From: [email protected]
To: Whippy, Isaac; City Clerk
Subject: 1151 South Main Street
Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 12:37:04 PM
Hi Isaac,
I hope you are doing well.
I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed multi-family rental project being considered for the lot located at 1151 South Main Street.
This site is very close to Harbor RV Park (HRP), and I am worried about the potential issues that arise with high-density residential living.
I am also concerned about the increased traffic and how it will affect the frontage roads that our tenants and guests use.
Additionally, I do not understand how a 3-story building is being considered when HRP is not permitted to build fences taller than 6’ because it obstructs the view.
I have also heard mention that there will be commercial space on the ground-level of the buildings. Seeing as there are many existing commercial spaces that are vacant, it doesn’t make any sense to allow more to be built.
I noticed that the percentage of low-income units increased from 11 to 15, which makes me wonder whether that number will continue to increase if this project is approved.
I am opposed to this new construction, and I am hopeful that the City will not permit it.
Sincerely,
Natalee
Natalee Forystek
Owner, Harbor RV Park
(707) 696-5085
From: Teresa Skarr
To: City Clerk
Cc: Dave Skarr
Subject: Coastal Development Permit 8-24
Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 2:54:59 PM
Dear Ms. Paoli,
We are hereby submitting written comments on the above-named permit application and related applications regarding the proposed housing development at 1151 S. Main St.
During the Planning Commission discussion on March 12, 2025, some of the Commissioners explained that under current California housing laws, they are unable to reject a housing development application except under certain circumstances, including health and safety concerns. However, they all voted to recommend the project despite numerous safety concerns that were not addressed with special conditions.
Following are some of the key safety concerns which were discussed in public comments on March 12:
1. The intersection of Harbor Ave. and Ocean View Dr. is a traffic and pedestrian safety hazard.
While facing south at the stop sign on Harbor Ave., it is not possible to see west-bound cars on Ocean View Drive until just before they pass the intersection.
The staff report for this application on page 34 estimates approximately 200 residents in the proposed development. Even if only 3/4 of those residents have cars, and even assuming that no visitors ever come to the development, there would be over 150 new cars using the roads around the development and 50+ cars parking outside of the development’s parking lot on surface streets, including Harbor Ave.
The increase in traffic and parked cars that would be brought on by the proposed development, especially at commute times in the mornings and after school, will cause cars to back up on Harbor Avenue, will cause unsafe traffic flow through private RV park driveways on the northeast end of Harbor Ave. and will compound and increase the risks at this intersection with Ocean View Drive.
Contrary to the claim in Ms. Jones’ presentation at the March 12 hearing, the previous traffic study to support the prior AutoZone retail permit application would neither be applicable nor sufficient to ensure safety of traffic flow for this large residential development. In addition to the design differences of the buildings, parking lots and driveways, the uses and timing of traffic and parked cars are very different, and there will likely be higher numbers of young pedestrians present in and around the proposed residential development. All of the differences would create an increased safety hazard for the residential development compared with the previously proposed retail store.
The special condition suggested by Ms. Jones to place a “Keep Area Clear” sign at this intersection is so inadequate as to be laughable.
2. The placement of the proposed parking lot, dozens of cars that would now be parking on Harbor Ave. and garbage dumpsters on the west side of the proposed development could cause pollutants to leach into ground and cause serious health and safety risks for the residential wells and residents to the west of the proposed development.
The holes drilled down into the lot for the previous development of the AutoZone as described by Mr. Burnett during his public comments on March 12 would increase the flow of chemical and liquid pollutants deep into the ground, creating health and safety hazards for the drinking water wells just west of the proposed development.
The mesh trash collection devices described by Ms. O’Neal at the front of the drains would not prevent chemical, heavy metal or liquid pollutants from the garbage dumpsters and cars from flowing into the ground. It is also unclear who would be responsible for clearing the devices. If these devices are installed and neglected, they would cause greater potential flooding and pooling of residues with increased potential to leach underground.
The stormwater flow described by Ms. O’Neal as being south to the intersection of Harbor Ave and Ocean View Dr. would be blocked by the lack of maintenance of the culvert at that location described by Mr. Burnett during the March 12 public hearing. This would increase the potential for the liquid and chemical hazardous substances leaching down into the ground on the west side of Harbor Ave.
Both the Staff Report and comments by Ms. O’Neal during the March 12 hearing were unclear regarding the flow of stormwater after it’s channeled south. At first Ms. O’Neal said it would then be channeled west, and later she described it being channeled south and east. If it will be channeled west, there are concerns for Todd’s Point residents beyond Harbor Ave. who also have wells.
There is no evidence the developer or City considered the potential impact of the proposed development on nearby drinking wells, even after these concerns were raised at the March 12 hearing.
3. The site lacks appropriate space for school bus pickup and also lacks support for safe bus turnaround and traffic flow.
The applicant’s suggestion that a school bus stop be placed on the west side of the unnamed Frontage Road would require school buses to attempt to turn left onto Ocean View Drive from the Unnamed Frontage Road just prior to the intersection with Highway 1.
