Legislation Details

File #: 26-0854    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Presentations Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 9/4/2026 In control: Planning and Building Services
On agenda: 9/15/2026 Final action:
Title: Discussion and Possible Action Including Acceptance of Informational Report from the Department of Planning & Building Services Regarding the Sea Level Rise Resiliency Strategy Project and Local Coastal Program Update Project, Including Review of Proposed Amendments to Chapter 3.4 “Hazards Management” of the Coastal Element of the General Plan to Adopt Baseline Policies Addressing Sea Level Rise (Sponsor: Planning and Building Services) Vote Requirement: Majority
Sponsors: Planning and Building Services, Steve Dunnicliff
Attachments: 1. 1. GP_2026-0001 BOS Memo, 2. Attachment A, 3. Attachment B, 4. Attachment C, 5. Attachment D, 6. Attachment E

To:  BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

From:  Planning and Building Services

Meeting Date:  September 15, 2026

 

Department Contact:  

Liam Crowley

Phone: 

707-234-6650

Department Contact:  

Richard Angley

Phone: 

707-234-6650

 

Item Type:   Regular Agenda

 

Time Allocated for Item: 30 Minutes

 

 

Agenda Title:

title

Discussion and Possible Action Including Acceptance of Informational Report from the Department of Planning & Building Services Regarding the Sea Level Rise Resiliency Strategy Project and Local Coastal Program Update Project, Including Review of Proposed Amendments to Chapter 3.4 “Hazards Management” of the Coastal Element of the General Plan to Adopt Baseline Policies Addressing Sea Level Rise

(Sponsor: Planning and Building Services)

 

Vote Requirement:  Majority

End

 

Recommended Action/Motion:

recommendation

Accept informational report from the Department of Planning & Building Services regarding the Sea Level Rise Resiliency Strategy Project and Local Coastal Program Update Project, including review of proposed amendments to Chapter 3.4 “Hazards Management” of the Coastal Element of the General Plan to adopt baseline policies addressing sea level rise.

End

 

Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:

On October 18, 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 22-206, which authorized the submittal of an application to the California Coastal Commission under the Local Coastal Program (LCP) Local Assistance Grant Program to fund a multi-element update of the Mendocino County LCP. The resolution authorized the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) all necessary applications, contracts, and agreements and amendments thereto to implement and carry out the project.

 

On November 16, 2022, Mendocino County was awarded $2,177,399 under the project and executed grant agreement LCP-22-06 with the California Coastal Commission to carry out the project.

 

On May 23, 2023, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 23-091, which authorized the submittal of an application to the California Coastal Commission under the LCP Local Assistance Grant Program to fund the Sea Level Rise Resiliency Strategy project. The resolution authorized the CEO to execute all necessary applications, contracts, and agreements and amendments thereto to implement and carry out the project.

 

In January 2024, Mendocino County was awarded $342,736 under the program and executed grant agreement LCP-23-09 with the California Coastal Commission to carry out the project. The agreement was amended in October 2025 as LCP-23-09-A1 to extend the end term date to December 31, 2026. Task 3.1 of the grant agreement provides that the County will prepare an update to LCP Chapter 3.4 “Hazards Management” that includes baseline sea level rise policies.

 

On August 20, 2026, the Mendocino County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the baseline policies addressing sea level rise to the Board of Supervisors.                     

 

Summary of Request

Planning & Building Services staff intend to provide an update to the Board of Supervisors regarding the status of the Sea Level Rise Resiliency Strategy project and Sea Level Rise Local Coastal Update project, including review of proposed draft amendments to the LCP to amend existing policies and adopt new baseline policies addressing sea level rise. The amendments and additions would include (1) acknowledgment of sea level rise’s exacerbation of beach erosion, (2) requiring the factoring of sea level rise into bluff setbacks, (3) requiring the use of best available science to evaluate hazards, (4) requiring the disclosure of hazards and assumption of risk for new development in hazardous areas, and (5) commitments to periodically update the Sea Level Rise Resiliency Strategy, vulnerability assessment, and LCP to reflect new information and comply with Public Resources Code section 30985 (SB 272, Laird 2023).

 

Please see the associated staff memorandum and attachments for this agenda item for more information.

 

Alternative Action/Motion:

Provide direction to staff.                     

 

Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Prepared and Resilient County

 

Supervisorial District:  District 4 & District 5

                                                                                    

 

 

Supplemental Information Available Online At: <https://www.mendocinocounty.gov/departments/planning-building-services/public-noticing>

 

Fiscal Details:

source of funding: N/A

current f/y cost: N/A

budget clarification: N/A

annual recurring cost: N/A

budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): N/A

revenue agreement: N/A

AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes

CEO Liaison: Sara McBurney, Deputy CEO                                                               

CEO Review: Yes                                            

CEO Comments:

 

FOR COB USE ONLY

Executed By: Deputy Clerk

Final Status: Item Status

Date: Date Executed

Executed Item Type: item

 

Number: