Mendocino review board votes to place windows‑materials ad hoc committee on June agenda after public debate

The Mendocino County Historical Review Board voted unanimously on May 5 to add an agenda item for its June 2 meeting to consider creating an ad hoc committee to review and recommend potential amendments to the board’s preservation guidelines with an initial focus on window materials.

Board members debated whether to limit the ad hoc’s scope to windows and doors or to include a broader set of guideline items. Several board members said starting with a single, narrowly defined topic such as window materials would improve the chance of timely results. Other members urged caution about expanding the scope to many items at once because the formal amendment process can be lengthy and resource‑intensive.

Public commenters and board members described practical pressures motivating the discussion. A member of the public who said he recently built with modern windows argued wooden windows remain available from some manufacturers, while another public commenter noted the formal process to amend county plans and guidelines can take years and involves public stakeholder meetings.

Staff reiterated process and noticing requirements. Planner Waldman and staff member Jesse told the board an ad hoc committee must be properly noticed under the Brown Act, cannot include a majority of board members, and that documents intended for consideration should be submitted to Planning and Building Services in advance so materials can be circulated to all board members prior to the hearing. Waldman suggested that board members provide a focused list of guideline sections they want the ad hoc to consider before the item is agendized.

The motion to add the item — described at the hearing as "to discuss forming an ad hoc committee to review the guidelines for window materials" — was moved, seconded and approved by roll call. The transcript records a roll call in which Deirdre Lamb, Julian Lopez and Holly Machigold responded “yes,” and the chair announced a 5‑0 unanimous vote. The board directed staff to place the ad hoc discussion on the June 2 meeting agenda and to include public notice so residents and stakeholders can comment.

Why it matters: the board’s guidelines shape what exterior treatments are allowed or recommended for buildings in local historic areas; revisions could change what materials applicants can propose and how staff and the board evaluate exemptions.

Next steps: Planning and Building Services will place a matter on the June 2 agenda to consider forming the ad hoc committee; the board must provide specific guideline sections it wants the committee to review and any supporting documents should be submitted to staff before the meeting so they can be noticed and distributed to the public.