Neighbors cite septic and river‑proximity risks; zoning administrator continues travel‑trailer family care unit application

The Mendocino County Zoning Administrator continued an application to permit a travel trailer to serve as a temporary family care unit after neighbors raised questions about septic feasibility, steep slopes and river‑proximity risks.

Russ Ward, Senior Planner, presented the application filed for owner-applicant Ryan Hayes and said the parcel—about 4.25 miles north of the valley near Hong Kai Road—contains an existing single-family residence rebuilt after the Redwood Valley Fire. Ward told the hearing the use is proposed as a temporary accommodation and that the application is intended to authorize the existing travel trailer on site as a family care unit; he also noted a prior enforcement issue related to an occupied travel trailer.

Neighbor Sharon Foster, speaking for herself (and stating "Madonna and Sharon Foster"), urged the county not to approve the permit. Foster raised multiple specific concerns: she said the packet attachments and photographs were inaccurate, described steep slopes on parts of the parcel (she cited "at least a 30 to 40% slope"), and said the trailer sits "basically less than 10 feet from the Russian River." Foster also questioned the ability to safely connect the travel trailer to the existing septic system—she said the system is more than 40 years old and that adding hookups could overwhelm the drain field—and asked how wastewater and power would be provided safely for a temporary unit.

"We are here today to ask that you do not approve this administrative permit for a temporary use of a ... family care unit," Foster said, urging the county to verify setback requirements, slope stability and septic feasibility before allowing the unit to remain.

The Zoning Administrator said septic connectivity was his primary concern and instructed staff to work with the applicant to identify an alternate trailer location or an alternative method to connect to the septic system. He continued the matter to a date uncertain and said the county will mail notice when the item is rescheduled. The administrator also offered to provide neighbors copies of agency comments submitted during the referral process.

Transcript labeling shows additional public remarks on enforcement timing and prior complaints attributed to the same speaker channel that earlier identified as Russ Ward; because those later remarks conflict with the planner role and speaker labeling may be inconsistent in the transcript, the county will provide the normal public-comment record and staff contact (Gabriella Eaton) for follow up.

Next steps: staff was directed to work with the applicant on siting and septic-connection options and to report back when the item is ready to return to a hearing; a new hearing date will be mailed to interested parties.