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Publicly owned facilities serve present and anticipated needs of a community and consequently play a major role in determining future growth and development patterns. The California Legislature has clearly established the General Plan to be the source of policy guiding public facility and land use decisions (Government Code Section 65030.1 and 65400(d)). State law also requires that public facilities be well integrated with land use, circulation, open space, and other General Plan elements [Government Code Section 65302 (a), (b), and (e)]. By integrating those plan elements, the General Plan becomes a consolidated source of development policies.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide guidance for the provision of public services, while maximizing consistency with land use and other applicable General Plan policies. Included in this chapter is a discussion of essential public services and a set of goals, policies and implementation measures to guide their provision. The services discussed include circulation (streets and highways, parking, public transportation, railroad, bicycle facilities, airports, waterways and pipelines), trails, parks and recreation, public water and wastewater facilities, solid waste disposal, fire protection, education, and county government facilities. Some of the above services have been addressed in detailed facility plans such as the Solid Waste Management Plan, the Recreation Element, and the Trails Plan. Consequently, the goals, policies, and implementation programs of these plans have been summarized and referenced in this General Plan. This will aid in the consolidation of pertinent policies that affect the overall development of the County.
Circulation became a mandated component of the General Plan beginning in 1955. The purpose is to address the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, and other local public utilities and facilities. State law requires Circulation to be correlated with Land Use in the General Plan [Government Code Section 65302(b)].
Since the Circulation component was first required in 1955, transportation technology and needs have changed greatly, with the emphasis today on the development of a balanced, multi-modal transportation system. The rising costs of fuel and hence, the rising cost of travel, suggest a transportation system that must include modes of travel other than the automobile. In this respect, transportation planning must not only be correlated with planned land uses, but also with the needs of various segments of the population. Because of Humboldt County's large land area, with a great deal of sparsely populated rural areas, transportation costs make up an inordinately high proportion of the amount of money leaving the County for energy. To help make the county's economy more sound, energy conservation in transportation should be stressed. Ride sharing, greater use of public transit, and use of bicycles for commuting should be encouraged where feasible. The following discussion is provided to describe the numerous modes of transporting goods and people in Humboldt County.
The roads, streets and highways form the most significant element of transportation in Humboldt County. With the exception of a small amount of air passenger service, all people use this system for transportation. The roads have also played a growing importance in the movement of freight. The County is served with a variety of roads from freeways (U.S. 101) to dirt logging roads. Collectively, these roads provide a complete network with access to virtually all areas of the County where access is presently necessary. Few new roads are expected to be needed, except in urbanizing areas. The following table summarizes the road mileage under the various public administrations.
MILEAGE OF ROADS BY JURISDICTION
TOTAL
STATE
COUNTY
CITY
STATE
(not highways)
FEDERAL
2638
336
1199
237
119
737
Source: California Statistical Abstract, 1980
The amount of parking required by a given land use is dependent upon many factors, such as family composition patterns, and land use intensity and location. For example, more than one parking space per dwelling unit may be needed for developments which have families with teenage children or for which there are apartments shared by unrelated adults. And, less than one- to-one ratio may be needed in housing for the elderly, where public transit is provided.
In Humboldt County, parking has become a circulation problem in many locations. This is primarily due to the zoning ordinance provisions for parking which are 17 years old, and the conditional use permit process. Since the adoption of the ordinance requirements for parking, per capita number of licensed vehicles has risen 20 percent. Consequently, the increase in vehicles resulted in an increased demand for parking spaces. Another factor leading to parking problem concerns the relation between land use changes and population density. Generally, a land use change intensifies traffic problems, including insufficient on-street parking. This type of land use change has created problems in areas along Harrison Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, and in various areas around McKinleyville, Garberville, and Redway.
Demand for parking near activity centers could be reduced if more people would ride public transit or bicycles. Reserving preferred parking spaces near congested areas for cars involved in ride sharing programs could be a strong inducement for car pooling.
Public transportation is a relatively new service in Humboldt County. Bus transportation, for example, was reintroduced to the County during the mid- 1970's. Around the same time, the Humboldt County Association of Governments and the state were preparing plans for the development of bus transportation. State sales tax revenues were allocated to each city and county for transportation purposes. The City of Eureka was the first to initiate service, followed by Arcata. In addition, a publicly supported intercity service between Trinidad and Scotia is operated by the Humboldt Transit Authority. Since their inception, all three systems have proved successful and have increased ridership.
In addition to regularly scheduled bus service traveling along predetermined routes, many other forms of service have been or are emerging. These are commonly termed, paratransit, and can include taxicabs, mini-buses that transport specific groups, volunteer drivers for elderly and handicapped, and mini-buses that provide city-wide service on flexible schedules and routes. The paratransit options have opened many more possibilities to provide transportation services that can be tailored to meet the needs of a city, an area, or a specific group of people.
Northwestern Pacific (NWP), a subsidiary of Southern Pacific, is the only rail service into and out of Humboldt County. Only freight service is available. Passenger service was offered between Eureka and San Francisco but was discontinued in the early 1970's. NWP's main line extends from the Humboldt Bay area to its connection with Southern Pacific at Schellville in Sonoma County, a distance of about 252 miles. Within Humboldt County there are 108 miles of NWP track, crossing the county from Korbel to the Trinity County border near Alderpoint. Presently there are approximately 6,500 carloads of freight being shipped from Humboldt County annually (1980 estimate) a significant decrease from the 20,000 carloads shipped in 1977. Reductions in rail freight traffic reflect general economic conditions and rail service to points south remains a critical portion of the overall transportation system because of the geographic isolation and minimal number of major circulation routes. Economic growth and harbor development are dependent in large part on other transportation facilities, notably the railroad which provides a vital service as a heavy freight carrier. The suitability of much of the land designated for industrial development relies on the availability of public works and facilities including the railroad and private spurs.
Other rail service provided in Humboldt County is by the Arcata and Mad River Railroad. This railroad is a subsidiary of Simpson Timber Company, which provides freight service only from the Simpson Mill at Korbel to its connection with NWP. The distance of the rail service is 7-1/2 miles.
