The Mendocino County Subdivision Committee on Jan. 8, 2026 continued a coastal boundary-line adjustment (case BUnderscore20250029) after staff and the committee raised concerns that the proposed reconfiguration could leave one parcel without direct county road frontage and unclear utility easements.

Dirk Larson of Planning and Building Services introduced the item, saying the proposal would reconfigure two parcels at or near 10425 Blair Street in Mendocino and change lot sizes so Lot 1 decreases to about 0.67 acres and Lot 2 increases to about 0.67 acres. The owner and applicant was listed as Richard Hodala and the agent as Ronco Consulting.

Alex (committee/transportation participant) pressed the applicant and staff on whether utilities and the sewer cleanout serving the rear parcel would be covered by a recorded easement, and whether the existing gravel driveway approach to Blair Street should be upgraded to meet county road-approach standards or be the subject of a formal private-road approach and road-widening condition. Alex said the driveway approach “is now essentially becoming a private road approach serving the two parcels instead of just that one” and asked that the condition clarify who must provide future easements and what physical improvements would be required.

An exchange between Alex and the agent focused on options: staff suggested a condition requiring the applicant to provide or secure necessary easements and to pave or otherwise improve the first portion of the gravel approach and meet county flare and width standards unless a Tab H exception reducing road width is later justified. The agent requested time to work with staff on precise wording. Alex offered to draft proposed language: “I can send you text to that condition.”

Given the outstanding uncertainties about access, easements and the precise technical wording of the Department of Transportation–related condition, the applicant requested a continuance. Melissa Hernandez moved to continue the matter; Alex seconded. The committee voted to continue case BUnderscore20250029 to the next available meeting on Feb. 12, 2026.

What happens next: staff and the agent will draft the recommended condition language clarifying whether a recorded easement or other instrument must be completed before certification and whether a Tab H exception or full road-standard improvements are required; the continuance was set to allow that language to be finalized and returned to the committee on Feb. 12, 2026.