CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
MAYOR ISAIAH WRIGHT MAYOR PRO TEM CANDACE TINKLEI
COUNCIL MEMBER RAY ALTMAN COUNCIL MEMBER JASON GREENOUGI
COUNCIL MEMBER STEVE SHAMBLIN
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
FLYNN CENTER BOARD CHAMBERS
981 H STREET
CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14, 2026 5:30 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Call to order Mayor Wright called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Mayor Pro Tem Candace Tinkler, and Mayor Isaiah Wright
Council Member absent: Council Member Steve Shamblin and Council Member Jason Greenough
Staff members present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice (via Zoom), City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Altman, Contract Planner Ethan Lawton, Contract Planner, Public Works Director Dave Yeager and Police Chief Richard Griffin
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Wright
PUBLIC HEARING
1. APPEAL OF VARIANCE PERMIT (APPLICATION VAR25-01) FOR DEVELOPMENT AT 511 8th STREET (APN 118-230-003)
DESCRIPTION OF VARIANCES REQUESTED: Reduced rear yard setback, reduced exterior side yard setback, parking waiver for one additional unit to back over the sidewalk POSSIBLE ACTION:
• Motion to grant the Variance Permit (Application VAR25-01) with conditions and adopt Resolution No. 2026-02, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Crescent City (or as amended by the City Council); or
• Motion to deny the Variance Permit (Application VAR25-01); or • Motion to continue the hearing to receive additional information and provide direction to staff
Mayor Wright opened the public hearing at 5:31 p.m.
City Attorney Rice explained the background of the project as well as the appeal process and the role of the City Council. SHN Contract Planner Ethan Lawton addressed the Council and explained the setbacks and the process the Planning Commission took to approve the project.
This application was for a variance permit that went before the Planning Commission in a public hearing. Mr. Lawton stated that this project is consistent with the General Plan. This is consistent with other residential dwellings in the area. No conditional use permit is required. The variances were requested because of the rear setback being reduced from 10 feet to 5, and the side setback from 10 feet to 8 feet 4 inches. Mayor Pro Tem Tinkler asked for clarification on the height of the 1 Page
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building; Mr. Lawton stated that it will be a 2-story building. Ardette Esselstrom, appellant, addressed the Council stating that since her emails were caught in a spam filter and she stated she has not been able to be fully prepared for this meeting since she wasn't able to receive the documents she requested. City Attorney Rice stated that this hearing is not subject to formal discovery or strict evidentiary standards. Since Ms. Esselstrom submitted a public records request that was quite extensive, it will take the City some time to compile all the records. There is no legal reason why the hearing cannot continue based on the fact that Ms. Esselstrom didn't get the documents she requested before the meeting. Applicant, Sam Schauerman of Elk Creek Builders was present to answer any questions the Council may have. Mayor Pro Tem Tinkler asked about landscaping and how that would be approved; Planner Lawton stated that the requirement for open space is for 5 units or more. Since this is a 4 unit project, the landscaping requirements are minimal.
There were no comments from the public.
Mayor Wright closed the public hearing at 6:11 p.m.
On a motion by Council Member Altman, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tinkler, and carried on a 3-0 polled vote with Council Member Shamblin being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City Motion to grant the Variance Permit (Application VAR25-01) with conditions and adopt Resolution No. 2026-02, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Crescent City
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting at 6:14 p.m. to the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Flynn Center Board Chambers, 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
ATTEST:
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Robin Altman, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
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