There is inadequate space for southbound cars to turn east at that intersection when there are any eastbound cars waiting to turn north from Ocean View Drive onto Highway 1. With the increase in traffic that the proposed development will cause and the longer length of a school bus, there is no safe way for buses to turn left there. And if they do attempt it, there is a high likelihood that the bus will block cars traveling west on Ocean View Drive and cause traffic and pedestrian safety hazards.
The fact that all five of the Planning Commissioners voted in favor of this development without mitigation of these serious health and safety concerns impugns their effectiveness and causes us to wonder why they have jurisdiction over any residential permit applications.
We strongly urge the City Council to reject the proposed application on the basis of the serious health and safety hazards posed by this development.
Sincerely,
Teresa Skarr
Dave Skarr
From: City of Fort Bragg
To: Paoli, Diana
Subject: 3 story new build.
Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 9:15:20 PM
Message submitted from the <Fort Bragg, CA> website.
Site Visitor Name: Joni Goble
Site Visitor Email: [email protected]
I do not agree that a 3 story building should be put on the proposed site. Hwy 1.
From: Diane Swingle
To: City Clerk
Subject: Todd"s Point construction
Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 5:59:25 PM
To all City Council members;
This is my vote against the proposed 3 story building to the west of Emerald Dolphin Inn.
I don't think 3 stories fits with the town's rural identity. Nothing that high should be west of hwy 1 to disrupt the view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Too much has been obscured already. In response before the comment is even made... there is no danger in being able to glimpse the ocean while driving.
I understand these will not be owner occupied, which may include tenants who don't have respect for their place of residence, nor the surrounding area. I've had rentals for many years and have experienced first hand how much damage can be done by tenants.
This would be a bad precedence to start and most likely have a negative impact on south Fort Bragg.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Swingle
Virus-free.www.avg.com
From: Hank Apodaca
To: City Clerk
Subject: Monday, March 24, 2025 Town Hall - Reject proposal of 3 story apartments Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025 10:29:29 AM
Dear City Clerk,
I am a resident in the proposed area, 19251 Cliff Way.
This project would create Major Traffic Congestion for Ocean View, Dolphin hotel, Mendocino College and all the residents
of Pomo / Todds Point.
The only way this could possibly work is if access from Ocean View Dr be Closed.
Entry and exit for the apartments would only be from Hwy 1 where lights could be installed if needed.
I very strongly reject the apartment project.
Thank you,
Hank Apodaca
From: Hamid Zarrabi
To: City Clerk
Subject: City Council Hearing 3/24/2025
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025 11:00:27 AM
Date: March 20, 2025
Ref: City Council Hearing March 24, 2025
Dear Council members,
If you would read the report for the proposed apartment complex at 1151 South Main Street in its entirely, as I have, you would find that it includes erroneous and misleading information.
Example, installation of sidewalk, curb and gutter on the south side of “Kemppe Way. Where is Kemppe Way in reference to this project? Another example, the report states that this project will have no impact on special community or neighborhood. I find this to be misleading. the list can go on.
Even though it was obvius during the Planning Commission meeting That Todd’s Point is a thorn on the city of Fort Bragg’s side, I must insist that as one of the residents on Harbor Avenue, which will be mostly impacted by this project, I am concerned about the safety and well being of the mentioned residents and our properties. Therefore I am requesting the following changes and/or improvements.
1. Due to the fact that I believe the noise generation information impacting the residents on Harbor Avenue is inconclusive, we request a six feet tall sound wall be erected between the project site and Harbor Avenue.
2. Trash enclosures be moved to the east side of the proposed project apartment in order to protect the residents on Harbor Avenue from noise, odors, insects and rodents.
3. The parking lot light poles to be reduced in hight from 16 feet to 12 feet in order to reduce the spillover of the light onto properties on Harbor Avenue.
4. According to the report, Harbor Avenue will be paved with sidewalk, curb and gutter installed only along the parcel boundaries and ONLY on the east side of this road. There will be a 17 feet of the road, on the west side, which will stay as gravel and grass. I strongly suggest that “No Parking At Any Time” signs be posted along the west side of Harbor Avenue in order to protect our wells, which are adjacent to this area of the road, from parked vehicles contamination. I might add that this request was brought up at the Planning Commission meeting and it was found to be amusing to the consultant and some of the staffs members. I do not think contaminating the drinking water of the residents should be a laughing matter.
5. This report does not mention or address the impact this project will have on the residents of Harbor Avenue during the construction of the complex. I most strongly suggest that the applicant adhere to all the requirements and regulations set forth in the Coastal Land Use and Development Code during excavation and building. This I must ask in order to protect our neighborhood against the dangerous conditions such as air pollution, noise pollution, hazardous materials contamination and traffic. I also would like to add that if there is any contamination or damage to my property from this project I will hold the city responsible.
Sincerely
Hamid Zarrabi