Bicyclists can use all state, county and city roads. Bicycle route signs have been placed on the State's Bikecentennial Route. The cities of Eureka, Arcata, and Fortuna all have adopted bicycle master plans. The City of Arcata has two signed routes and has plans for protected bike routes. In addition, Arcata and Humboldt County are developing a bike path along the Mad River railroad in McKinleyville. McKinleyville has two painted bike lanes along Central Avenue. Humboldt State University has installed 300 new bike racks with locking facilities. These are to be funded by the California Department of Transportation. The City of Eureka has adopted a bicycle plan and is seeking funds for implementation. Humboldt County has developed a countywide bicycle plan that proposes to connect the cities, towns and colleges and provide safe access to local, regional, State and Federal Parks. Bicycles should be considered as a viable transportation option for commuting in Humboldt County.
Airports are defined as either air carrier, general aviation or military. The Arcata-Eureka Airport in McKinleyville is the County's designated air carrier airport. There are no military airfields in the County; however, the Coast Guard uses the Arcata-Eureka Airport for search and rescue operations and the California Department of Forestry uses the Rohnerville Airport as the Air Attack Base for wildland fire suppression aircraft.
County Airports used for general aviation are at the following locations: Arcata-Eureka (McKinleyville), Dinsmore, Garberville, Hoopa, Willow Creek, Kneeland, Murray Field and Rohnerville. In addition to normal recreation and business use, these airports provide landing facilities for emergencies such as floods, forest fires, and medical evacuations.
Humboldt Bay has served as a major port on the Northern California Coast for the past 100 years. Commercial shipping activities located in the Bay are an important contributor to the local economy and serve the forest products industry of Northern California. Humboldt Bay is the only California port north of San Francisco with sufficient depth to admit large ocean freighters and tankers. The docks around the Bay are used primarily for the exporting of forest products, importing of chemicals for processing wood pulp and of petroleum products. Manufacturing, processing and wholesaling establishments located in Eureka, Arcata and on the Samoa Peninsula are dependent on these shipping activities to a great extent.
Commercial fishing is the second most important user of the Bay's shoreline. Over three percent of California's fish and shellfish catch is landed at Eureka and Fields Landing. In addition, seafood is shipped to Eureka for processing from other ports. The receiving, processing and wholesaling establishments employ large numbers of local residents.
The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District was established by the electorate of Humboldt County on April 17, 1973 in order to effectively implement, supervise and regulate the construction and development of Humboldt Bay. The District is empowered by State statutes to develop Humboldt Bay to its ultimate potential as a harbor and port while conserving the natural resources of the area. Since its inception, the Harbor District has actively pursued a number of projects ranging from simply paving and improving the boat launching ramp and jetty at Shelter Cove to aspiring to have Humboldt Bay designated as an official foreign trade zone.
4217 PipelinesNatural gas is supplied to Humboldt County by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The majority of the natural gas used in Humboldt County is piped into the county by a 12-inch mainline from the Central Valley. The remainder of the natural gas used is supplied by Humboldt County's natural gas fields located south of Eureka.
Petroleum distribution lines located on Humboldt Bay serve to transfer petroleum products from the barges or ships to the various oil company storage tanks. The petroleum distribution lines and the oil company storage tanks located near Humboldt Bay are considered by the petroleum companies to be adequate to handle the future needs of the County and there are no known plans for expansions.
To develop, operate and maintain a well-coordinated, balanced, circulation system that is safe, efficient and provides good access to all cities, communities, neighborhoods, recreational facilities and adjoining regions.
4232 Ports 1. Humboldt County supports the construction of a depressed freeway Route 101 through Eureka. If continued development along the proposed route renders it physically or economically infeasible, Humboldt County would support construction along an alternate route. 2. Humboldt County supports improvements and maintenance of public access roads to natural resource areas designated for timber production, agriculture and mining.
3. Significant increases in traffic volumes and turning movements on and off a major expressway/freeway at high volume at grade intersections should be discouraged.
4. Humboldt County supports the need for additional State revenue from sources such as State Gas Tax for the maintenance and reconstruction of County roads that carry heavy commercial truck traffic.
5. Humboldt County shall take action to support the increase of gas tax revenues to a level adequate for local street and road maintenance.
6. Humboldt County recognizes that the era of abundant and inexpensive energy has ended. Energy considerations must become a critical element in all policy decisions involving the selection and use of transportation systems.
7. The County Planning Commission shall review all proposed abandonments of maintenance on County roads for conformance with the County General Plan before they are approved.
8. Encourage the development of a road system that supports an orderly pattern of land use through:
A. Using minor collector roads to provide access to higher density residential areas, local commercial facilities, neighborhood parks and schools. B. Locating lower density residential areas with frontage onto arterial or major collector roads away from through-traffic unless sufficient mitigation measures are used.
C. Locating retail, service and industrial facilities, community centers, major recreational facilities, employment centers, and other intensive land uses near major collector, or arterial roads.
D. Improving roads to accommodate land uses served by an inappropriate road classification.
4233 Rail 1. The deepening of the ship channels in Humboldt Bay beyond a depth of 35 feet may be justified. Humboldt County supports continued maintenance of the channels to provide access to existing and planned port facilities. 2. Humboldt County supports the improvement and modernization of commercial fishing facilities in Humboldt County. The cities of Eureka and Trinidad, Humboldt County and Humboldt Bay Harbor District should actively and cooperatively seek to encourage private investment into commercial facilities and, where necessary, invest public funds into rehabilitation, upgrading and expanding boat marinas and public piers.
3. Several public agencies are responsible for the improvement of waterfront facilities on Humboldt Bay. Their efforts should be coordinated so that the public investment is effectively applied to support the commercial fishing industry and other public uses. The Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District should take the lead role in coordinating this development.
4. Local business groups should be encouraged to work with local government to encourage private investment into facilities such as:
Boat building and repair facilities; Fleet service facilities; and
Fish processing facilities.
2. The County supports the modernization of freight rail services. 1. The railroad system connecting to points south shall be maintained and operated to support the County's economic development and maintain the diversification of the County circulation network. 4234 Airports 3. Humboldt County supports efforts to have the Northwestern Pacific Rail Line included in the California State Rail Plan as a project designated eligible to receive Federal funds for rehabilitation and new facility construction. 4. Humboldt County supports State and Federal programs that would provide funding for railroad crossing protection devices.
4235 Drainage 1. Humboldt County should regularly update and maintain the Airport Master Plan as the primary County policy document for airport development. 2. Humboldt County shall establish land use controls around airports as recommended by the Airports Master Plan through the Airport Land Use Commission.
