Commission approves Bauer Park restoration, adopts mitigated negative declaration

The Mendocino County Planning Commission unanimously approved Coastal Development Use Permit U2025-0002 and adopted a mitigated negative declaration for the Bauer Park Restoration and Improvement Grant Project in Gualala, authorizing upgrades and new amenities intended to improve recreation and accessibility.

Planning staff director Julia Krog told the commission the project would expand and pave parking to create 47 stalls (including four ADA stalls), rebuild a damaged spillway boardwalk, renovate picnic and playground areas, resurface and reconfigure court areas to include tennis and pickleball, add a full basketball court, install outdoor fitness equipment at multiple locations, create a fenced dog area and replace restrooms. The project includes repairs to existing structures and infrastructure upgrades for water and electricity and is funded in part with a state rehabilitation grant.

“The proposed plan for rehabilitation and enhancement would improve areas that are already developed or on ground that has already been disturbed while minimizing development impacts to habitat or aesthetic resources,” said Dave Schbach, chair of the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District board, who testified in support on behalf of the district.

County staff noted biological resources on the site include Bishop pine woodland and multiple aquatic features (a 1.3‑acre manmade pond, seasonal wetlands and ephemeral drainages) and described a set of mitigation measures to avoid significant impacts. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed draft mitigation language and recommended removing language that would direct planting of “relatively impenetrable vegetation” as a hard protective barrier; staff revised mitigation measure BIO‑1 accordingly and added a requirement that a replanting plan for Bishop pine woodland be submitted to CDFW for review.

Public stakeholders and local advisory bodies supported the project during the hearing. The Gualala Municipal Advisory Council submitted comments that staff incorporated as minor clarifications to the draft mitigated negative declaration. Kevin Evans, chair of the Wallowa Municipal Advisory Council, told the commission that State Assembly Member Jim Wood and Supervisor Ted Williams assisted in securing the $2.2 million state rehabilitation grant that funds the project.

Staff described conditions to limit lighting impacts (downcast or motion‑sensing security lights) and to require encroachment permits for any right‑of‑way work on Old Stage Road. The project is consistent with the Gualala town plan and county zoning; staff recommended adopting the mitigated negative declaration and granting the permit with the mitigation monitoring and reporting program attached.

Commissioners made no changes to the substantive mitigation program during the hearing. A motion to approve the project with the conditions and the mitigated negative declaration passed unanimously by roll call.