Irish Beach subdivision project approved contingent on wetland setbacks

The Coastal Permit Administrator meeting held on April 10, 2025, in Mendocino County, California, focused on a straightforward project proposal for a single-family residence and garage within the Irish Beach subdivision. The site is currently vacant, and the proposal was reviewed by staff, who identified a few key considerations.

One significant issue noted was the presence of a two-parameter wetland located in the southeast corner of the lot. The proposed backup septic field would be situated within 15 feet of this wetland. As a result, staff recommended that if the backup field needs to be installed, a modification to the permit would be required, meaning it would not be approved as part of the current application.

Additionally, there were concerns regarding previous drainage issues reported by a neighboring property owner, particularly around the northwest corner near Cypress Point Road. Staff indicated that the submitted materials from the applicant did not address these drainage concerns, and thus no conditions were set regarding them. Should drainage issues arise in the future, further modifications or a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) may be necessary.

The property owner was contacted prior to the meeting but did not express any additional comments or concerns. Staff recommended approval of the project with conditions as outlined in the staff report.

During the public hearing segment of the meeting, no members of the public were present to speak on the matter, either in person or online. The absence of public comment indicated a lack of opposition or concern from the community regarding the proposed project.

In conclusion, the meeting progressed smoothly with staff's recommendation for approval, pending the outlined conditions, and no public input was recorded. The next steps will involve monitoring any future developments related to the drainage issues and the potential need for modifications to the permit.