3. Humboldt County supports efforts to expand commercial airline service to the area.
4236 Transmission and Pipelines 1. Drainage needs of each community shall be studied as part of each community plan. 2. Natural drainage ways shall be utilized where possible to convey drainage flows consistent with streamside management policies in the General Plan.
3. Drainage facilities shall be capable of passing a 10 year intensity storm without static head at entrance and passing a 100 year intensity storm without major damage. (Res. 85-81, 8/20/85)
4237 Planning Process 1. The siting of electric transmission lines should avoid recreational and tourist oriented resources to the greatest extent possible, taking into account the design and size of the transmission towers, the nature of the landscape, and the placement of the transmission towers in the landscape. 2. Extension of services, such as sewer, water, and roads should avoid traversing agricultural lands. Where such infrastructure must cross agricultural lands, they should be located in public right-of-way and provide a level of service consistent with the development density reflected in the Land Use Plan.
8. Community Plans shall include a Circulation Plan which: 1. Transportation decisions in urban and rural areas should be based on a comprehensive planning approach that considers at a minimum existing land uses and future land development as proposed in adopted County plans and plans of other governmental agencies. 2. Decisions to change or expand the land use of a particular area should include an analysis of the impacts to existing and/or proposed transportation facilities and services so as to minimize or avoid serious operational or economic consequences.
3. Land use plans and policies shall be the basis for transportation facilities development.
4. Transportation systems in Humboldt County and those which link the County with other areas of the State are to be coordinated and integrated so that a full range of travel patterns can be supported.
5. The Circulation corridor requirements shall be consistent with expected traffic volumes. A. Existing and future public transit services are to be coordinated so that service from rural areas is effectively integrated with urban service. Schedules should be designed for a smooth transfer between rural and urban buses. Fares should be integrated so that a person pays only once for the full trip. Convenience facilities should be made available so that transfer areas are protected from the weather and bus information is provided. B. Automobile and bicycle transport are to be integrated with public transit by developing adequate parking facilities at major bus stops and, where feasible, transporting bicycles on the buses along the intercity bus routes.
C. Multi-family housing shall be encouraged in areas serviced by public transit where consistent with other sections of the plan.
6. County roads identified by the Public Facilities Plan Maps require improvements and roadway dedications as conditions of development as specified by Minimum Corridor Standards (see the standards 4240).
7. New development shall only be approved which will not significantly create or aggravate safety, capacity or parking problems on County roads.
8. Road Classification - Minimum Corridor Standards 9. All circulation planning shall be based on the County's very limited ability to construct new projects. To the maximum extent feasible, necessary circulation routes and facilities shall be obtained as a condition of approval for land development projects. A. Establishes future locations of major roadways. B Minimizes dead end roads.
C. Sets requirements clearly connecting future land use developments with the provision of an adequate circulation system.
D. Considers designation of parking districts where in-lieu fees may be collected for a specified parking area.
10. Access to public transit, bicycle parking and carpool parking should all be considered in circulation planning.
1. The Rural Principal Arterial system consists of a connected rural network of continuous routes which have trip length and travel density characteristics indicative of substantial statewide or interstate travel.
2. The Rural Minor Arterial road system, in conjunction with the rural principal arterial system, links cities and towns above 5,000 in population and other major traffic generators, and forms an integrated network providing interstate and intercounty service.
3. Rural Connectors provide connections between the higher order system and have low-volume/long trip length characteristics.
4. The Rural Collector routes generally serve travel or primarily regional importance rather than statewide importance and constitute those routes on which (regardless of traffic volume) predominant travel distances are shorter than on arterial routes. The collector road system is subclassified into two categories:
5. The Rural Local Road system serves primarily to provide access to adjacent land and accommodate travel over relatively short distances as compared to higher systems. (Not shown individually on circulation map.) a. Major Collectors are spaced at intervals, consistent with population density, to collect traffic from local roads and bring all developed areas within a reasonable distance of a collector road. b. Minor Collectors are spaced at intervals, consistent with population density, to collect traffic from local roads and bring all developed areas within a reasonable distance of a collector road.
6. Urban Principal Arterials in conjunction with Rural Principal Arterials, provide the highest level of conventional street service to virtually all area traffic generators.
7. Ten Year Flood: a ten year flood means a flood which can reasonably be expected to occur once every ten years.
Classification County Minimum Roadway Design Category Rural Principal Arterial State Highway Rural Minor Arterial State Highway Rural Connector State Highway Major Rural Collector 5 Minor Rural Collector 4 Urban Principal Arterial 6 Minor Urban Collector 5 Minor Urban Arterial 6 4300 TRAILS * Refers to Roadway Categories and Standards contained in Appendix 4-1 of the County Subdivision Ordinance. In 1979, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Humboldt County Trails Plan, in response to the growing popularity of bicycling, horseback riding, jogging, and hiking. A basic conclusion drawn from public meetings and agency input on the trails program indicated that a safe and efficient network of trails for bicyclists, equestrians, and hikers is needed in the County and that it would be used.
The development of transportation and recreation trails is part of the overall long range goal of achieving a coordinated and balanced transport system. Walking and bicycling can provide a major means of daily transportation, especially when combined with bus service. For many people, walking and bicycling is the sole means of transport. By designing and maintaining a trails network linking county communities and public lands, an economical and healthful form of transportation and recreation is encouraged.
Construction of trails, whether in urbanized communities or rural areas, must be done with sensitivity to the surrounding environment. Basic land use patterns and terrain suitability will generally determine the most appropriate areas for trails routing. In a very general sense, routing considerations indicate that the coastal terrace lands from Trinidad to Rio Dell are best suited to the development of trail routes of County significance. Major land activities in the mid-Humboldt region include farming and ranching, recreation, urban and rural settlement, with forest- timber production lands defining the general fringe of suitable trail areas. Lands in public ownership and certain areas in other parts of the County are also suitable for trail establishment, particularly for hiking and equestrian routes.
The eventual establishment of a functional trails program in Humboldt County will come as a result of public need and comprehensive planning which takes into account environmental and various financial considerations, land uses, and property owner concerns. Given proper planning and design, trails may be established to serve the public need for years to come.
The essential elements of the trails plan have been summarized and included in the following goals, policies, standards and implementation programs of the General Plan.
4311 POLICIES 1. To provide guidelines for establishing a safe, efficient, and enjoyable County trails program for the transportation and recreation needs of bicyclists, equestrians, hikers, and joggers. 2. To increase participation in bicycling, horseback riding, and hiking activities which can provide physical, social, environmental, and economic benefits for County residents and tourists.
