whether to draft an enforceable ordinance and run it through hearings.

Why it matters: the cell-tower discussion ties to the county's ongoing plan and zoning updates; the jake-brake topic reflects noise and nuisance concerns from residents and whether the county wants enforceable rules or to rely on signage and enforcement by state/local police.

Next steps: staff to continue fielding the tower inquiry and to include the jake-brake topic for further discussion next week; the board installed (or will install) a local sign at Peterson's as an interim measure.