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Planning commission delays permit for Mendocino Forest Products site after neighborhood outcry
Summary
The Mendocino County Planning Commission continued consideration of coastal use permit U2024007 to a date uncertain after neighbors raised CEQA, contamination, noise and traffic concerns and commissioners said the record lacks operational details needed to make use‑permit findings.
The Mendocino County Planning Commission voted unanimously to continue consideration of coastal development use permit U2024007 for the former mill site at 32600 Holquist Lane to a date uncertain, saying staff and applicants must provide more detail on operations and environmental risk.
Senior planner Russ Ford told the commission the site "consists of 3 APNs totaling 36.8 acres" and that staff recommended a negative declaration under CEQA with conditions of approval. Commissioners and dozens of neighbors said that information was insufficient for the commission to find the project would not harm public health or the environment.
Commissioner Wiedemann said the neighbors' input warrants more study: "I do think this needs more time." Commissioner Johnson added that the commission could not yet make the required use‑permit findings: "I don't believe we can make that finding today." Deputy County Counsel Matthew Gudrowski advised the commission to direct staff to seek the clarifications it needs rather than make a final determination that day.
Neighbors described proximity to homes and lingering contamination from earlier mill operations. Bruce Moore, a long‑time nearby resident, urged the commission to pause and study the issue, saying the project could cause "potentially huge health, quality of life, and environmental issues." Multiple speakers asked for an environmental impact report or expanded mitigation and for the county to stake ESHA buffer lines on the ground so commissioners and residents could see whether required setbacks would be met.
Applicant John Curry, asset manager for Mendocino Redwood Company and Mendocino Forest Products, said the company is trying to legalize existing, largely industrial yard uses and is not proposing on‑site manufacturing: "When you talk about manufacturing, we're not gonna manufacture anything," he said, and offered to work with staff on operational limits. Commissioners asked for an operations plan with hours, likely vehicle trips by season and maximum quantities of stored materials to support an accurate traffic, noise and air‑quality analysis.
The commission directed staff to return with a clearer project description, suggested limits and monitoring language, and a plan for re‑notice and outreach. The motion to continue was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Wiedemann and carried unanimously (Wiedemann, Johnson and Chair Richards voted yes).
