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Humboldt County sets rules and larger venue ahead of contentious wind-ordinance hearing
Summary
With a heavily attended hearing expected, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors moved the wind-ordinance proceedings to a larger room, set a two-minute public-comment limit and required sign-ups and printed rules to keep testimony orderly as the board considers setbacks, heights and decibel limits.
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Monday set procedural rules and moved next Tuesday's wind-ordinance readings to a larger venue to manage an expected large turnout.
At a regular meeting, the board agreed to open each ordinance item for a two-minute public comment period, require sign-ups at a table by the door and distribute printed meeting rules so speakers know the time limit and consequences for interruptions. The board discussed using the courtroom for space and having deputies present if needed to maintain order. "If it does get out of hand, then people should be asked to leave," a committee member said during the discussion.
Public commenter Mark Clark urged the board to reject the draft ordinance referred to in the meeting as "Oregon 77" and to replace it with rules that would allow local wind development. "This could be one of the most important decisions to make for the future of the county," Clark said, adding that two local wind developers could bring revenue to private landowners and county services including schools and the hospital.
Board members said the hearings will focus on technical elements such as turbine heights, setback distances and permitted noise levels; one board member noted the draft uses a 600-foot setback and asked whether the board would be asked to consider alternatives such as 400 feet or other counties' standards. The board emphasized that any changes made between readings would have to be republished and may require additional hearings, but that the board can take public comment on the first reading and then deliberate between the second and third readings.
County staff recommended following the public-engagement procedure used by the planning and zoning group: open a public-comment window per agenda item, allow two minutes per speaker, close the comment period for that item if no one seeks to speak, and then proceed to the next item. "I would recommend following the same procedure," the presenter said.
The board's procedural decisions aim to balance broad public participation with an orderly meeting so officials can hear technical feedback on the ordinance's setbacks, heights and noise limits before making any final amendments or votes.