4312 STANDARDS 1. Develop an accessible trails network as shown on trails map which includes trails within and between communities, parks and other publicly owned lands. 2. Provide safe bicycle and pedestrian trails to schools, when it is determined that inadequate access exists.
3. Encourage development of trails with varying lengths and difficulty through diverse terrain, scenery, and points of attraction.
4. Blend trails into the natural environment to reduce environmental disruption.
5. Place priority of bicycle route maintenance on routes that are most heavily used.
6. Encourage the provision of secure, weather protected bicycle storage facilities at bus stops, businesses, and public buildings as needed.
7. Encourage appropriate buses to be equipped with bicycle transport racks.
8. Encourage development of access and, where suitable, camping areas into existing and future recreation areas.
9. Encourage the placement of landscaping along horsetrails located adjacent to roadways to serve as safety and/or visual screens between trail and vehicle lanes.
- Purchase of fee title, option to purchase agreements 1. Capital improvement programs should determine specific project expenses reflective of available finances and volunteer resources. 2. Maintenance of trails includes, but is not limited to, drainage grate modification, pothole repair, and bicycle path sweeping.
3. Education and associated law enforcement programs should be used through use of media, brochures, and/or public presentations.
4. Enforcement of rules pertaining to trails is to be accomplished through contact with the California Highway Patrol, County Sheriff and recognized volunteer trail patrol groups.
5. Trail system coordination is to be accomplished through contact with cities, Caltrans, and other appropriate agencies.
6. Notwithstanding policies of Coastal Elements, the following methods may be utilized for trail right of way acquisitions; where trails cross private lands:
- Bargain sales (part sale and part charitable contribution)
- Outright donation (fee simple)
- Donation with a reserved life estate or undivided land interest
- Bequests
- Donation or purchase of easement
- Lease and/or sale and leaseback
4400 COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION 7. In the review of accessways to trails, the approving authority shall find that: - Various parkland dedication ordinance provisions of the State Subdivision Map Act - Various provisions of the California State Subdivision Map Act as in Articles 3 and 4, Chapter 4, or other relevant provisions
- Eminent Domain may be used as a last resort when all other acquisition methods have proved unsuccessful. The County should not use proceedings of eminent domain in the acquisition of property for trail purposes, where those properties are managed primarily for agricultural or timber production, except for purposes of widening County roads.
A. The proposed mode of access and the location of such access shall be consistent with adjacent uses and shall not have an adverse impact on adjacent owners' use of their property and shall be consistent with the intensity of development; and B. The likelihood of trespass and vandalism on adjacent private property has been minimized through the location of, and the level of improvements required, for the use of the accessway; and
C. The need to provide for public health and safety has been evaluated for:
D. Adequate access is not available nearby; and 1. parking 2. road capacity and traffic patterns
3. conflicts in uses (i.e. pedestrian, equestrian, vehicular)
4. use by the handicapped
5. capacity of sanitary facilities including trash disposal
6. topography of trail (too steep);
E. There is no significant conflict with agriculture including:
F. The development and use of the accessways shall be consistent with the environmental limitations as shown on the Biological Resources Maps. 1. vandalism, 2. theft of livestock, agricultural supplies and tools,
3. damage to crops and livestock,
4. trespass on areas not part of accessway,
5. damage to fencing and gates,
6. livestock depredation,
7. litter,
8. interference with agricultural operations; and
Opportunities for outdoor and community based recreation in Humboldt County are important ingredients to the quality of life enjoyed by County residents. Humboldt County park facilities, though used primarily by County residents, also provide valuable recreational opportunities for visitors from outside the County. (Refer to Map 2-1). In order to maximize the use of the County's recreational facilities, accessibility to a wide segment of the population must be ensured. In ensuring accessibility to recreational facilities and opportunities, a framework must be established through which the county can provide and maintain facilities that adequately meet the diverse needs of the public. This framework will in turn aid in realizing basic General Plan goals such as accommodating additional people in the county, and guiding physical development in an orderly fashion.
The parks and recreation section of this General Plan summarizes the basic goals, policies, standards, and implementation measures of the existing recreation element. The Recreation Element was prepared under the guidance of the County Parks and Recreation Commission and was adopted in 1976 and updated in 1981 to provide a central policy tool in deliberating on matters concerning parks and recreation facilities. Though the entire text of the Recreation Element is not included in this plan, it is contained in the General Plan data base. The goals, policies, standards, and implementation measures that will be used in the General Plan to encourage the maintenance and provision of parks and recreation facilities are provided in the following.
To provide and adequately maintain park and recreation opportunities which are highly accessible and reflective of public needs; to protect park resources from incompatible uses; and to plan park development in such a manner as to minimize environmental impacts.
4440 STANDARDS 1. The County should continue to support efforts to acquire, develop, and maintain county parks and recreation areas that are highly accessible to the public, and serve the unstructured outdoor recreational needs of County residents and tourists. 2. The County shall give priority to the County residents' outdoor recreational needs.
3. Plans for the development of additional County recreational facilities and opportunities shall consider the County's long term capabilities for the maintenance of all facilities and opportunities.
4. The County shall encourage the private acquisition, development, and preservation of outdoor recreational resources and opportunities and facilities, and the County will coordinate recreation plans with all appropriate agencies.
5. The County shall pursue all feasible sources of funding for the maintenance, development or acquisition of recreational facilities and programs consistent with this plan.
6. The County Parks and Recreation Division staff shall continue to provide information regarding recreational opportunities within Humboldt County and input into land use planning decisions insofar as those decisions may effect recreational opportunities in the County.
7. Policies addressing community recreational needs shall be prepared as part of each community plan.
4500 WATER AND WASTEWATER FACILITIES 1. The planning process and design process, as delineated in the General Plan Technical Appendix shall be used as a guideline for the planning of recreational facilities and activities. 2. Public input shall be sought prior to undertaking any extensive development of a park or planning of new recreational facilities.
3. The provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act shall be adhered to in the planning and design processes.
4. Park facilities shall be designed and constructed in such a manner as to not discriminate against the physically handicapped. When a County policy or standard is adopted addressing handicapped accessibility, it shall be incorporated as a standard of this section of the General Plan.
5. The Parks and Recreation Commission shall develop a program to determine the physical barriers to recreational facilities and establish a schedule to eliminate them.
