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Mendocino County archaeological panel orders surveys for three development projects
Summary
The Mendocino County Archaeological Commission on May 13 required archaeological surveys for three separate development proposals — two cannabis-related projects and one coastal residence — and accepted a previously conducted survey for a minor subdivision. Votes on the survey mandates were unanimous or carried by recorded tallies.
Sandy Arellano, a planner with Mendocino County Planning and Building Services, said the Archaeological Commission voted May 13 to require archaeological surveys for three separate projects and accepted one previously completed survey.
The commission took action after referrals from the Northwest Information Center (NWIC), which recommended field studies for multiple parcels because of the proximity of previously recorded archaeological sites.
At the start of the first case, AP20260005, the applicant — recorded in the meeting as Tom — described prior work on the property, including a permitted 5,000-square-foot building and a large septic installation, and questioned why a new survey was being requested for a proposed reduction in the cannabis setback from 100 feet to 50 feet and an additional 2,500-square-foot indoor cultivation area. "Respectfully, we've done a lot of tests over the last 4 and a half years," the applicant said, arguing previous permitting had not required an archaeological study.
"An administrative permit is discretionary," said Sandy Arellano, explaining why the commission was reviewing the permit. "This is our commission's opportunity to do more research when it comes to ground disturbance that may have potentially archaeological resources and that's why we're here to protect if any." The commission's archaeologist, Bill Cole, recommended surveying the project site area where development is proposed, including the expanded 50-foot setback and a buffer around the new indoor area. Following a motion to require a survey of the development area including the 50-foot setback, the chair announced the motion carried by a recorded tally of 4 to 2.
Case AP20260011, a proposed large outdoor cultivation site (up to a 10,000-square-foot canopy) on a 7.79-acre forest-land parcel at 24310 Holes Valley Road in Covelo, was referred to NWIC. NWIC and staff noted either an archaeological site on the parcel or adjacent to it and recommended an updated site record and survey. Commissioners discussed whether to limit the survey to the cultivation area or require a parcel-wide survey; the panel voted to require a survey of the entire parcel and to have any site record updated if the recorded site extends into the property. The roll-call result for that motion was recorded as 4 to 0.
On CDP20230039, a coastal development permit to grade a building site and construct a single-family residence near the Navarro River (1.1 acres at 550 North Highway 1 in Albion), applicant Kristen Cielo asked whether the survey could be limited to the building footprint. Staff and the commission explained standard archaeological practice for steep slopes and sensitive areas and said an archaeologist would focus transects in the sensitive zones and reduce effort on very steep slopes. The commission voted to require a survey of the project site; the chair announced the motion carried 4 to 0.
The commission also reviewed an existing survey for a proposed minor subdivision (MS20250002) in Philo, accepted the report prepared by Alta with a standard discovery clause to address any finds during future ground disturbance, and approved that acceptance by a 4 to 0 vote.
Several participants emphasized practical details for applicants. Casey Miller, listed as the staff planner on AP20260005, noted applicants may request copies of NWIC records and that NWIC (also called the California Historical Resources Information System in the meeting) maintains records at Sonoma State. Mark Klieser, the planner representative for staff, offered to forward links and the county's survey requirements to applicants.
Valerie, identifying herself as a tribal representative, said Laytonville is not in her tribe's territory but supported a targeted survey of areas of ground disturbance and suggested checking trenching for utilities and the septic location.
The commission announced a special in‑person training for planners and the public on June 9 at the Mendocino County Museum focused on archaeological surveys in project review, AB 52 consultation, case studies and mitigation techniques. The meeting adjourned at about 3:07 p.m.
Votes and formal actions taken by the commission during the meeting are summarized below.
Votes at a glance: The commission voted to require a targeted survey (including the 50‑foot setback area) for AP20260005 (motion carried, chair announced 4 to 2). For AP20260011 (require survey of the entire 7.79‑acre parcel) the motion carried (recorded 4 to 0). For CDP20230039 (survey required for the 1.1‑acre site) the motion carried 4 to 0. The commission accepted the survey for MS20250002 with a standard discovery clause (4 to 0).
