Neighbors say they were not notified of Whitehead Walker zone change; staff to review notice procedures

A planning commissioner reported that several neighboring property owners did not receive timely notice of the Whitehead Walker zone-change request and instead learned of the matter only when it reached the Board of Supervisors.

"Neighboring, bordering property owners are not getting notified in a timely manner," Speaker 1 said, describing multiple callers about the Whitehead Walker project in Scott Valley. Speaker 1 said three property owners received notice only when the project was scheduled before the supervisors and that one resident’s mailed notice arrived after the supervisors had already heard the item.

Speaker 1 identified the Whitehead Walker application as a zone change to TPZ (Timber Production Zone) affecting parcels west of Pimentel and wrapping toward Rockside and Hammond. The commissioner said some neighbors did not receive any planning‑commission notice at all.

Staff acknowledged the reports and pledged to verify mailing lists and procedures. Speaker 3 noted the county typically mails notices to property owners within a 300‑foot buffer and said staff would double‑check communications and shared materials. "We send to property owners within the 300 foot buffer. So we'll just double check to make sure everything's shared on their communications," Speaker 2 said.

The commissioner also flagged a public‑notice concern about the cited newspaper: "The Siskiyou Daily News has not been a publication for how long? But it still is ... Not in paper form," Speaker 1 said, noting local recipients may not see notices placed in publications that no longer circulate locally in print.

Staff said they would follow up to ensure adjacent property owners receive timely notice for future hearings and correct any communication gaps discovered in their process.