6. Coastal parks and accesses will be developed in accordance with the Local Coastal Plans.
7. The implementation section of the Recreation Element (1976, updated 1981) shall be used as a guide for project selection for County Park development, and is hereby incorporated into this document.
8. The Parks Division of the Department of Public Works shall assume the role of the lead agency for the purposes of administering the Recreation Element.
9. The County Parks and Recreation Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors, and shall review and recommend policy regarding public recreation in Humboldt County, and shall conduct periodic reviews of the Recreation Element.
The major purveyor of domestic and industrial water in Humboldt County is the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. This district supplies water to the cities of Eureka, Arcata and Blue Lake, as well as to the community of Fairhaven, the Samoa Pulp Mills, and various special districts situated around the Humboldt Bay area. The Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District is currently operating near its 75 million gallon per day capacity; however, the district can redistribute its industrial and domestic allotments to meet future demands.
Less obvious, but no less important are the water supply and capacity characteristics of other districts in the County. The County's inland and southern special districts, with few exceptions, have sufficient water supply to meet present needs. The districts located in Willow Creek, Jacoby Creek, Hydesville, Miranda, Redway, Orick, Alderpoint, and Orleans appear to have adequate water supply and capacity. Water supply or capacity is questionable in Weott and Shelter Cove.
One of the goals of the General Plan will be to ensure a dependable water supply, sufficient to meet the County's domestic, industrial, and agricultural needs.
4512 POLICIES 1. To ensure a high quality water supply and distribution system consistent with County needs. 4513 STANDARDS 1. Encourage further investigation of the County's water resources by Federal and State Water Resources agencies. 2. Regulate development that could pollute watershed areas as defined in Section 3362.1
3. Ensure that the intensity and timing of new development will be consistent with the capacity of water supplies.
4. Maximize the use of water conservation techniques appropriate for new and existing development.
(Policies 1, 2, 3, and 4 are also included in the Water Resources Section 3300 of the General Plan.)
(Refer to the Development Timing Section 2630 of the General Plan for further discussion of policies pertaining to public water services.)
4520 WASTEWATER FACILITIES 1. Refer to Water Resources Section 3300 and Development Timing Section 2630 of the General Plan. Wastewater treatment and disposal services are provided to some of the more densely populated areas of Humboldt County. Six of the County's incorporated cities have wastewater systems (including Arcata, Eureka, Blue Lake, Ferndale, Fortuna, and Rio Dell). Additionally, six of the special districts also have such systems (including the Humboldt, McKinleyville, and Redway community services districts, the Garberville and Loleta Sanitary Districts, and the Shelter Cove Resort Improvement District).
Many of the wastewater disposal systems have experienced violations of discharge requirements in the past. These violations are primarily due to inadequate storage capacity to handle effluent storage needs and wet weather runoff. However, corrective measures have been initiated by most of the systems.
The remainder of the County relies on septic systems to dispose of wastewater. The average home generates about 40 to 50 gallons of wastewater per day (not including outside uses such as lawn watering). Improper treatment and disposal of household wastewater can pose serious health problems. For this reason, the County Health Department and Regional Water Quality Control Board have control over design, construction, operation, and maintenance of wastewater treatment systems within their jurisdictions.
The disposal of wastewater is a key constraint to development in Humboldt County. County requirements for septic tank systems limit their use to specific soil conditions and require them to be located away from water sources. Requirements for the subdivision of new parcels stipulate that at least one site on each lot or parcel be suitable for the installation of a septic tank soil absorption system or to be connected to a public sewer system.
The General Plan outlines measures to ensure the safe disposal of wastewater from both wastewater treatment facilities and individual septic systems. Where indicated, some of the following measures have appeared in other sections of the General Plan.
4531 POLICIES 1. To ensure a safe means for waste disposal and protect the County's water resources for the public's health and safety. 4532 STANDARDS 1. Population projections and other related demographic information in the General Plan should be used as a guide for determining the size of wastewater disposal treatment facilities, and the extent of services provided. 2. Responsible County agencies shall continue to coordinate with special districts in maintaining data on wastewater facility capacity.
3. Projects requiring public wastewater disposal shall receive public sewer commitments from the appropriate district or agency prior to receiving tentative approval.
(Refer to the Development Timing Section of the General Plan for further discussion and policies on public wastewater disposal).
4. Areas planned for additional development which are dependent on individual septic tank leach field disposal systems shall have minimum lot sizes based on the following factors:
5. Septic systems shall not be permitted where the slope exceeds 30% or within 50 feet of an unstable land form. A. soil suitability, B. slope,
C. water source (on site-well or serviced),
D. proximity to sensitive habitats.
6. Sewage disposal systems placed on an existing lot must meet all of the requirements of the Humboldt-Del Norte Department of Public Health and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
(Refer to the Development Timing, Rural Development, Water Resources Sections, and the Housing Element of the General Plan for further discussion and policies pertaining to on-site wastewater disposal).
1. North Coast Regional Water Quality Basin Plan.
2. County Health Code regulations.
(NOTE: This section replaced by action of the Board of Supervisors 3/8/94.) 4600 SOLID WASTE COLLECTION/DISPOSAL
In 1992, approximately 125,000 tons of municipal solid waste was disposed of in Humboldt County. The County staff has developed projections regarding future levels of solid waste generation and disposal. In accordance with state requirements mandating 25 percent waste reduction by 1995 and 50 percent by 2000, and considering projected county growth rates, countywide waste disposal is projected to decrease to 109,000 tons per year by 1995 and 84,000 tons per year by 2000.
Recognizing the potential health and safety risks inherent in the disposal of wastes, the State of California has developed a program for integrated solid waste management and waste reduction through AB 939 (Sher, 1989), The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, codified as PRC 40000 et. seq. The legislature delegates primary responsibility for integrated solid waste management to counties. Humboldt County is complying with this State directive by preparing and implementing a County Integrated Waste Management Plan.
The County's Integrated Waste Management Plan provides for an integrated approach to waste management and when completed it will include the following elements:
Humboldt County's Integrated Waste Management Plan requires final approval from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, and will include a process and schedule for future review and revision of each element. This approval and revision process may trigger amendments to the General Plan to insure consistency between the documents. · Source Reduction and Recycling Elements - addressing county and city program plans for source reduction, recycling, composting, special wastes management, education, funding, and organization. · Household Hazardous Waste Elements - addressing County and city program plans for the safe reduction, recycling, and disposal of household hazardous wastes.
