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Supervisors decline to pursue further county analysis of reducing Jacoby Creek minimum parcel sizes
Summary
After staff estimated up to 76 new parcels (~228 potential units) if the Jacoby Creek minimum lot size were reduced, the board voted 3–2 to receive and file the analysis and not pursue further study citing groundwater, septic, flood and community concerns and the estimated $300,000 study cost.
EUREKA, Calif. — The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 on Jan. 27 to receive and file a staff assessment on reducing the Jacoby Creek Community Planning Area's minimum parcel size and to direct staff not to pursue further analysis.
Planning staff had presented a preliminary assessment requested by the board after an appeal seeking a lot split in the Jacoby Creek area. Staff estimated that changing the minimum from 5 acres to 2 acres could create a maximum of 76 new parcels and, assuming full build‑out of primary units plus accessory dwelling units, as many as 228 additional housing units in theory. But staff emphasized that soils and groundwater vary dramatically across the planning area and warned about cumulative impacts of many more septic systems in places with shallow groundwater.
"There are around 72 of these [nonstandard on‑site wastewater] systems in the Jacoby Creek plan area," Mario Carlson, director of environmental health, told the board, calling out the need for hydrogeologic and nitrate loading studies to assess contamination risk. Staff estimated such technical work would cost roughly $300,000 and take about 18 months.
Public commenters urged caution, citing flood risk, creek impacts, old‑growth protection and the need for comprehensive planning rather than piecemeal amendments. After discussion supervisors split 3–2 to receive and file the analysis and to not proceed with the proposed community‑plan amendment or county‑funded studies at this time; staff said it would consult with the applicant and return with options and potential next steps, including the possibility of a general‑plan amendment if pursued later.
The vote stops short of amending the Jacoby Creek plan; it does not affect property owners' existing rights to pursue individual permits for accessory dwelling units or other projects that meet environmental and public‑health requirements.
