Mendocino County official approves coastal development permit and front-setback variance for Coral Court home

The Mendocino County Coastal Permit Administrator approved a coastal development permit (CDP-2023-0041) and an accompanying front-yard setback variance (V-2023-0002) on July 24, allowing demolition of about 600 square feet of an existing house, excavation for a lower story and a 2,636-square-foot addition including two bedrooms, a garage, an art studio, rooftop solar and a guest cottage above the proposed garage at 38660 Coral Court. The administrator found the project categorically exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approved it subject to the findings and conditions stated in the staff report.

Why it matters: The decision authorizes a sizeable rebuild and a reduced 8-foot front setback where the standard requirement is 20 feet, a change staff said is consistent with other Coral Court properties and necessary because of lot shape and steep topography. The permit includes conditions responding to recommendations from Mendocino County Department of Transportation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Mendocino County project planner Shelby Miller told the administrator the property is in the coastal zone about one-half mile northwest of the Gualala town center and is served by a local public water utility. Miller said the variance request responds to the parcel's constrained size, shape and steep topography and that four nearby…