Grading Ordinance Update

by Ed Nieves

The proposed county grading ordinance is still an issue in front of the Mendocino Planning Commission. The commission expects to complete its version of the ordinance by June for submission to the Board of Supervisors.

The Planning Commission recently held a well-attended meeting, during which state and federal agency personnel expressed their misgivings with the way the ordinance is shaping up. However, their view that the ordinance needs to be more restrictive, particularly as it regards streams and setbacks, while acknowledged by the commissioners, was mostly ignored. The agency representatives were quite clear in their opinion that the commission, with its version, is setting up a situation which will lead to lawsuits by the agencies against the county. Of course, lawsuits will most likely be brought by farmers, developers and concerned environmentalists as well.

As part of the Mendocino Environmental Center's ongoing grading ordinance forum series, a recent forum in Laytonville was enthusiastically received. Earl Brown was asked to return at a later date to present his slide show to a group of local leaders. The next forum will be held in Willits. Watch for the date to be announced in May. For more information, contact the MEC at 468-1660.

Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2003
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited


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Last Update: 5/11/03