To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Planning and Building Services and Executive Office
Meeting Date: March 10, 2026
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Department Contact: |
Julia Krog |
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707-234-6650 |
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Department Contact: |
Darcie Antle |
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707-463-4441 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 15 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Possible Direction to Staff Regarding Consideration of Establishing a Community Facilities District for the Maintenance of the Bella Vista Subdivision Neighborhood and Linear Parks and Landscaping
(Sponsors: Planning and Building Services and Executive Office)
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Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Provide direction to staff regarding consideration of establishing a Community Facilities District for the maintenance of the Bella Vista Subdivision Neighborhood and Linear Parks and Landscaping.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On April 11, 2023, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors approved the Bella Vista Subdivision Project. Conditions of approval required the establishment of either a Homeowners Association or “other oversight instrument as approved by the County”.
On December 3, 2024, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors directed staff to continue researching the feasibility of establishing a Community Facilities District in-lieu of a Homeowners Association for the Traditional Neighborhood in the Bella Vista Subdivision Project.
On February 3, 2026, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors approved modifications to the Bella Vista Subdivision Project. Conditions of approval required the establishment of either a Homeowners Association or “other oversight instrument as approved by the County”. During that meeting the Board requested that the Community Facilities District discussion come back to the Board as soon as possible including consideration of joining the Statewide Community Infrastructure Program (“SCIP”).
Summary of Request:
The Bella Vista Subdivision Project includes two neighborhoods - the Senior Neighborhood and the Traditional Neighborhood. The Senior Neighborhood will have a Homeowners Association. However, when the Board of Supervisors approved the Bella Vista Subdivision Project in 2023 and modified the approval in 2026, conditions of approval required the establishment of either a Homeowners Association or “other oversight instrument as approved by the County” for the Traditional Neighborhood.
The Developer for the project has been in communication with the County requesting that the County establish a Community Facilities District (CFD) for the traditional neighborhood instead of a Homeowners Association (HOA). The proposed CFD would establish a funding mechanism for maintenance of the parks (linear and neighborhood) as well as landscaping strips. Under the CFD, a public agency would become responsible for ownership and maintenance of defined areas. The neighborhood park includes certain park amenities including a play structure and was proposed by the original developer to be a park open to the general public.
The Developer has stated that the costs to a homeowner are lessened when a Community Facilities District is established as opposed to a Homeowners Association, but no definitive numbers have been prepared for the Bella Vista project specifically. Absent definitive numbers with backup material, County staff is unable to confirm to the Board that a Community Facilities District will in fact be a more cost-effective option for the future property owners in the Bella Vista Subdivision.
When the Board originally discussed this concept in 2024, the City of Ukiah expressed interest in taking on the responsibility of the actual maintenance provided the County sets up a Community Facilities District to fund the cost of providing such services. Since that time the City has not formally or definitively committed to such responsibility. If the City does not commit to providing such services, it would become the responsibility of the County to maintain the parks and landscaping and/or contract for such services.
In considering establishing a Community Facilities District, the Board may want to consider the proposed impacts to the County related to ownership of real property, including additional liability concerns, and the staff time that may be required in forming and operating a new district. The actual costs to homeowners would be established as part of the Community Facilities District formation process but as noted above those costs and any cost savings are currently unknown. If costs established under the CFD do not keep up with expenses over time, maintenance and repair of these areas can become the responsibility of the General Fund unless property owners agree to pay increased costs.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Provide Direction to staff.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Thriving Economy
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: Developer |
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current f/y cost: Unknown |
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budget clarification: Developer is willing to sign an at-cost reimbursement agreement for County staff time and consultant time spent on establishing Community Facilities District. |
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annual recurring cost: Currently unknown |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): N/A |
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revenue agreement: N/A |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes
CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Direction Given to Staff |
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Date: March 10, 2026 |
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