RESOLUTION NO. PC12-2025
RESOLUTION OF THE FORT BRAGG PLANNING
COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
ADOPT:
a) An Ordinance Amending Division 17 of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code (CLUDC 2-25) to Amend Chapter 17.71.050 - Design Review to Make Design Review for Multifamily Projects a Ministerial Process Subject to Objective Requirements Per the Housing Accountability Act; and
b) An Ordinance Amending Division 18 of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code (ILUDC 5-25) to Amend Chapter 18.71.050 - Design Review to Make Design Review for Multifamily Projects a Ministerial Process Subject to Objective Requirements Per the Housing Accountability Act; and
c) A Resolution Adopting Objective Multifamily Design Review Requirements for the Citywide Design Guidelines.
WHEREAS, California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, enables the City of Fort Bragg (the "City") to enact local planning and land use regulations; and WHEREAS, the authority to adopt and enforce zoning regulations is an exercise of the City's police power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Bragg ('City") adopted a General Plan in 2002 which established policies for all lands within Fort Bragg city limits and its sphere of influence; and WHEREAS, the City adopted a Coastal General Plan ("Coastal GP") as the Land Use Plan portion of the Local Coastal Program on May 12, 2008 which established policies for all land within the Fort Bragg Coastal Zone; and
WHEREAS, in August 2008 the California Coastal Commission certified the City's Local Coastal Program (LCP) which includes the Coastal GP as the Land Use Plan; and WHEREAS, the availability of housing is a substantial concern for individuals of all demographics, ages, and economic backgrounds in communities throughout the State of California; and
WHEREAS, City Council's 2024-2028 Strategic Plan includes the goal of adding 200+ housing units by 2026; and
WHEREAS, Housing affordability has become a significant challenge, and many residents find it increasingly difficult to purchase and/or rent a home; and WHEREAS, The community faces a shortage of both rental and for-sale properties, driven in part by Fort Bragg's growing appeal as a place to live, retire, and work; and WHEREAS, On October 15, 2024, City Council directed staff to obtain Pro-Housing Designation from the State and the City Council directed staff to implement the following Pro-Housing policy "Replace subjective development and design standards with objective development and design standards that simplify zoning clearance and improve approval certainty and timing; and
WHEREAS, the project is exempt from CEQA under the "Common Sense Exemption" (Section 15061b3); and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on May 28, 2025, to consider the Zoning Amendments and the proposed changes to the multifamily design review criteria in the Citywide Design Guidelines, accept public testimony; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Fort Bragg Planning Commission, based on the entirety of the record before it, which includes without limitation, CEQA, Public Resources Code §21000, et seq. and the CEQA Guidelines, 14 California Code of Regulations §15000, et seq.; the Fort Bragg Coastal General Plan; the Fort Bragg Coastal Land Use and Development Code; the Project application; all reports and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission meeting of May 28, 2025 and Planning Commission deliberations; and any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §21080(e) and §21082.2), the Planning Commission of the City of Fort Bragg does hereby make the following findings and determinations:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED pursuant to Fort Bragg Municipal Code Section 17.94.040 and Section 17.94.060 the following findings are the Planning Commissions reasons for recommending amendments to the Fort Bragg Coastal Land Use and Development Code:
a. The proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan; and
b. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City.
c. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Development Code.
d. The documents and other material constituting the record for these proceedings are located at the Community Development Department, and
e. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED pursuant to Fort Bragg Municipal Code Section 18.94.040 and Section 18.94.060 the following findings are the Planning Commissions reasons for recommending amendments to the Fort Bragg Inland Land Use and Development Code:
a. The proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan; and
b. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City.
c. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Development Code.
d. The documents and other material constituting the record for these proceedings are located at the Community Development Department, and
e. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Fort Bragg Planning Commission finds that:
a. The project is exempt from CEQA under the "Common Sense Exemption" (Section 15061b3); and
b. The documents and other material constituting the record for these proceedings are
located at the Community Development Department, and
c. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Resolution; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Fort Bragg Planning Commission does hereby recommend the City Council adopt:
1. An Ordinance Amending Division 17 of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code (CLUDC 2- 25) to Amend Chapter 17.71.050 - Design Review to Make Design Review for Multifamily Projects a Ministerial Process Subject to Objective Requirements Per the Housing Accountability Act; and
2. An Ordinance Amending Division 18 of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code (ILUDC 5- 25) to Amend Chapter 18.71.050 - Design Review to Make Design Review for Multifamily Projects a Ministerial Process Subject to Objective Requirements Per the Housing Accountability Act; and
3. A Resolution Adopting Objective Multifamily Design Review Requirements for the Citywide Design Guidelines.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.
The above and foregoing Resolution was introduced by Planning Commissioner Stavely seconded by Planning Commissioner Neils, and passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Fort Bragg held on the 28th day of May 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: Stavely, Turner, Neils.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Bushnell, Jensen.
ABSTAIN: None.
RECUSE: None.
- Signed by:
Richard Mils
FEACB7878F224DF.
Richard Neils, Acting Chair
ATTEST:
Cutal mos
Community Development Department Staff