· Countywide Siting Element - quantifying landfill capacity needs, identifying general areas of the county potentially suited for landfill development or landfill expansion, and demonstrating a strategy for long-term disposal capacity.
· Non-Disposal Facility Elements - identifying long-term recycling, composting, transfer and other facility needs for the county and cities.
· Integration Summary Plan - summarizing county wide goals and objectives for integrated waste management, administration of the plan, current waste management practices, future diversion and disposal strategies, education needs and programs financing.
The current route of solid waste landfilled in Humboldt County is as designated in Figure 4-4.
Figure 4-4 (NOTE: This section replaced by action of the Board of Supervisors 3/8/94.) 1. Establish and maintain a dynamic and flexible system for the management of solid wastes and waste resources which encompasses the storage, collection, transportation, separation, processing, reduction, reuse and repair, recycling, recovery, marketing, and disposal of solid waste and resources which would otherwise become solid waste, on a Countywide basis. 2. Protect and improve the County' environment, public health, safety, and economy.
3. Reduce the amount and toxicity of waste generated by residents, businesses, industries, and institutions in the County to the greatest degree possible.
4. Establish an integrated waste management hierarchy consisting of the following: Source reduction, reuse and repair, recycling, composting, materials recovery, environmentally safe energy recovery, environmentally safe transformation, and landfill disposal.
5. Maximize the achievement of integrated waste management objectives through education, economic incentives and voluntary participation in waste reduction programs.
6. Maximize the opportunity for individuals and groups to participate in the planning and the implementation of waste reduction programs.
7. Maximize the use of previously discarded materials as a resource for local businesses and manufacturers.
8. Minimize, to the greatest degree possible, the per capita waste generated by the users.
9. Ensure the coordination of and cooperation with all Federal, State and local programs and regulations.
(NOTE: This section replaced by action of the Board of Supervisors 3/8/94.) 1. Reduce litter and other illegal solid waste disposal. 2. Provide a healthy, safe, and environmentally and economically sound system for the management of solid waste and recycled materials.
3. Establish and maintain a coordinated solid waste and recycled materials management program for the County.
4. Minimize the environmental impact of solid waste handling and disposal by mitigation measures such as using bear proof containers and fencing.
5. Establish and maintain an equitable system to finance the cost of integrated waste management.
6. Encourage the establishment of resource and energy recovery systems throughout the County.
7. Encourage waste reduction through source reduction, reuse and repair, recycling and recovery, and marketing programs.
8. Implement programs included in the County and cities' Source Reduction and Recycling Elements to minimize the amount of wastes requiring disposal.
9. Maintain flexibility in integrated waste planning to facilitate the permit issuance process.
10. Provide public education programs which identify the problems, progress and needs of the County integrated waste management program.
11. Encourage full service within the franchise areas.
12. Encourage the development of a centralized composting facility for the County.
13. Maintain closed municipal landfills as open space.
14. Include provisions for maximizing diversion of materials from landfill disposal in the planning and siting of disposal facilities.
15. Define overlay areas on the Public Facilities map sheets of the Framework General Plan, which would define acceptable search areas within which a new or expanded municipal solid waste disposal facility could be considered. The overlay designation would not change the underlying land use designation, or permitted uses within the defined areas, without subsequent amendment.
(NOTE: This section replaced by action of the Board of Supervisors 3/8/94.) This section summarizes the various agency clearances and requirements associated with approval of a Solid Waste Facility project.
Health Department Clearance
1. In seeking approval for the construction or expansion of a solid waste facility1 in Humboldt County, project applicants must obtain a Solid Waste Facility Permit from the Humboldt County Health Department with concurrence by the California Integrated Waste Management Board Pursuant to the requirements of the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 7. 2. Prior to submitting application for a Solid Waste Facility Permit, a project applicant must obtain clearances, approvals or permits listed below:
3. Any proposed new or expanded Solid Waste Facility must be in conformance with the County Solid Waste Management Plan or the County Integrated Waste Management Plan (after its formal adoption). To be in conformance with the Integrated Waste Management Plan, the facility must be described in either the Countywide Siting Element or the appropriate jurisdiction's Non-Disposal Facility Element(s). a. Certification of compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the requirements of the California Code of Regulations Division 6.3. b. Land Use approval from the appropriate City or County Land Use Authority (Planning Commission). See paragraph 5.
c. Approval from the Northcoast Unified Air Quality Management District.
d. Approval from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), Northcoast Region. Note that RWQCB approval may require permits for Stormwater Discharges (NPDES) and/or Waste Discharge permits.
e. Other approvals and clearances such as streambed alteration agreements, Williamson Act Cancellation, Timberland Conversion approval from the Board of Forestry, a Section 404 permit from the Army Corps of Engineers if wetlands are involved, and any others which are required as a result of site design or facility location.
Project shall meet the requirements of the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D; the California Integrated Waste Management Board regulations [California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 7]; requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board regulations, (CCR, Title 23, Division 3); Coastal Zoning Regulations; Humboldt County General Plan; and the County Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan including the Siting Element as applicable.
Municipal Solid Waste Land Fill Siting
4. Additionally, specific criteria for the siting of a municipal solid waste landfill1 are identified in the Siting Element of the Humboldt County Integrated Waste Management Plan.
The first type of criteria, exclusionary criteria, are listed in Table 4-2. These criteria, when applied countywide, result in the elimination of potentially unsuitable areas of Humboldt County from consideration for a new municipal solid waste landfill or landfill expansion. a. Exclusionary Criteria: Table 4-2 defines the federal, state, and local criteria used to identify general areas potentially suitable for municipal solid waste landfill siting or expansion, and also designates the level of feasibility of mitigation for each criterion. These exclusionary criteria were applied to the entire County. Areas potentially suitable for new landfill search or landfill expansion are illustrated in Maps 1-5.
In many cases the required criteria are not "absolute" in that they do allow for possible engineering alternatives which offset or mitigate the hazard addressed by the criteria. Examples include wetlands, unstable areas, and seismic impact zones. The exclusionary criteria are categorized into three levels: Those determined unable to be mitigated (level l); those that can be mitigated but at potentially high cost (level 2); and those that can be feasibly mitigated.
