Mendocino board approves animal‑resistant street trash cans after public debate

The Mendocino Historical Review Board voted to allow the replacement of existing street trash receptacles with the Department of Transportation's preferred animal‑resistant model, with a secondary preference for a second style that staff described as an acceptable alternative.

The board's action adopted staff's recommendation that the county broadly approve DOT's requested change in receptacle style and allow the department to proceed pending final coordination on siting and specifications. Staff told the board DOT had supplied written answers to seven questions asked at an earlier hearing and that DOT indicated options 2 and 3 fit within the program budget.

Why it matters: Residents and business owners said the change aims to reduce trash scattered by birds, raccoons and other animals and to ease the extra cleanup performed by county and volunteer crews, particularly during summer tourism peaks. Opponents and some residents said aesthetics matter in Mendocino's historic…