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RESOLUTION NO. PC 09-2026
RESOLUTION OF THE FORT BRAGG PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND THE FORT
BRAGG INLAND AND COASTAL GENERAL PLAN AND THE INLAND
AND COASTAL ZONING CODES TO MEET REGIONAL HOUSING
NEEDS ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 2027 HOUSING
ELEMENT CYCLE
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 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, an EIR addendum has been prepared for the amendment which has determined that the amendment would not result in any significant environmental effects; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on August 26, 2026, to consider the Housing Element Amendment; 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 Docusign Envelope ID: BD3EF045-68DF-8A80-80A2-E90F1EBE8F97 2 | Page PC Reso RENA Amendment
Coastal Land Use and Development Code; the Project application; all reports and public testimony submitted as part of the Planning Commission meeting of August 26, 2026, 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 the following findings are the Planning Commissions reasons for recommending amendments to the Fort Bragg Land Use Elements of the Coastal General Plan and the Inland General Plan:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct.
2. 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 Inland Land Use and Development Code.
3. 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
4.The proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan.
5.The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City.
6. The proposed amendment 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.
7. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Development Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the following findings are the Planning Commissions reasons for recommending amendments to the Coastal and Inland Land Use and Development Code:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Ordinance; and
2. On August 26, 2026, the Planning Commission held properly noticed public hearings to consider recommending the proposed amendment to the Coastal Land Use and Development Code to the Fort Bragg City Council for adoption and adopted a resolution in support of the City Council’s adoption of the amendment to the ILUDC pursuant to Gov. Code Section 65355.
3. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City as it intends amendments to Docusign Envelope ID: BD3EF045-68DF-8A80-80A2-E90F1EBE8F97 3 | Page PC Reso RENA Amendment
be consistent with recently adopted State laws; and
4. The proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan Policies and Programs,
5. The proposed amendments are internally consistent with other applicable provisions of the Coastal and Inland Land Use Development Code,
6. The LCP amendment is exempt from CEQA per section 15265 (c); and the ILUDC is exempt from CEQA per the Commonsense Exemption (15061.b.3); and an EIR Addendum has been prepared for the Inland General Plan Amendment and found that the project would not have a significant effect on the environment.
7. The documents and other material constituting the record for these proceedings are located at the Community Development Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Fort Bragg Planning Commission does hereby recommend the City Council adopt:
1. A RESOLUTION OF THE FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE LAND USE ELEMENT (GPA 2-26) OF THE FORT BRAGG INLAND GENERAL PLAN
TO MEET REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 2027 HOUSING ELEMENT CYCLE
2. 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
3. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 18 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE (ILUDC 1-26) TO:
a. Amend Title 18.22.020 - Purposes of Commercial Zoning Districts and Title
18.22.050 - Commercial District Site Planning and Building Standards to allow multifamily development and set minimum densities for multifamily and mixed-use projects.
b. Amend 18.100.060 – Multifamily Definition to apply to the number of units on a parcel rather than the particular building type of those units.
4. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 17 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE (CLUDC 4-26) TO:
a. Amend Title 17.22.020 - Purposes of Commercial Zoning Districts and Title
17.22.050 - Commercial District Site Planning and Building Standards to allow multifamily development and set minimum densities for multifamily and mixed-use projects.
b. Amend 17.100.060 – Multifamily Definition to apply to the number of units on a parcel rather than the particular building type of those units 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 Commissioner Neils Docusign Envelope ID: BD3EF045-68DF-8A80-80A2-E90F1EBE8F97 4 | Page PC Reso RENA Amendment
seconded by Commissioner Turner, and passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Fort Bragg held on the 26th day of August 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Stavely, Turner, Neils, and Jensen
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Bushnell
ABSTAIN: None.
RECUSE: None.
David Jensen, Chair
ATTEST:
Lisa Horstman, Administrative Assistant
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