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Eureka council directs staff to pursue LCP update, expresses opposition to onshore oil support facilities
Summary
After public comment from environmental groups, the council asked staff to prepare a resolution opposing onshore support facilities for offshore oil drilling and to begin amendments to the city’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) to prohibit such uses within city jurisdiction.
The Eureka City Council on May 5 directed staff to pursue changes to the city’s Local Coastal Program and to bring a resolution opposing onshore support facilities for offshore oil drilling.
City Manager Slattery told the council staff had reviewed a model ordinance from a legal clinic but concluded that prohibiting onshore support facilities through a stand‑alone zoning ordinance would require an LCP amendment because coastal‑dependent industrial zoning currently permits such uses. Slattery said staff recommends an interim resolution stating the city’s opposition and then incorporating prohibitions into the ongoing LCP update and general plan/housing element work.
Environmental groups urged quick action. Matt Simmons, climate attorney at the Environmental Protection Information Center, said the federal push to restart offshore oil drilling is “truly terrifying” and urged the council to act now. Jen Kalt of Humboldt Waterkeeper told the council that onshore support facilities include pipelines, mineral‑processing facilities, refineries and power plants and said local jurisdictions can still prevent such facilities in their jurisdictions by updating land use code and the LCP.
Council members said they supported moving forward. Council member Castellano asked for an expedited timeline; Slattery said staff aims to take proposed LCP amendments to the planning commission this summer and then to the California Coastal Commission for certification. Council member Fernandez and Council member Moulton also expressed support for a resolution and for incorporating protections against offshore mining in the same process.
Slattery said the LCP path creates legal enforceability: once the Coastal Commission certifies LCP changes, those provisions are binding locally. Council members requested staff produce a resolution and begin drafting LCP amendments that clearly define the types of onshore support facilities the city intends to prohibit and assess legal findings required by the Coastal Act.
The council did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting; staff will return with draft language and a recommended schedule for planning commission and Coastal Commission review.
What’s next: staff will prepare a resolution for council consideration, begin LCP drafting with planning staff, and pursue Coastal Commission certification once council direction is finalized.
