Planning Commission 9/3/2026

The Mendocino County Planning Commission held a meeting on September 3, 2026, primarily to discuss a coastal development use permit modification requested by the Mendocino Unified School District (MUSD). The modification involved converting an existing test well into a production well and installing underground water and power lines. A significant portion of the meeting focused on reviewing a hydrological study related to the well's impact on neighboring wells, with concerns raised about potential effects on local groundwater and the adequacy of monitoring and mitigation measures. The commission deliberated on permit conditions, including water usage limits during droughts and obligations for MUSD to provide water to neighbors if their wells are impacted. Due to ongoing review of the hydrological study by a third-party contractor and unresolved concerns about protecting neighboring wells, the commission voted unanimously to continue the item to a future meeting on September 17, 2026, requesting a redlined version of the permit conditions incorporating suggested revisions. Additionally, the commission nominated two members to serve on the Airport Land Use Commission, with the appointments subject to Board of Supervisors approval.