The following regulatory agencies require the consideration of specific exclusionary siting criteria for any new or expanded Humboldt County landfill:
· U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (RCRA Subtitle D) · California Department of Water Resources (CCR, Title 23)
· California Integrated Waste Management Board (CCR, Title 14)
· Coastal Planning Commission (Coastal Zoning Regulations)
· Humboldt County Planning Department (General Plan)
TABLE 4-2 Exclusionary Criteria for New or Expanded Landfill Siting in Humboldt County
Source Criteria Level RCRA subtitle D Subpart-B §258.10
through §258.15 (U.S. EPA)
Airport Safety: Do not site a landfill located within 10,000 feet of any airport runway used by turbojet aircraft or within 5,000 feet of any airport runway used by only piston-type aircraft, unless impacts can be mitigated. 1 Floodplain: Do not site a landfill within a 100-year floodplain unless impacts can be mitigated (e.g., demonstrate that the landfill will not restrict the flow of the 100-year flood, reduce temporary water storage capacity of the floodplain, or result in washout of solid waste). 2 Wetlands: Landfills will not be located in wetlands unless all of the following can be demonstrated: · There is no practicable alternative which does not involve a wetland. · Through construction and engineering: will not violate state water quality standards, violate toxic effluent standards, or jeopardize threatened or endangered species or their habitats.
· Will not cause or contribute to significant degradation of the wetland.
· Attempt to achieve no net loss of wetlands.
2 Fault Areas: Landfills will not be located within 60 meters (200 feet) of a Holocene fault. 1 Seismic Impact Zone: Landfills will not be located in Seismic Impact Zones1 unless design can mitigate the seismic risk. 2 Unstable Areas: Landfills will not be located in unstable areas (e.g., landslide and liquefaction prone areas) unless impacts can be mitigated. 2
Table 4-2, (Continued)
Source Criteria Level California Code of Regulations, Titles 14 and 23 (Integrated Waste Management Board; Department of Water Resources) Fault Areas: Similar to federal standard, above.
1 Rapid Geological Change Areas: Similar to federal standard, above. 2 100-year Floodplain: Similar to federal standard, above. 2 Reasonable Road Access: Landfills will be excluded from areas greater than three miles from all-weather, state, county, or logging main line roads. (Criterion defined by the CAC2 .) 2 County General Plan (Planning Department) Airport: County policy to preclude landfills from siting within an airport safety zone. (Similar to federal standard, above.) 1 Floodplain: County policy to preserve agricultural lands in floodplain areas. (Similar to federal standard, above.) 2 Critical Water Supply Areas: Development in county designated critical water supply areas must demonstrate no risk of contamination. 2 Sensitive and Critical Habitats: It is County policy to protect sensitive and critical habitats. For the purposes of the Siting Element, sensitive and critical habitats are defined by the CAC as those currently designated by the federal government. 1 Water Channels/Wetlands: There will be no landfill development in water channels or wetlands. 2 Streamside Management Areas: Landfill development will be avoided in county designated streamside management areas. 3 In addition to these exclusionary criteria the following considerations must also be addressed:
4700 FIRE PROTECTION The State Water Resources Control Board, CCR, Title 23, Division 3 specifies that there shall be a minimum of five (5) feet between the bottom of the waste and the highest anticipated groundwater. This criterion was not used in identifying potential landfill search/expansion areas (Maps 1-5) because of the lack of complete, countywide data on groundwater depths, and the difficulty of generating such data for the entire county. The Coastal Zoning Regulations specify coastal zones of Humboldt County that are incompatible with landfill development.
b. Discretionary Criteria:
The second type of criteria, discretionary criteria, must be used to evaluate a proposed new municipal solid waste landfill site. In coordination with the County Integrated Waste Management Task Force, the Humboldt County Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for New Landfill Siting has developed community-specific discretionary criteria for use in the siting of a new solid waste landfill. The criteria identified by the CAC are listed below:
Land-Use Related Discretionary Criteria:
· Minimize combined number of schools and hospitals along access road to the site. · Minimize existing and potential population densities of the areas surrounding the landfill site. · Maximize distance from Community Planning Areas.
Any proposed new municipal solid waste landfill siting effort must demonstrate the following: · Maximize distance from community (i.e., five or more hook-ups) water supply/extraction sites. · Minimize view of the site from all directions including critical direction(s).
· For any site located within agricultural lands, minimize use of designated highly productive, prime agricultural lands.
· For any site located within a timber production (T) area, minimize use of timber lands of designated highest productivity.
Circulation Related Discretionary Criteria:
· Minimize the number of households along the access road to the landfill site.
· Minimize distance traveled on local roads (non-controlled access roads).
· Minimize distance traveled on roads with slopes greater than seven percent.
Hydrogeological Related Discretionary Criteria:
· Maximize on-site soils of low permeability and high stability.
· Maximize approximated depth to groundwater.
· Minimize average annual rainfall at landfill site.
Economic Related Discretionary Criteria:
· Maximize amount of on-site/nearby clay sources.
· Maximize amount of on-site cover materials.
· Minimize haul costs, as measured by time and miles, from the waste centroid to the site.
· Minimize distance to nearest electricity tie-in.
· Minimize length of new access road required.
· Minimize site acquisition requirements.
· Maximize willingness of owners with property for sale or who come forward following notification of permission for property access.
· Minimize access road acquisition requirements.
· Minimize landfill construction and operation requirements.
c. Summary:
The site must be in conformance with the exclusionary criteria described in Section 3.4 of the Siting Element, and minimum siting standards as described in RCRA, Subtitle D, subpart B; CCR Title 23, Chapter 15; and other applicable city, county, state and federal requirements.
The siting effort shall demonstrate consideration of the discretionary criteria described above. Any proposed changes to these criteria must be in accordance with landfill siting criteria guidelines stipulated in CCR, Title 14, Chapter 9, §18756, et seq.
Any proposed municipal solid waste landfill effort must demonstrate the following:
The site expansion must be in conformance with the exclusionary criteria described in Section 3.4 of the Siting Element and minimum siting standards as described in RCRA Subtitle D, subpart B; CCR Title 23, Chapter 15, as applicable; and other applicable city, county, state and federal requirements.
The site expansion must demonstrate consideration of the landfill siting criteria guidelines stipulated in CCR, Title 14, Chapter 9, §18756, et seq.
