Mendocino Historical Review Board 5/4/2026

The Mendocino Historical Review Board met on May 4, 2026, to discuss several items including approval of minutes, consent calendar items, and a significant exterior alteration project for the Mendocino Fire Protection District building at 10461 Lancing Street. The board approved the project with conditions related to preserving historical elements such as the fire bell and ensuring accessibility compliance. A notable portion of the meeting focused on fee increases for sign permits, with staff explaining that fees had risen by 15 to 65% due to a cost recovery directive from the Board of Supervisors and detailed time tracking of staff work. The board discussed the possibility of streamlining sign permit reviews through memorandums instead of full staff reports to reduce workload and potentially lower fees. No final vote was taken on this procedural change, but there was openness to the idea. The meeting also addressed procedural errors regarding project continuations and the need for future board member recruitment.