RESOLUTION NO. -2026
RESOLUTION OF THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL AMENDING
THE LAND USE ELEMENT (GPA 3-26) OF THE FORT BRAGG COASTAL GENERAL PLAN TO MEET REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 2027 HOUSING ELEMENT CYCLE
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Bragg (“City”) adopted its first General Plan in 1971, and the General Plan was subsequently updated in 1980 and 2002 and 2004; 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 Coastal General Plan includes policies to: (1) advance the orderly growth and development of the City’s Coastal Zone; (2) protect coastal resources; (3) incorporate sustainability into the development process so that Fort Bragg’s coastal resources and amenities are preserved for future generations; (4) respond to current environmental and infrastructure constraints; (5) protect the public health, safety and welfare; and (6) promote fiscally responsible development; and WHEREAS, the California Department of Housing & Community Development (“HCD”) And the Mendocino Council of Governments have developed a new Regional Housing Needs Assessment to the City of Fort Bragg of 668 units for the 2027 Housing Element cycle; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Bragg would not be able to achieve the RHNA goal with current limitations on the development of Multifamily Housing in commercial zoning districts; WHEREAS, the Planning Commission considered a staff report dated August 26, 2026 regarding the proposed Land Use Element Amendment. The staff report is incorporated herein by reference and available for review at City Hall during normal business hours; and WHEREAS, the City Council considered a staff report September 14, 2026 regarding the proposed Land Use Element Amendment; and WHEREAS, the Land Use Element Amendment is incorporated herein by reference, and is available for review at City Hall during normal business hours; and WHEREAS, The project is exempt from CEQA, as the “activities and approvals by a local government necessary for the preparation and adoption of a local coastal program or long range development plan” pursuant to the California Coastal Act are statutorily exempt from compliance with CEQA, and this statutory exemption “shifts the burden of CEQA compliance from the local agency to the California Coastal Commission (CEQA Guidelines § 15265 (c)); and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on September 14, 2026, to consider the zoning amendments, accept public testimony; and adopted a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the mandatory zoning amendments to implement programs of the City’s Housing Element.
WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on September 14, 2026, to consider the Zoning Amendment, accept public testimony; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Fort Bragg City Council, 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 Inland General Plan; the Inland Land Use and Development Code; the Project application; all reports and public testimony submitted as part of the City Council meeting of September 14, 2026 and City Council deliberations; and any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §21080(e) and §21082.2), the Fort Bragg City Council does hereby make the following findings and determinations:
SECTION 1: LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS
The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Ordinance.
On August 26, 2026, the Planning Commission held a properly noticed public hearing and adopted a resolution in support of the City Council’s adoption of the proposed amendments to the Land Use Element Amendment.
On September 14, 2026 the City Council held a properly noticed public hearing to consider adoption of the amendments to the Land Use Element Amendment.
The proposed General Plan amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City as the amendments will make the zoning code consistent with adopted State laws; and The proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan.
The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City.
The proposed amendment is mandated by State Law as such it is in the public interest and will provide for better convenience and welfare for the residents of the City of Fort Bragg. The proposed amendment requires conformance with all applicable building codes which will ensure healthy and safe housing.
The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Development Code.
SECTION 2. Based on the foregoing, the City Council does hereby Amend the Land Use Element G. Commercial and Industrial Land Use Designation as follows:
Central Business District (CBD) This designation applies to the core of the downtown which is the civic, cultural, and commercial center of the community. Uses and site development patterns in the Central Business District are typically pedestrian-oriented. This designation is intended to accommodate government and professional offices, retail stores, theaters, and other similar uses. Residential uses on upper floors or on the ground floor at the rear of buildings are encouraged at a density of up to 40 units per net acre.
Neighborhood Commercial (CN) This designation provides small-scale, convenience shopping and services for surrounding residential neighborhoods. Retail and service businesses such as grocery stores, laundromats, restaurants, beauty salons, and similar types of uses are allowed in this designation. Residential uses are permitted as part of a mixed-use project or as a multifamily project at a maximum density of up to 12 units per acre.
General Commercial (CG). The General Commercial designation is intended for a less compact and intensive type of development than found in the Central Business District. Typical land uses in this designation depend more on vehicular than pedestrian access and include automotive and service-related outlets, retail sales, hardware, paint or carpeting sales, offices, apparel stores, and food stores. Shopping centers are allowed with approval of a conditional use permit. Residential uses are permitted as part of a mixed-use project or as a multifamily project above the ground floor or on the ground floor at the rear of buildings at a maximum density of up to 24 units per acre.
Highway Visitor Commercial (CH) This land use designation applies to land uses serving residents and visitors on sites which are located along Highway One and arterials at the entry points to the community. Typical uses allowed in this designation include motels and other lodging enterprises, restaurants, and retail outlets. Residential uses are permitted as part of a mixed-use project above the ground floor or on the ground floor at the rear of buildings at a maximum density of up to 24 units per acre.
Office Commercial (CO) This designation is intended to serve the office and institutional needs of the community and permits such uses as professional offices, hospitals, medical clinics, and banks. Commercial uses supportive of the office and institutional uses, such as blueprint and copy shops, cafés and restaurants, pharmacies, and similar retail establishments are permitted. Residential uses are permitted as part of a mixed-use project or as a multifamily project above the ground floor or on the ground floor at the rear of buildings at a maximum density of up to 24 units per acre.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Fort Bragg Planning Commission does hereby recommend that the City Council submit LCP Amendment 2-26 to the Coastal Commission; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and certification by the Coastal Commission.
The above and foregoing Resolution was introduced by Councilmember , seconded by Councilmember , and passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fort Bragg held on the 14th day of September, 2026, by the following vote:
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JASON GODEKE, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Diana Paoli
City Clerk
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