Mendocino County zoning administrator approves six administrative permits including cannabis cultivations, temporary RV use, events and Verizon upgrade

The Mendocino County Zoning Administrator approved six administrative permits at a July 10 hearing, including multiple cannabis cultivation proposals, a temporary RV occupancy for an on‑site construction project, a pair of temporary-event dates at Gateway Mendocino in Hopland, and an equipment upgrade to an existing Verizon wireless tower.

Jamie Henry, the staff planner who presented each item, recommended approval in every case “subject to the proposed conditions of approval,” and the zoning administrator said he had reviewed the staff reports and would approve each project “subject to the findings and conditions contained within the resolution.” There were no members of the public in the room or on Zoom during the hearing.

The approvals covered sites in Timberland Production Zone (TPZ) and other county zoning designations and included standard conditions intended to address fire safety, building‑permit compliance, archaeological discovery, and traffic or pedestrian safety where relevant. Several cannabis proposals were required to regularize previously permitted structures or expired permits before commercial operations may begin.

Cannabis cultivation approvals

The zoning administrator approved four cultivation permits, each on parcels designated forest lands and located in timberland production zones. Key staff findings across the applications were that the proposed cultivation areas are sited within previously disturbed or cleared areas, meet the county’s setback requirements, and qualify for categorical exemptions under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) where noted.

- Case AP2019‑0106 (applicant identified as Matthew, last name redacted; agent Javier Rau): The proposed cultivation would use an existing clearing on the southern portion of the parcel and employ an existing greenhouse, two water storage tanks and a 3,700‑square‑foot drying and processing facility. The parcel contains a residence and two accessory structures. Staff noted an active Mendocino County code enforcement case (BI2022‑0220) involving several unpermitted structures related to cannabis cultivation; the resolution includes a condition requiring the applicant to legalize or remove…