Mendocino review board approves two after-the-fact EV charging permits with conditions; consent items also cleared

The Mendocino Historical Review Board on Aug. 4 approved two after-the-fact permits to install electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations at historic properties and cleared two consent-calendar items, while placing conditions that code-enforcement violations be resolved and that any required accessibility changes return to the board as minor alterations.

The board approved MHRV2025-006, an after-the-fact request to install three EV charging stations at a property listed in staff materials as 10691 Powell Drive, and MHRV2025-007, an after-the-fact request to install three EV charging stations inside wooden enclosures at the McCallum/McAllen House parcels on Albion Street (parcels listed in staff materials as 45020 and 45040 Albion Street). Staff recommended and the board adopted standard Mendocino Historical Review Board conditions plus two additional conditions for each permit: (1) the owner must demonstrate code-enforcement violations are resolved to the satisfaction of Mendocino County prior to permit expiration, and (2) charging cabinets must be stained redwood (staff language) and new or replacement exterior materials shall not use imitation or synthetic materials such as aluminum or vinyl siding, imitation stone, plastic laminate beams, concrete boards or blocks, stucco, asbestos shingles/panels, or plywood panels.

Why it matters: board members said state accessibility (ADA) requirements have changed since earlier approvals and could require design changes that affect the historical appearance of properties. The…