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Board approves $54,155 amendment and schedule shift for general plan update to ensure a legally defensible EIR
Summary
The board approved a consultant request to add $54,155.50 to the general plan update budget and extend the timeline to mid-2026 so zoning code and the environmental impact report can be completed together. Staff said the change aims to reduce litigation risk by ensuring the EIR and zoning changes are coordinated.
The Trinity County Board of Supervisors approved a contract amendment of $54,155.50 and a schedule extension for the county's general plan update at the Dec. 17 meeting.
CAO Tothill and consultant Jim Harnish told the board that earlier timelines did not leave sufficient time for staff review, public comment cycles and coordination among the general plan, a comprehensive zoning-code rewrite, and the required environmental impact report (EIR). Harnish, the consultant managing the project, submitted a revised budget and schedule after in-person discussions with staff in Weaverville, Tothill said.
Tothill said the amendment is intended to help produce a complete general plan and an EIR that stand up to legal scrutiny. “We need to present to this board documents that are legally defensible, and that opens up the county to the least amount of potential liability,” he said.
The board voted to approve the amendment and the revised schedule. The action authorizes the CAO to sign contract amendments necessary to carry out the direction. The staff report cited a $54,155.50 increase to be drawn from the general plan update fund and a new target to complete the work in mid-2026.
Why it matters: The general plan, implementing zoning code and EIR shape land use and development regulations; the board said the schedule revision aims to ensure thorough review, public engagement and a defensible environmental analysis.
Speakers - CAO Tothill — county administrative officer (presented staff recommendations) - Jim Harnish — general plan consultant (presented the contractor request) - Board members who debated timing and scope
Action (formal) - Kind: motion - Motion: approve proposed general plan budget and schedule amendment and authorize CAO to sign contract amendments (as presented) - Mover: Supervisor (recorded in the transcript as a motion to approve) — motion made and seconded on the record - Vote: Board recorded unanimous approval (ayes from all supervisors present)
Clarifying details - Amendment amount: $54,155.50 from the general plan update fund. - Rationale: additional time and funds for public comment processing, staff review, zoning code update work, and EIR completion to reduce litigation risk.
Provenance: Item presented and voted on at timecoded agenda item e1 in the transcript; details recorded beginning at 00:48:...? (transcript block references available in meeting record).