County Planning Land Use Clearance
5. Prior to approval of a solid waste disposal project, the applicant shall submit a solid waste disposal initial study plan which includes:
6. Any solid waste disposal project is to conform to the County Solid Waste Management Plan, or the Integrated Waste Management Plan (after its formal adoption). a. Estimations of the quantity of waste to be disposed of and the area and volume required for disposal, on an annual basis, including 5 and 10 year projections; b. Description of toxicity and harmful effects on people, plants, and animals;
c. Site alternatives and description of impacts associated with each;
d. Relationship of the disposal project to other disposal projects in the area;
e. A monitoring and mitigation program to insure the prevention of damage to soil, plant and animal life, and surface and subsurface water supplies;
f. A post closure plan including descriptions of recontouring, revegetation, visual buffering during and after the project, and a list of possible future uses for each of the sites considered, and a list of uses which would not be possible after project completion; and
g. Assessment of conformity with County Solid Waste Management Plan or the Integrated Waste Management Plan (after its formal adoption).
7. Projects should take place at approved disposal sites, as designated in the County Solid or Integrated Waste Management Plans. New wood waste, sludge, and non-toxic drilling muds projects may, however, be allowed by conditional use permit in any land use designation, except Residential, if the least environmentally damaging alternative is selected. Such projects (those not designated in the County Solid or Integrated Waste Management Plan) in agricultural and timberland designations shall be limited to non-toxic materials that would be compatible with agriculture or timberland use.
8. Per PRC Section 41721.5, New or expanded municipal solid waste disposal project proponents must submit a site identification and description (proposal for Siting Element amendment) to the County Board of Supervisors. If the description is deemed complete, the County will then submit the description to the incorporated cities of Humboldt County within 20 days. Each jurisdiction must then act to approve or disapprove the proposed amendment to the Siting Element within 90 days provided there is sufficient information and documentation to meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, and does not violate any other state or local requirement.
Approval is needed by the county and a majority of the cities which contain a majority of the population of the incorporated area to amend the Element. A jurisdiction may only move to disapprove the Element if there is substantial evidence in the record that the amendment to the element would cause one or more significant adverse impacts.
9. Projects shall demonstrate consistency with this General Plan.
In Humboldt County, fire protection is provided by fourteen fire districts, two cities, six other special districts, the California Department of Forestry, the United States Forest Service, and a number of volunteer fire companies. In addition, assistance with inspections and arson investigations is available from the Office of State Fire Marshall.
The U.S. Forest Service is primarily concerned with wildfires in the National Forest. The Forest Service can respond to structural fires, and can participate in mutual aid agreements with other fire agencies, when crews and equipment are available.
The California Department of Forestry has responsibility for wildfires in the remainder of the County not covered by the U.S. Forest Service. It also has by contract and mutual aid agreements, responsibility for some structural fires. The California Department of Forestry, like the Forest Service, is fully staffed only during summer months. Consequently, it is least able to respond during winter, when the likelihood of structural fires is greater. The California Department of Forestry provides structural fire protection through an annually renewable contract with the County, to all areas of the County outside the boundaries of other local entities which provide fire protection.
The General Plan provides measures to reduce the risk to life and property caused from fire. Provided in the following are the goal and policies of the General Plan to help assure adequate fire protection for new development in Humboldt County.
1. To assure adequate fire protection for new development.
(Policies 3, 4, and 5 also appear in the Hazard Section 3291 of the General Plan.) 1. Proposed development shall be adequately serviced by water supplies for fire protection or shall have a letter from an appropriate fire protection agency indicating that adequate fire protection can be provided. 2. Encourage clustered development to provide for more localized and effective fire protection measures.
3. Humboldt County should encourage the use of fire as a management tool in the improvement of brush ranges for livestock production, enhancement of wildlife habitat, improvement of ground cover for soil and water conservation and for fuel reduction as a vital element in fire protection.
4. Use the appropriate section of the California Department of Forestry "Fire Safe Guides" as guidelines for review of residential development in rural areas, to be consistent with other General Plan policies.
5. Actively support and pursue the implementation recommendations of the Humboldt County Fire Chief's Association.
1. California Department of Forestry Fire Safe Guides.
2. Building Codes.
Nearly 30 percent of Humboldt County's population are students, attending 69 public schools in 34 school districts, a community college and a university, plus six parochial schools and two private elementary schools. Student population in the County's elementary schools and high schools has decreased over the past several years, while enrollment in the two colleges has shown recent increases. Present enrollment figures for public educational facilities in the County are provided below.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT 1980-81 School Year
The responsibility for providing necessary school facilities rests primarily with individual school districts, colleges, and universities. However, Humboldt County has responsibility, through the General Plan, to assist schools in locating new facilities with respect to anticipated residential development and to characteristics of the future population. Additionally, proposed land uses and division of property is subject to County review. To coordinate various General Plan policies with the broad education needs of the County, the following public facility goals and policies are provided. School Humboldt County Public Elementary & High School 18,441
College of the Redwoods 5,056
Humboldt State University 7,500
4820 POLICIES 1. To provide sufficient land for the County's educational facilities, while ensuring their accessibility to the community. 3. School sites shall not be located in areas exposed to hazards. 1. The County should work closely with local educational institutions to study alternatives to new facility construction or facility siting. 2. The County should encourage joint (shared) school facilities and educational programs between school districts and other public agencies.
4830 STANDARDS 4. Encourage new school facilities to locate near public parks or recreational facilities. 5. School sites should be located in areas provided with public water and sewer services, or where adequate on-site systems can be established.
6. Conversion of closed school sites and facilities to other uses should be consistent with existing or planned land uses of adjacent areas.
4900 COUNTY GOVERNMENT FACILITIES 1. "Alternatives to new facility construction" includes, but is not limited to, refurbishing old building structures or sites. In providing the services for which it is responsible, the County must occasionally construct new facilities. Public works storage and maintenance yards, health facilities, as well as County Department offices, must sometimes be located throughout the County. The overall goals and policies of the General Plan must be considered when planning for projects of this sort. The County's own review of new facilities and projects can set a positive example for other agencies planning to construct or relocate public facilities. Provided in the following are the County General Plan's goal and policies regarding County Government facilities.
4920 POLICIES 1. To maximize consistency between the County General Plan and proposed County Government facilities. 3. County facilities should be easily accessible and promote citizen use. 1. All future projects and facilities proposed by any agency of County government shall be reviewed for consistency with this General Plan or with applicable city General Plans. 2. County facilities should be sited and designed for present use and expected future expansion.
4930 STANDARDS1. Access refers to proximity to population centers.
2. Government Code Section 65402 (a) and (b).