Humboldt County seeks public input for land use around local airports

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM) – Humboldt County is seeking public input as it updates the plan that provides policies and criteria for future proposed developments around local airports.

The Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan impacts the six county run airports, as well as Samoa Field Airport and Shelter Cove Airport.

The draft plan, created by the Airport Land Use Commission, aims to make sure any future expansions do not impact flights in and out of the airports as it analyzes four aspects including noise, safety, air space protection and over flight protection.

After public comments are reviewed and the first draft modifications are made, the commission will analyze environmental regulations with the California Environmental Quality Act.

Then a second draft will be released for another public comment phase before sending it to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors.

The commission is also working on updating County Code 333 which has not been updated since 1955. The code also relates to protection of air spaces around airports.

“It is just setting up the airports for future success,” Humboldt County Director of Aviation Cody Roggatz said, “And for future neighbors and current neighbors on future developments to make sure that what that want to do is fine on both sides.”

Anyone interested in commenting on the draft plan can download it on the county website. The deadline for comment is August 20.

“An important thing to note,” Roggatz said, “Is that the policies and criteria that would change do not apply to development that is already in place around the airports.”