Image from Redwood Times

   Two recently posted stories relate to Humboldt County Planning Department's notifications of land owners that they own parcels that have been, "identified as a parcel of uncertain status, sometimes referred to as a shaded parcel."

There seems to be some confusion among the general public as to the exact content of these letters. Copies of the two letters sent by the Planning Department are posted here, each as a .pdf file.

• Click here to view letter 1, sent September 13, 2011.
• Click here to view letter 2, sent July 12, 2012 - note: this letter has been redacted to protect the identity of the recipient.

"Shaded Parcels", a term used to indicate parcels that have been shaded in on a map with pencil by Humboldt County Planning Department Staff denoting uncertain legal status, are once again in the news. Earlier this summer Humboldt County sent notifications to 25 property owners in the Seely Creek area, between Redway and Briceland, informing them that their parcels appear to be illegally subdivided. Subsequently around ten of those land owners met with Planning Department Staff at the Planning Department Office in Eureka.

In a story airing on August 24, 2012, KMUD Reporter Daniel Mintz discusses the issue and interviews Interim Planning and Building Department Director Martha Spencer. Use the player below to hear or download the audio clip.

"Shaded Parcels" have been in the news recently in Humboldt County. According to an article in the Times Standard, "Parcels become shaded when the planning department finds that a lot has been recorded for taxes with the assessor's office, but not for development with planning staff. Planners then “shade” the parcel on a map with a pencil to indicate its uncertain legal status. Parcel owners must record their property with both departments to have it considered a legal parcel."

On the August 23, 2012 edition of the KMUD Local News, Terri KLemetson, KMUD News Coordinator, interviewed Eric Kirk, a local attorney who is representing some of the property owners affected by the recent notifications of shaded property status sent out by the Humboldt County Planning Department.

Use the player below to hear or download an audio clip of this story.