BOARD OF SUPS RECOGNIZE STAKEHOLDERS PROGRESS ON THE GENERAL PLAN

Eureka, CA- the Board of Supervisors continued a public discussion on the General Plan. They heard a presentation from an unlikely group that hopes to move the general plan forward.The unlikely group is an organized group of citizens comprised of representatives all with different agendas. They have come together to do what’s best for Humboldt County. Alan Bongio from the Northern California Association of Home Builders added, "I didn't think this group was going to work. There is just no way. 12 years of this it just isn't going to happen."Members from property rights groups to environmental coalitions, all discussing how to move the general plan forward. Hezekiah Allen from the Mattole Restoration Council said, "This is the type of process that I think will make the county stronger and the general plan stronger."However, some citizens argue that Chapter 7, the circulation chapter that covers transportation and infrastructure has been discussed away from the public. However, stakeholders from the Ad Hoc group argue that this is not the case. Allen added, "I certainly recognize the absolute imperative need for public process and this group is not a replacement of that."But something new the stakeholder group has done was simplify the terms used by the planning commission. More often than not these documents can be difficult to read and this group sought to make the general plan more comprehensive to the average citizen.The stakeholders say this is a work in progress. The next public hearing will take place December 17th