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Planning commission debates decoupling zoning code from general plan, plans extended study sessions
Summary
The Trinity County Planning Commission discussed decoupling the zoning code rewrite from the general plan and EIR, outlined a tentative schedule for multiple study sessions and public review, and asked staff for clearer numbering and public materials to streamline future review.
The Trinity County Planning Commission on May 28 weighed whether to decouple the county's zoning code rewrite from the concurrent general plan and EIR process, and sketched a tentative timetable for additional study sessions and public review.
Commissioners and staff said the decision to separate (or "decouple") the zoning code from the general plan/EIR would give the commission more time to scrutinize the complex zoning rewrite. Staff outlined a tentative schedule that includes release of the public review draft of the EIR in early July, a public review period roughly between July 13 and Aug. 17, and up to five in-person study sessions for the commission (about 50 hours total) to be scheduled between June and August. Staff said the goal is to produce a revised public review draft by September and hold a further study session in October.
"It's many pages to review," a commissioner said, urging careful pacing; staff responded that decoupling would create scheduling flexibility and allow more detailed work on zoning sections. Commissioners requested that sections of the zoning code be numbered sequentially so edits and follow-up items are easier to track.
Staff also said the consultants will generally be available by Zoom for study sessions and that the county may need flexible noticing to avoid repeated continuations. On the timeline, staff advised that the decoupling and additional study sessions could add roughly six months to the overall schedule, primarily to allow time for public review and commissioner/staff preparation.
The commission asked for clarity about whether the study sessions would use the same draft presented to the board or an amended draft. Staff said that is not finalized and that the board will provide direction at its June 16 meeting; after that the county will finalize noticing and scheduling.
Next steps: staff will present the board's direction after the June 16 board meeting, publish the EIR public review draft as scheduled, and coordinate study session notices and consultant participation. The commission discussed preferred meeting days and said staff should attempt to accommodate commissioner availability when scheduling special sessions.
