Mendocino County Archaeological Commission accepts three survey reports, approves boundary adjustment for Bella Shores

Mendocino County’s Archaeological Commission on Jan. 14 accepted three archaeological survey reports tied to coastal development permit applications and approved a boundary adjustment that will allow a new septic leach field for Bella Shores Mobile Home Park. All three motions carried unanimously, 3–0.

The commission reviewed case CDP20250016 (Harold Pitters Family Trust), a permit for a 303‑square‑foot addition and associated exterior work at 14140 Helmas Circle in Mendocino. Liam, a planning staff member, reported that the survey located a shell midden but that the recorded site did not extend within 25 feet of the proposed construction. The project’s archaeologist recommended protective measures including temporary 3‑foot plastic hazard fencing placed about 10 feet beyond the exterior site boundary, with placement determined by a professional archaeologist and fencing left in place through project completion. The commission voted to accept the survey report and to follow the archaeologist’s recommendations.

The commission next considered CDP20250017 (David Ashcroft and Melinda Martinson), a permit for a new 1,105‑square‑foot single‑family residence, a 440‑square‑foot detached garage, decks and related site work at 46800 Iverson Lane. Agent Sarah Bradley told the commission the report found no prehistoric or historical cultural resources and cited transects and shovel probes used during the field survey. Commissioners noted standard transect spacing (1–3 meters in some parts, 5 meters elsewhere) and agreed that a discovery clause should appear in permit terms to address any buried resources uncovered during construction. The survey was accepted with that clause.

The third item, CDP20250024, was a coastal boundary line adjustment proposed by Bell Shores LLC to transfer roughly eight acres between parcels so a new primary leach field can be installed to serve Bella Shores Mobile Home Park near Fort Bragg. Commissioners raised questions about photos that appeared to show previous brush removal on the site; an on‑record participant identified as Alicia said the work removed brush for line placement and did not involve digging or stump removal. Commissioners stressed the importance of the discovery clause because surface scraping can mask subsurface resources. The commission accepted the report and the recommended discovery protections.

Throughout the reviews commissioners and staff emphasized standard survey methods—transects and shovel probes—and the commission repeatedly relied on the discovery clause in county code and staff recommendations to manage unknown subsurface finds. The meeting record shows staff referenced the county discovery requirement and the Public Resources Code as part of standard recommendation language.

The meeting was called to order by Sandy Arellano, planner with Mendocino County Planning and Building Services, at 2:03 p.m. and adjourned at 2:24 p.m. The commission noted an open Native American alternate representative seat and encouraged qualified applicants to contact the county’s executive office.