The ordinance process has brought up sentiments from STR operators, neighbors and advocates for housing, who say that short term rentals are taking the place of permanent housing amid a housing crisis. Five meetings have been held so far to collect input on the ordinance, with Associate Planner Keenan Hilton noting hundreds have attended with over a hundred written comments submitted to the commission.
A couple weeks after the matter spilled cantankerously into public view, Humboldt County and Building Department staff is recommending the Planning Commission approve the permits.