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Planning Commission Requests Broader Notice, Continues U‑Haul Signage Permit to Sept. 4
Summary
Commissioners expressed concern that proposed new signage at a McKinleyville U‑Haul facility would exceed recent sign‑ordinance intent and asked staff to re‑notice the proposal more broadly and ask the applicant to attend; the matter was continued to Sept. 4 to allow staff to prepare findings and solicit wider local input.
The Humboldt County Planning Commission continued consideration of a conditional use permit for expanded signage at a large U‑Haul facility in McKinleyville and asked staff to re‑notice the proposal more broadly and request the applicant’s attendance at the next hearing.
Commissioners described the site as already visually prominent — dozens of vehicles and large orange branding — and questioned whether the eight proposed, large additional signs were necessary or would contravene the recently adopted county sign ordinance. Several commissioners said the ordinance’s public process created a community expectation that the county would not routinely allow exceptions. Commissioner O’Neil said she did not see a reason to deviate from the ordinance given the site’s existing visibility.
County staff advised the master sign plan requires landlord and county approval and that signs exceeding the ordinance would require a conditional use permit; staff suggested the commission could reduce or deny the request by making findings the signage was detrimental to public welfare or visual character. The owner of a neighboring business (Mountain Mike’s) also spoke, asking about easement/consent among property owners in the shopping center and noting business impacts.
Given the range of community interests, the commission voted to continue the item to the Sept. 4 meeting with direction to staff to re‑notice to McKinleyville community groups and local blogs, reach out to the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce, and ask the applicant to attend and provide visualizations. Director Ford recommended staff return with findings and evidence to support a denial if that remained the commission’s intent.
What happens next: staff will expand outreach, invite the applicant and nearby property owners to participate, and return on Sept. 4 with findings and visuals for fuller public review.
